Primary Care
We see students for a variety of reasons including routine care, same-day sick concerns, gynecological problems, sexual and reproductive healthcare, including gender-affirming care, and care after a sexual assault. We offer both in-person and telehealth visits by appointment, which can be scheduled using the patient portal or by calling during our regular business hours.
Immunizations
We offer a wide range of immunizations, including the immunizations you need to register for classes and those you need to travel.
COVID-19 and Influenza Vaccines
Please visit Healthy @ Tufts for information about COVID-19 and influenza vaccines, including annual vaccine clinics.
Cost of Immunizations
Many major medical insurance policies reimburse for standard immunizations from your primary care physician but may not reimburse for vaccinations given at Health Service so it is important to check with your insurance company before getting a vaccine through us. Most insurances policies do not cover the cost of travel-related immunizations.
The cost of immunizations varies -- some are inexpensive and others are costly. Our business office can tell you how much the immunizations you need will cost.
If you decide to receive an immunization at Health Service, and you have private insurance the charge for the vaccine will be put on your tuition bill. Please note, student insurance covers the cost of most immunizations. Travel immunizations, tend to be excluded from most insurance plans. You may download your statement on the Patient Portal.
Immunization Accommodations and Waivers
- Massachusetts law does not allow philosophical exemptions for immunizations.
- All students living in a campus residence or other congregate housing are required to receive the meningococcal vaccine unless they sign a waiver or qualify for an exemption. To request the meningococcal vaccine waiver, please complete the form provided here and submit to the Health Service Immunization Coordinator.
- Massachusetts students must provide documentation of immunization, according to school requirements, or submit a medical or religious accommodation. Medical accommodations come from the student’s primary healthcare provider or medical specialist and must document a contraindication — the reason why an individual cannot medically receive the vaccine. Medical accommodation requests will be reviewed by Health Service. Religious accommodations are reviewed and approved by the Office of Equal Opportunity (OEO). Students requesting religious accommodations must complete the OEO religious immunization accommodation form and email it to oeo@tufts.edu.
Birth Control and Emergency Contraception
Methods of Birth Control
We provide consultation about all available methods of contraception. For students with Tufts student health insurance plan, we offer insertion of intrauterine devices (IUDs) and contraceptive implants at Health Service. We can remove an IUD or implant regardless of a student’s insurance plan.
Emergency Contraception
Emergency Contraception (EC) is a safe way to prevent pregnancy after unprotected sex. There are several forms of EC and all forms are available at Health Service. If you are unsure which form is right for you, call to speak with a nurse or make an appointment with a clinician. Plan B is available in the Sex Health Vending Machine, located in Campus Center.
Pregnancy Options
Health Services provides counseling for planned and unplanned pregnancies. We can also provide medication abortions. For more information about any of these services, please schedule an appointment.
Testing for Sexually Transmitted Infections
Health Service provides routine testing (screening) for sexually transmitted infections (STIs) as well as evaluation for symptoms or care after an exposure.
- Call or schedule an appointment online if you are worried about a symptom, or have been exposed to someone diagnosed with an STI.
- If you want routine testing (screening) you can use the STI Express form found on the portal or schedule a telehealth visit.
- Make sure your insurance information at Health Service is up to date. Although HS does not bill for visits, labs that are sent out for testing are billed to your health insurance plan.
HIV Prevention
Post-Exposure Prophylaxis (PEP)
PEP is medication that should be taken as soon as possible AFTER a high-risk exposure to reduce the chance of acquiring HIV. It needs to be started within 72 hours of a possible exposure, and ideally within 24 hours. Typically you will need to take a combination of three medications for 28 days.
If you are concerned about a possible HIV exposure, please schedule an appointment. If there are no same-day visits available, call our main number and ask to speak to a nurse. If Health Service is not open, call the main number and follow the prompts to reach our nurse triage line. The nurse can connect you with the clinician on call or other resources, if needed.
Most insurance, including Tufts student health insurance, covers the cost of PEP.
Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP)
HIV PrEP is medication that can protect you from HIV infection. PrEP is for people who are not HIV positive but are at risk of infection. PrEP can be a single pill that is taken daily or an injection given every 2 months. It is highly effective if taken consistently.
If you are interested in discussing PrEP, please set up an “HIV Prevention” telehealth visit through the portal.
Most insurances, including Tufts student health insurance, cover the cost of medications for PrEP. We will help you connect with patient assistance programs that will cover the co-pays, so that PrEP will be available to you without any out of pocket expense.
