Policies & Forms
SHIP Waiver/ Enrollment
The Student Health Insurance Plan (SHIP) annual 2024-2025 waiver form is closed. The waiver form for new spring students is scheduled to open in December.
For information about the health insurance plan, Qualifying Life Events (QLE), or to access your insurance card, please go to University Health Plans webpage. Students or a representative of the students who have questions about their waiver or waiver requirements may contact UHP at: 833-207-7508.
Health Insurance Requirement
Good health is essential to academic success. Unexpected medical bills can threaten your ability to complete your education should you be uninsured or have inadequate coverage. In an effort to ensure students’ physical and financial health, eligible students are required to purchase or waive the University-sponsored Student Health Insurance Plan (SHIP) each academic year.
The following degree-seeking students from Hawk Hill and University City must maintain active health insurance while attending Saint Joseph’s University. *Not applicable to Lancaster students at this time.
Health Insurance Requirement Eligibility Criteria
| Undergraduate/ Graduate | Registered for six or more credits | At least 50% of credits in person |
| International | Registered for one or more credits | At least 50% of credits in person |
| PhD & EdD | Registered for one or more credits | At least 50% of credits in person |
| Domestic student-athletes | Registered for six or more credits | No minimum in person credit requirement |
| International student-athletes | Registered for one or more credits | No minimum in person credit requirement |
University-sponsored Student Health Insurance Plan (SHIP)
The SHIP is an ACA-compliant plan insured by UnitedHealthcare Student Resources (UHCSR) and includes access to United's national PPO network. Additional plan information can be found on the Student Health Insurance Plan (SHIP) website.
Students with comparable coverage are encouraged to complete the health insurance waiver. To be considered comparable, the health insurance plan must be filed and approved in the U.S. and compliant with the Affordable Care Act (ACA). It must also provide comprehensive, non-emergent benefits in the geographical area surrounding the school. Students who do not submit an approved waiver by the deadline will be automatically enrolled and charged for the Student Health Insurance Plan (SHIP). Students intending to purchase the plan should submit the enrollment form to access their insurance benefits.
SHIP Highlights
-
COST AND COVERAGE PERIODS
Annual Students
Newly Eligible Spring Students
Coverage Period
08/17/24 - 08/16/24
01/01/25 - 08/16/25
Cost
$2,850
$1,779
Waiver Deadline
9/6/24
01/24/25
-
Students who do not submit an approved waiver by the deadline will be automatically enrolled and charged for the Student Health Insurance Plan (SHIP). Students should submit an enrollment form as soon as possible to avoid difficulties accessing their health insurance benefits.
Approximately four business days after the enrollment form is submitted, the student can access the insurance ID card via the Student Health Insurance Plan (SHIP) website. If an enrollment or waiver form is not submitted by the deadline, students are enrolled in the SHIP retroactively to the policy effective date and are responsible for the insurance premium.
-
Students with comparable health insurance may submit a waiver form by the deadline to opt-out. To be considered comparable, your plan must:
Be filed and approved in the US and compliant with the Affordable Care Act (ACA)
Provide comprehensive, non-emergency benefits in the geographical area surrounding the school
Waiver forms may be reviewed, and if the plan does not meet the requirements, students will be notified that their waiver form is not accepted. Please refer to the waiver form for additional information about the waiver requirements and comparable plans.
-
Students will be retroactively terminated and refunded (pending a claim review) if they do not attend classes or fall below the minimum credit limit or on-campus credit requirement within the initial 31 days of classes.
-
Once the student meets eligibility for the first 31 days, the student remains enrolled for the entire policy period. Mid-year terminations are not permitted. However, if a student enrolled in annual coverage does not return to SJU for the spring semester, the student may request termination of the spring/summer coverage period by submitting the spring termination form by January 20, 2025.
-
Students who waived the SHIP may not voluntarily enroll during the policy year. However, students may qualify for special enrollment rights if they have a qualifying life event, such as losing other coverage. The qualifying life event enrollment form requires supporting documentation and payment and must be submitted within 31 days of losing other coverage.
Eligibility/Services/Fees
All Hawk Hill and University City full and part-time, degree-seeking, currently enrolled on-ground students are eligible to receive services at the Student Health Centers (SHC). Students who are on leave of absence and those who have graduated are not eligible for services.
Students are subject to all requirements of the SHC (including completion of the Physical Examination Form, Immunization Record, and the Health Evaluation Form).
Services
Nursing assessment and treatment of illness and injury, referral for further evaluation by a physician or nurse practitioner.
Health and wellness information.
Student’s questions/ concerns and treatment regarding sexual health issues, sexually transmitted infections (STIs), pregnancy, reproductive health, or alcohol/ drug/ tobacco problems will be answered or treated in a non judgmental, caring manner. The medical providers may treat or prescribe medication directly or assist the student in seeking help from a specialist or another appropriate medical provider/resource in the Philadelphia area.
