UMass Boston

Routine and preventive care can help you stay healthy, address concerns early, and keep up with recommended healthcare. 

Services at UHS may include:  

• Routine physical exams: General health evaluations and physical exams based on your individual healthcare needs.
  *Requires Student BCBS insurance.
• Preventive healthcare: Health counseling, screenings, immunizations, and other services that support your overall health
• Health screenings: Screening based on your health history, age, risk factors, symptoms, and individual needs
• Immunizations: Required and recommended vaccines, including seasonal vaccines when available
• Health counseling: Education and guidance to help you understand and manage your health
• Sexual and reproductive healthcare: Preventive sexual health services, contraception, STI prevention, and reproductive health screenings

Preventive care needs vary from person to person. Your healthcare provider can help you understand which services may be appropriate for you. 

UHS can provide evaluation, treatment, and follow-up care for health concerns that require continued attention or management.

This may include:

• Ongoing health conditions: Follow-up and management of conditions such as asthma, migraines, and other chronic or recurring concerns
• Follow-up care: Continued care after an illness, injury, testing, or other healthcare visit
• Medication management: Review of current medications, medication-related questions, and prescription refills when appropriate
• Monitoring symptoms: Follow-up when symptoms are persistent, recurring, or changing
• Care coordination: Working with you and your outside healthcare providers when additional or specialty care is needed

If you already have a healthcare provider outside of UHS, you can continue working with that provider while using UHS for appropriate services during your time at UMass Boston.

Not every ongoing health condition can be managed entirely through UHS. When additional or specialty care is needed, your provider can help determine the next step.

Sometimes the care you need is not available at UHS. When appropriate, our healthcare team can help connect you with outside providers and coordinate your care.

Referrals may include:

• Medical specialists: Connecting you with specialists when your health concern requires specialty care
• Diagnostic services: Referrals for imaging, testing, or other diagnostic services that are not available through UHS
• Specialty healthcare: Connections to providers or clinics that offer services not provided on campus
• Community resources: Referrals to appropriate healthcare and community-based services
• Follow-up care: Helping you understand recommended next steps after an evaluation or when additional care is needed

Your health insurance plan may have specific requirements for referrals, including a referral from your primary care provider or prior authorization.

If you receive care outside of UHS, you can share relevant information with your UHS healthcare provider so that your care can be coordinated when appropriate.

There are many different ways to prevent pregnancy, and the right option depends on your health, preferences, lifestyle, and what works best for you. UHS can provide education and counseling about your options and help you access birth control through UHS or an outside provider.

Birth Control Options

UHS can provide information and counseling about different types of birth control, including how they work, how they are used, how long they last, potential benefits and side effects, and what may be appropriate for you.

Methods available through UHS or by referral include:

• Birth control pills: Ccounseling and access to oral contraceptives, including both combined pills containing estrogen and progestin and progestin-only options when appropriate. Pills are taken regularly to prevent pregnancy.

• Vaginal rings: Provides counseling and access to vaginal rings, including NuvaRing. The ring is placed in the vagina and releases hormones to prevent pregnancy.

• Birth control shots: Provides access to Depo-Provera, a contraceptive injection typically given every three months.

• Birth control implant referrals: Referrals for Nexplanon, a small, flexible rod placed under the skin of the upper arm that provides long-acting, reversible contraception.

• IUD referrals: Provides referrals for intrauterine devices (IUDs), including hormonal and non-hormonal options. IUDs are small devices placed in the uterus and provide long-acting, reversible pregnancy prevention.

• Diaphragm referrals: Provides referrals for diaphragms, a barrier method placed in the vagina before sex to help prevent sperm from reaching the uterus.

• Condoms and other barrier methods: Condoms can help prevent pregnancy and also reduce the risk of sexually transmitted infections (STIs). UHS provides free safer sex supplies through its health and wellness resources and sExpress program.

You can talk with a UHS healthcare provider about your preferences and questions before choosing a method. You do not need to know which method you want before making an appointment.

Getting Birth Control Through UHS

If you are interested in starting birth control, changing your current method, or learning more about your options, you can make a General Medicine appointment.

During your appointment, you can discuss:

• Which methods may be appropriate based on your health and medical history

• How each method is used and how often you need to use or replace it

• Potential side effects and other considerations

• How to start or switch methods

• What to expect when using a new method

• How to access a method that is not provided directly by UHS

• Questions or concerns about a method you're already using

If the method you are interested in requires a procedure or service that UHS does not provide, your healthcare provider can help you identify an appropriate outside provider or referral.

Emergency Contraception

Emergency contraception can help prevent pregnancy after sex when no birth control was used or when a birth control method may have failed, such as when a condom breaks or birth control pills were missed.

UHS provides free emergency contraception counseling and prescriptions for students.

