Frequently Asked Health Questions of First Year Students

What is required on the heatlh history?

Immunization Information: Complete page 3 of the health history form or attache your immunization certificate

MMR (measles, mumps, rubeola): Two injections, the first must be at age 12 months or older, the second anytime after. If the first MMR was given before the age of 12 months an antibody titre is necessary to verify immune status.

TB skin test: Within past three months; only necessary if you are from a high risk country; these are specified on your health history.

Tetanus Booster (Td or TdaP): Within past 10 years.

Varicella Vaccine if student has never had chickenpox. Chickenpox can be very serious when contracted as an adult.

Waivers for immunizations are accepted in rare circumstances such as history of severe allergy to the vaccines. You must notify Parson's student health center of the reason and sign the waiver form.

Completely filled out health history: Pages 1,2,4, of health history and immunization information on page 3 or an attached copy of the immunization certificate. Please return by July 15, 2008.

The physical exam by a Doctor is recommended but not required . If one is done the physician fills in page three of your health form. If you get a Drs. Appt. after July 15, 2008 when the health form is due, you need to mail in the form with pg. 1,2,4, and the immunization information completed, you can then mail a copy of the physical when it is done, or fax it to 859-238-5380.

Permission to treat is on page 4 and must be signed by the student if age 18 or older, or by the parent if student is not yet age 18.

Insurance information: If possible please send a copy of your insurance card front and back. This is better than filling in the information on page one. The local hospital does not accept Humana. If x-rays or blood work are needed when ill every effort will be made to have this done where these insurances are accepted. If the student does not have insurance, a reasonably priced plan is available through The Tri-State College Student Accident and Sickness Insurance Plan. To request a brochure you can call the local respresentative at 1-800-228-6768 or visit www.studentplanscenter.com and select Centre College.

What if the student fails to provide the required information?
Registration will be blocked in November for the following semester until required forms are received.

Immunizations: Are there others that are highly recommended?
Yes, the American College Health Association recommends all students be informed of the benefits of immunization against hepatitis B and meningitis. Talk with your physician for his/her recommendation. Cost for these vaccines at Centre are: Meningitis is a single injection for $92; Hepatitis B is a series of three shots for $30 each. Again, these vaccines are not required. Students may also choose to be vaccinated for Hepatitis A for $20 each. This is recommended for travel to certain areas.

Special Health Problems: Do I need to speak to the nurse about this?
Parsons Student Health Center is closed during summer months but the secretary or nurse will be in twice weekly to check email (marsha.edelen@centre.edu) and return phone messages(859-238-5530). Please let us know if the student has a chronic health condition that will require care or accommodation. If the health problem will require special housing please talk to Ann Young , Director of Housing in the Student Life Office, 859-238-5480 immediately.

Parsons Student Health Center has daily weekday clinics for one hour four days per week, staffed by Family Practice Physicians. Registered Nurses are available from 7:30 a.m.-4p.m. during the day.

There is no charge to be seen by the Doctors or nurses. Allergy shots can be given during the physician clinics at no charge. There is a charge for prescription medications dispensed from our small pharmacy. These costs can be billed to the student account. There is also a charge for testing done such as urinalysis, mono. and strep tests. If further lab tests are required, these are done at the hospital, and will be billed to the student's insurance.

Please tell your son/daughter to try to be seen at Parsons Student Health instead of the Emergency Room (ER) because it will be much less costly. Another option is to be seen at the Weekend Walk-in Clinic which is open 8A-6P Saturday and 9am-6pm Sunday. This is also considerably less expensive than the ER. Lab Work, x-rays, sutures, and IVs can be done at the Weekend Walk-in Clinic.

Mental Health/Substance Abuse Counseling: What is available through Centre?
Centre College students have two options available for free and confidential counseling. Kathy Miles is the Director of Counseling Services, and her office is located in Parsons. Appointments can be made by calling (859) 238-5740. The campus counseling office is not open during summer break, but voice mail messages may be left at that number, or directed to kathy.miles@centre.edu . Students may also receive counseling off campus by calling Comprehensive Care Center at (859) 236-2726. It is located near campus within walking distance at 650 High Street . Students with an afterhours counseling emergency may call the 24-hour Comprehensive Care Center crisis line at 1-800-926-8000.

Students are urged to have prescriptions for the treatment of mental health issues prescribed by their private physician. Psychiatrists at Comprehensive Care Center can prescribe medications for mental health issues, including ADHD medications. Parsons Health physicians prescribe some mental health medications, but do not prescribe ADHD medications for Centre students. Arrangements to have any of these prescriptions filled may be made by calling Hall Pharmacy at (859) 236-1442, or other local pharmacies. Hall Pharmacy will work with Centre students to bill medication costs to parents, if requested.