UMass Boston

With the UMass Boston school insurance, you can seek care at University Health Services (UHS) or any healthcare facility both in Massachusetts or outside the state (see below regarding in and out-of-network providers). Keep your insurance card with you at all times in case it is needed.

The General Medicine phone line (617-287-5660) is a 24-hour phone line - if we are closed (such as at night, on weekends, or holidays) there is a nurse on-call who can advise you if you should be seen in the emergency room or wait until UHS is open again.

Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts Insurance Plan

Wellfleet Student Insurance Plan

University Health Plans shares an extensive list of commonly used terms. 

Glossary of Health Coverage and Medical Terms

In the US, certain medications, such as antibiotics and birth control pills, must be obtained from a doctor who writes a prescription. The procedure is that a health care provider writes a prescription that goes to the pharmacist who dispenses the medication. You will need your insurance card at the pharmacy to help pay for the medicine. Pharmacists cannot prescribe medications, only fill prescriptions. American pharmacies are often referred to as “drugstores,” though they may look more like convenience stores or small supermarkets with separate areas where you can pick up your prescriptions. Common drugstore chains in Massachusetts include OSCO, CVS, Rite Aid, and Walgreens.

Many  “over-the-counter” products in the US may have different names from what you are used to at home. "Over-the-counter” (OTC) refers to things you do not need a prescription for. For example, cotton buds or cotton swabs are often referred to by the brand name Q-Tip. If you ask for an adhesive bandage, you will be directed to the Band-Aids. Similarly, many common, over-the-counter medicines will be sold under different brand names in the US.

You can look up the international drug name and see if there is a US equivalent here. There are drugs that exist in the US that do not exist in other countries and vice versa.