Emergency contraception is time-sensitive, so the sooner it is used after sex, the better. Emergency contraceptive pills can be used within 5 days after unprotected sex, although effectiveness varies by method and timing.

UHS offers several ways to access emergency contraception:

• Make a UHS appointment: Call 617-287-5660 to speak with UHS and schedule an appointment for emergency contraception counseling and a prescription.

• Emergency contraception dispenser: Free emergency contraception is available through the dispenser located in the East Residence Hall Lobby. If the dispenser is empty, contact UHS at 617-287-5660.

• sExpress: Students can plan ahead and obtain free safer sex supplies in advance with our sExpress delivery and pickup program. 

If you have had unprotected sex and need emergency contraception, don't wait to make an appointment or contact UHS.

Emergency Contraception Options

There are several forms of emergency contraception. UHS can help you understand your options and determine what may be appropriate for you.

• Emergency contraceptive pills: These include levonorgestrel-based pills and ulipristal acetate (ella). Some emergency contraceptive pills are available over the counter, while others require a prescription. They should be taken as soon as possible and can be used within 5 days after unprotected sex.

• Copper IUD: A copper IUD can be placed by a healthcare provider within 5 days of unprotected sex and can also continue to provide ongoing birth control after emergency contraception. UHS provides referrals for IUD placement.

Emergency contraception does not protect against STIs. Condoms and other safer-sex practices can help reduce STI risk.

Questions About Your Options?

You don't need to choose a birth control method before talking with a healthcare provider. UHS can help you understand your options, answer questions, and connect you with the appropriate care.

UHS provides testing, treatment, and prevention services for sexually transmitted infections (STIs).

Services may include:

• STI testing based on symptoms, exposure, and individual needs
• Treatment for diagnosed STIs
• Counseling about STI prevention and safer sex
• HIV prevention services, including PrEP and PEP
• Guidance about when testing may be appropriate

UHS provides confidential pregnancy testing and support for students who may be pregnant or are unsure whether they are pregnant.

Care may include:

• Pregnancy testing
• Information about pregnancy and next steps
• Options counseling
• Referrals for prenatal care and other pregnancy-related services
• Referrals for services not provided at UHS

UHS can evaluate and provide care for concerns related to menstrual and pelvic health.

This may include:

• Menstrual concerns
• Pelvic pain
• Painful sex
• Other reproductive or pelvic health concerns

UHS provides reproductive health screenings and prevention services based on your individual needs.

Services may include:

• Pap tests when appropriate
• HPV vaccination
• Counseling about reproductive health screenings and prevention

UHS helps students meet the university's required immunization and health documentation requirements.

Required vaccines include:

• Hepatitis B
• Measles, Mumps & Rubella (MMR)
• Meningococcal conjugate vaccine (MCV4)
• Tetanus, Diphtheria & Pertussis (Tdap)
• Tetanus-Diphtheria (Td)
• Varicella (chickenpox)

Students are responsible for submitting required immunization records and documentation through the My Health Beacon Portal.

View Current Immunization & Screening Requirements Here!

In addition to required vaccines, UHS offers recommended vaccinations to help protect your health and prevent vaccine-preventable illness.

Recommended vaccines may include:

• HPV (human papillomavirus) vaccine
• Seasonal influenza (flu) vaccine
• Meningococcal B (MenB) vaccine
• Other vaccines based on your age, health history, vaccination history, and individual healthcare needs

If you're not sure which vaccines you need or whether you're up to date, a UHS healthcare provider can review your vaccination history and discuss recommendations with you.

Seasonal vaccine availability may vary throughout the year.

UHS provides on-campus tuberculosis (TB) screening and testing for students who need testing to meet university, academic, employment, or other health requirements.

The type of TB screening or testing you need may depend on your individual health history and the requirements you're trying to meet.

If you need TB testing, make an appointment with UHS or follow the instructions provided for your specific requirement.

UHS provides laboratory testing to support the diagnosis and treatment of common illnesses and health concerns.

On-campus laboratory services may include testing for:

• Strep throat
• Influenza (flu)
• Other common illnesses and health concerns based on your symptoms and healthcare needs

When more specialized testing is needed, UHS can coordinate access to external laboratory services through Quest Diagnostics.

Your healthcare provider will let you know when laboratory testing is recommended, what type of testing you need, and where it should be completed.

Travelwell appointments may include:

• Review of your destination and travel plans
• Destination-specific health recommendations
• Recommendations for travel vaccinations
• Travel vaccinations available through UHS
• Medication guidance related to travel
• Recommendations for preventing illness while traveling
• Guidance about food, water, insects, and other travel-related health concerns
• Planning for healthcare needs while away

Plan Ahead! We recommend scheduling your Travelwell appointment 6–8 weeks before your trip whenever possible. Some vaccines and preventive medications may require additional time.

Travelwell appointments must be scheduled by phone at 617-287-5660.