Nutritional Counseling for students with conditions such as diabetes, hypoglycemia, gastrointestinal conditions, adverse effects from medications, and weight gain or weight loss.
Health related consultations, i.e. hypertension, weight-control, nutritional counseling, and sleep issues.
Students who need services beyond the scope of the Student Health Center will be referred to appropriate healthcare providers or facilities as necessary. Students are financially responsible for services rendered by outside healthcare providers and facilities.
Tampons and liners are available in the Student Health Center bathroom.
The Student Health Centers do not function as pharmacies and therefore do not dispense or distribute prescription medications.
Hawk Hill & University City Student Health Center Fees
Graduate, Doctoral, Healthcare Professional Students P2, P3 & P4 and Healthcare Professional Post Bac Students P1, P2, & P3 Student Fees
*Fees are subject to change based on the cost through the supplier.
- Office Visit - $40
- Tuberculosis testing (skin test) - $20
- Crutch rental - refundable deposit of $20
- Knee Scooter rental (subject to availability) - refundable deposit of $30
* University of Science legacy students will not be charged for office visits at the Student Health Center.
Undergraduate Student Fees
There are no fees for undergraduate students to be evaluated and treated in the health center except as listed below. Students are responsible for payments for referrals to outside healthcare providers or healthcare facilities.
*Fees are subject to change based on the cost through the supplier.
- Tuberculosis testing (skin test) - $20
- Crutch rental - refundable deposit of $20
- Knee Scooter rental (subject to availability) - refundable deposit of $30
Student Immunization Requirements
Immunization records must be complete and on file in the Student Health Center in order to register for classes. For religious or medical exemptions of the university required vaccines, please email the Student Health Center at health@sju.edu. Students with clinical and experiential learning should contact their program with any questions.
Vaccine-preventable diseases continue to occur on American campuses. Based on the recommendations of the American College Health Association (ACHA) Vaccine Preventable Diseases Committee and the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP), Saint Joseph’s University has immunization requirements for students that meet the criteria outlined below.
Resources: CDC Vaccines & Immunizations
-
Saint Joseph’s University requires Lancaster full-time, degree-seeking, currently enrolled on-ground undergraduate students to have the following immunizations:
Hepatitis B Series of 3 doses; 0, 1-2 months, 6-12 months. MMR
(Measles, Mumps, and Rubella)
Immunization with two doses of MMR, given on or after the first birthday and separated by at least one month. TDaP
(Tetanus, Diphtheria, Pertussis)
Tetanus/Diphtheria/Pertussis booster given within the past ten years. Varicella Vaccine (Chicken Pox) Two doses of varicella-containing vaccine at least 12 weeks apart if vaccinated between 1 and 12 years of age and at least 4 weeks apart if vaccinated at age 13 years or older. -
Saint Joseph’s University requires Hawk Hill and University City full-time, degree-seeking, currently enrolled on-ground undergraduate students and all University City Clinical Health Professional on-ground graduate students to have the following immunizations:
DTaP
(Diphtheria, Tetanus, Pertussis)
Three doses are required with a booster (Tdap) given within the past ten years. Hepatitis B Series of three doses; 0 months, 1-2 months, 6-12 months. IPV/ OPV (Polio) Three doses; Booster only if needed for travel. Meningococcal Meningitis Vaccine (conjugated) One dose, on or after age 16 years, is required for students living in University-owned housing (Pennsylvania State Law).
*Students must complete a written waiver if declining meningitis vaccination.
MMR
(Measles, Mumps, and Rubella)
Two doses given on or after the first birthday and separated by at least one month. Tuberculosis Testing Recommended for all students; REQUIRED for:
- Students in the Education Majors and Clinical Professional Programs.
- Anyone who has lived in or visited South America, Central America, Eastern Europe, Asia, or Africa in the last 5 years.
- Students in contact with a known case.
*Note: A QuantiFERON-TB Gold (QFT) or T-Spot test is the recommended method for TB infection screening. PPD’s will only be accepted for low risk students in the education program.
Varicella Vaccine
(Chicken Pox)
Two doses at least 12 weeks apart if vaccinated between 1 and 12 years of age and at least 4 weeks apart if vaccinated at age 13 years or older.
Students who have never received the varicella vaccine must obtain a surface antibody titer (IgG) proving immunity. Upload the antibody titer (IgG) lab results to the Health Portal.
-
COVID-19 vaccines – Series of 2 doses of Pfizer, Moderna, or Novavax COVID-19, or one dose of Johnson & Johnson (Jansen).
