University Health Services Expands Care to Faculty and Staff

By Ed Hayward

Faculty and staff can now see a nurse practitioner at University Health Services (UHS) for a fee of just $20 per visit. Under a new program launched to promote a healthier campus, employees can get care faster and eliminate the time and cost of driving to a provider off-campus.

UMass Boston's 2,642 employees can make appointments for the treatment of symptoms ranging from colds, flu, ear and sinus infections, bronchitis, urinary tract infections, and gastroenteritis, said Kathleen Golden McAndrew, executive director of UHS, located on the second floor of the Quinn Administration Building.

"The whole focus is that we want to do what we can to make the campus healthy," said Golden McAndrew. "Given what is going on in the community and in health care in general, we know some people who call their provider's office for episodic care can wait two days to a week for an appointment."
The goal is to provide same-day services, but health services asks that faculty and staff call to make an appointment. The $20 fee is payable by check, cash, or major credit card. There is no third-party billing, Golden McAndrew said.

Health services officials hope providing episodic care on campus can offer a consumer-friendly health care alternative by cutting down on time spent waiting to get an appointment, eliminating the need to leave work, and cutting down on drive time and extra parking expenses.

"The experience was great,'' said UMass Boston employee Kathleen Malloy. "I needed a cholesterol test. The services were quick and easy, friendly and convenient. It was so much easier than taking time off work to travel to my doctor's office."

Medical Director Pat Halon said faculty and staff should know there is no referral required. "Most people have the impression that if they have an HMO they have to go to their doctor first,'' said Halon. "But we don't do third-party billing, so this has no effect on the relationship or costs connected to your primary care provider."

UHS will also do blood work ordered by your primary care provider. A list of required labs from the patient's doctor is all that's required. For a $10 phlebotomy fee, all blood work is sent to Quest Diagnostics, which will bill the patient's insurance company.

The new episodic care program started this semester in response to requests in the past from faculty and staff for health services on campus. UHS is a trust-funded department paid for predominantly through student health fees. Therefore, UHS must charge the modest $20 fee to cover costs of faculty and staff care.

Golden McAndrew said episodic care can ensure that all parts of the campus population are able to receive some kind of treatment.

"You can't just treat one part of the campus and expect the other parts not to need help. You have to try to treat all groups, because we're all working together in the same buildings," said Golden McAndrew.

If employees can be seen faster and learn just what their symptoms mean, then that can ultimately reduce exposure to co-workers and students.

As of May 1, UHS will operate Travelwell, which will provide pre- and post-travel counseling. University students and staff planning foreign travel this summer can receive help with destination information, health and safety concerns, immunizations, and travel medical kits. For more information, contact 7-5661.

Image: Cynthia Williams of University Advancement and Mayra Torres, receptionist, demonstrate the ease of visiting University Health Services. (Photo by Harry Brett)

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