Learn More About Travel Health & Safety

Depending on your health concern, telehealth may be appropriate for:

• Follow-up appointments
• Medication management
• Reviewing laboratory results
• Follow-up for ongoing health concerns
• Birth control consultations
• Some sexual health concerns and testing
• Other concerns that can be appropriately addressed remotely

Not every health concern can be treated through telehealth. UHS can help determine whether an in-person or telehealth appointment is most appropriate for your needs.

Lifestyle Medicine Visits are free, non-clinical visits focused on helping students explore everyday habits and make sustainable changes that support their health and well-being.

You can talk with a provider about:

• Sleep
• Stress management 
• Physical activity
• Social connection
• Nutrition and plant-based eating
• Substance use

These visits focus on education, goal-setting, and support. They do not include medical diagnoses, prescriptions, laboratory testing, or imaging are are not a replacement for primary care. 

In collaboration with Dining Services, UHS offers free nutrition counseling to help students explore questions about food, nutrition, and healthy eating. Students can work with a Registered Dietitian to create a nutrition plan tailored to your lifestyle. These sessions help you set realistic goals and learn practical strategies. 

Nutrition counseling is non-clinical and focuses on education and practical support. It does not replace medical care or treatment from a healthcare provider. 

UHS offers support for students who want to quit or reduce tobacco or nicotine use, including vaping.

Support may include understanding cravings and triggers, developing strategies to quit or reduce use, health education, and goal-setting and accountability.

These are not medical visits and are not billed to medical insurance. No medical diagnoses, prescriptions, lab work, or imaging are provided. This visit does not replace care from a primary care provider.

In partnership with Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, the Mammography Van brings digital 3D breast cancer screening to campus.

Services may include:

• Annual screening mammograms
• Digital 3D mammography
• Breast cancer screening for eligible members of the UMass Boston community
• Information and education about breast health

Appointments are scheduled in advance and take approximately 20 minutes.

UHS hosts an annual mobile mammography clinic each October. 

UHS partners with Dana-Farber Cancer Institute's Blum Van to offer free skin cancer screenings on campus.

Screenings may include:

• A visual examination of the skin
• Identification of areas that may need further evaluation
• Education about skin health and sun safety
• Guidance about follow-up care or referrals when needed

This clinic is offered annually in April. 

UHS provides free emergency contraception and several ways for students to access it.

Emergency contraception can help prevent pregnancy after unprotected sex or when a birth control method may have failed.

Ways to access emergency contraception:

• sExpress: Order emergency contraception for free through the sExpress safer sex supply program. You can choose delivery to your residence hall or pickup at UHS. Click here to place your order
  
• Emergency contraception dispenser: Free Plan B is available from the dispenser in the East Residence Hall, next to the Printing Station.
• UHS appointment: Students can make an appointment with General Medicine to discuss emergency contraception and receive a prescription when appropriate.

If you need emergency contraception and cannot find an appointment within 48 hours, call General Medicine at 617-287-5660 for assistance.

UHS provides free condoms and other safer sex supplies to help students protect themselves and their partners.

Through sExpress, students can request:

• External latex condoms
• Latex-free condoms
• Flavored latex dental dams
• Personal lubricants
• Pregnancy tests
• Emergency contraception
• Sexual health educational materials

Condoms are also available in the UHS Lobby and exam rooms.

sExpress Delivery & Pickup

Students can place an order through sExpress and choose delivery to their residence hall or pickup at UHS.

You will receive an email when your order is ready. Residence hall deliveries and UHS pickups are typically completed within 2 business days. Click here to place your order!

UHS offers free flu kits during flu season to help students prepare for and manage common flu symptoms.

Kits may include supplies such as:

• Thermometer
• Tissues
• Hand sanitizer
• Soup
• Other basic illness-care supplies

Flu kits are available while supplies last.

Pickup location: UHS General Medicine Front Desk, Quinn Administration Building, 2nd Floor.

Free pads and tampons are available to students through UHS.

You can find menstrual products in:

• The UHS Lobby
• UHS patient bathrooms

These supplies are available for students to use as needed.

UHS provides free overdose prevention kits to help students and members of the campus community be prepared to respond to an opioid overdose.

Kits may include:

• Naloxone (Narcan)
• Fentanyl test strips
• Xylazine test strips
• CPR face shield
• Overdose prevention and response information

To get a kit, stop by the UHS General Medicine Front Desk in the Quinn Administration Building, 2nd Floor, and ask for a kit.

No appointment is needed to pick up a kit.

UHS provides sharps containers for the safe disposal of used needles and other sharps.

Sharps containers are available for students, staff, and faculty for personal use.

• Pick up a sharps container from UHS during office hours.
• When your container is full, return it to UHS for replacement and disposal guidance.

If you have questions about safely handling or disposing of sharps, contact UHS before bringing them to campus.