Gardasil 9 Human Papillomavirus 9-Valent Vaccine, Recombinant
Hepatitis A – Series of 2 doses; 0, 6-12 months.
Influenza vaccine- Routine annual influenza vaccination is recommended for all persons aged ≥6 months who do not have contraindications.
Meningococcal B Vaccine
- Bexsero: Series of 2 doses
- Trumenba: Series of 3 doses
Other Health Requirements
Some programs have additional health/ immunization requirements to clear students for clinical and/or experiential learning. This includes but is not limited to PharmD, MOT, DrOT, DPT, PA, Nursing, and Clinical and/or Experiential Learning Programs. For additional guidance regarding the management of applicable students’ Student Health Packet information, lab titers, vaccine boosters, and/or additional program requirements please click the button below.
Patient Rights and Responsibilities
One of the goals of the Student Health Center (SHC) is to provide students with high-quality healthcare in a manner that clearly recognizes individual needs and rights. To effectively accomplish this goal, it is necessary for students and health care providers to work together. To that end, the following rights and responsibilities must be recognized and safe guarded.
As a student you have the following RIGHTS:
- To receive care and treatment with courtesy, respect, privacy and consideration.
- To receive information in terms that you can understand and to have any questions answered concerning your diagnosis, prognosis, treatment and any associated risks.
- To refuse to be examined or treated by health practitioners and to be informed of the consequences of such decisions.
- To be referred to an alternative health care source when appropriate or upon request.
- To participate actively in decisions regarding your health care and treatment.
- To know the identity of your health care provider.
- To review any medical records created and maintained by the SHC regarding your care and treatment, and to request amendments to these records in consultation with your health care provider.
- To have your medical records kept private.
- To file a grievance with the Administrative Director of the SHC if you feel any of these rights have been violated.
As a student you have the following RESPONSIBILITIES:
- To show courtesy and consideration for the SHC staff.
- To provide complete information about immunizations, past illnesses, hospitalizations, medications and allergies to enable proper evaluation and treatment by clinicians.
- To ask questions or request clarification if needed to ensure that there is an adequate understanding of your health problem or treatment.
- To follow instructions concerning medications, follow-up visits, and other essential steps in our treatment plan, and to notify your provider if the plan cannot be followed, condition worsens or an unexpected reaction occurs.
- To keep scheduled appointments or cancel within a reasonable time ahead so that another person may be given that time slot.
- To be respectful of other patients’ privacy and confidentiality.
- To accept financial responsibility for any charges incurred with any health care provider/hospital/urgent care visit and treatment outside of the SHC.
You may direct any concerns about Rights and Responsibilities to the Administrative Director of the Student Health Center.
Medical Excuse Policy
Saint Joseph’s University Student Health Center does not provide medical excuse notes for students due to illness, injury and/or mental health problems that may lead to missed classes, exams or academic deadlines.
It is the student’s responsibility to inform the professor prior to the missed class, just as the student would be expected to inform their place of employment prior to the start of their work day. It is also the student’s responsibility to make arrangements for missed class work or collecting missed notes of lectures or other assignments as necessary.
Just as Saint Joseph's strives to grow students of competence and character, the Student Health Center encourages students to make healthy and mature decisions when they are sick. This includes healthy eating, adequate sleeping, following medical advice, and possibly missing classes when ill.
All decisions about the impact of an absence and arrangements for making up missed work must be determined between the professor and student.
The goal of the Student Health Center is to provide care to as many sick or injured students as possible rather than spending time verifying short term medical absences. This policy is consistent with recommendations from the American College Health Association and is similar to policies at other peer universities.
Assistance with ongoing illness or injury
Any student with an illness, injury, hospitalization or mental health problem requiring multiple absences should contact the Student Health Center. The Health Center will help facilitate communication with Student Success and / or Student Disability Services.
Confidentiality Policy
The Student Health Center maintains a strict policy of confidentiality to safeguard the privacy of your personal and health information. This is an essential component of quality health care and is required by law.
FERPA permits, but does not require, a school to disclose personally identifiable information from a student’s education records, without consent, to appropriate parties in connection with an emergency, if knowledge of the information is necessary to protect the health or safety of the student or other individuals.
Every undergraduate student has a confidential health record that is maintained in the Student Health Center during your student years and is kept on file for seven years after the conclusion of the academic year last enrolled by the student. ELS students' health records are retained for seven years after the last date that service was rendered. The Student Health Center does not release personal health information to anyone without your written authorization. Exceptions include life-threatening illness/injury or those reasons required by law such as court subpoena or public health reporting requirements.
Download the Authorization for Release of Confidential Health Information form. Please upload the completed form to the Document Upload section of the Student Health Portal.
Medication Administration Consent Form
Medication Administration Consent Form
Please upload the completed form to the Document Upload section of the Student Health Portal.