If you are interested, make an appointment at Health Service to speak with one of our clinicians. Tell the appointment secretary that you want to discuss PrEP.
DoxyPEP
DoxyPEP is medication that can be taken after sexual contact to help prevent sexually transmitted infections. Prescriptions for DoxyPEP are available through HS.
Gender Affirming Care
Health and Wellness welcomes and affirms students of all gender identities, expressions, and sexual orientations. We offer a range of services for trans, non-binary, and/or gender non-conforming students including:
- Inclusive environment for medical and mental health care
- Individualized care based on your goals
- Initiation or continued prescribing of hormone treatment
- Consultation about and referrals for gender affirming surgery and other specialty care
- Letters of support when needed to access specialty care
Support navigating insurance coverage and billing concerns through the Health Service Business Office.
Gender-Affirming Hormone Treatment (GAHT)
- Health Service (HS) follows the standards of care developed by the World Professional Association of Transgender Health (WPATH). Students who are interested in GAHT may schedule an appointment directly with a Health Service clinician. Appointments can be scheduled online using the Health & Wellness patient portal or by calling during regular business hours.
- For students already taking hormones Health Service can help with lab monitoring and managing prescriptions. HS clinicians can coordinate care with other prescribing providers if needed. HS can help students who need assistance with injectable medications.
Gender-Affirming Surgery (GAS)
- HS provides referrals to specialists for students seeking gender affirming surgery or other specialized care.
- Both Counseling and Mental Health (CMHS) and HS are able to provide letters of support for specialty care, including gender-affirming surgeries.
- Students already established may ask their regular clinician about referrals and letters of support.
- Students who have not been seen before should schedule a new patient visit and discuss their needs.
- Call Health Service or Counseling and Mental Health with any questions or for assistance finding a clinician who is a good fit. Students may also review the HS staff bios and CMHS staff bios as a starting point.
Students Under 18
Students under 18 are eligible for general counseling and medical services at CMHS and HS. Due to limitations of confidentiality in healthcare settings, your parents are legally able to request and access certain information about your healthcare. Please discuss any privacy concerns with your clinician.
Insurance Coverage
The Tufts University sponsored student health insurance plan is provided through UnitedHealthcare StudentResources. This policy covers a full range of health benefits, including gender affirmation surgeries, hormones, and mental health services. Please review The UHCSR Gender Dysphoria Treatment Guidelines for more information.
If you have any questions about insurance coverage, you may email studenthealthinsurance@tufts.edu. Although surgeries and hormones are covered, there are co-pays and out-of-pocket costs associated with all medical care (i.e., the coverage does not mean you will not incur any costs).
Medical Record Documentation
- The Tufts Health Service Pre-entrance Health Questionnaire will ask for both sex assigned at birth, current gender identity, and pronouns. This information will be reflected in your medical record.
- If the name you use is different from your legal name, you can enter this and your pronouns when you check in for a visit, or your clinician can do this for you. Both names will show up in your medical record but we will refer to you using your chosen name.
- To change your name in other university departments (Registrar, ID card, Student Information System), please see this guide.
- If you have legally changed your name, please use this guide.
Ongoing Support and Other Healthcare Resources
While seeking gender affirming treatment can be exciting, the process can also feel stressful and having support is important. In addition to short-term individual counseling at CMHS and healthcare at HS, students also have access to many other Tufts supports including CMHS groups, and peer facilitated support groups offered by the LGBT Center. If you’re seeking ongoing counseling and support, you can schedule an appointment with the CMHS Case Manager to help with a referral. If you are experiencing any financial concerns/barriers, ask your clinician about options for support.
Sexual Assault Care
Health Service can provide confidential medical care after a sexual assault including trauma informed examinations, emergency contraception, STI prevention and testing, and referrals to other resources. Health Service does not provide forensic examinations (evidence collection) but can support you in getting to a health care center that can provide SANE exams.
Lab Testing
Health Service has a moderate complexity CLIA-certified lab that can draw blood and perform laboratory tests ordered by Health Service clinicians. All testing requires an order and students should not make a lab appointment unless their clinician has told them that they have lab orders ready.
Some tests cannot be processed on-site and are sent to our reference laboratory, Quest Diagnostics. Labs done by Quest are billed directly to the insurance company. Students with insurance plans other than the Tufts student health insurance plan should determine if Quest is an "in-network" clinical laboratory, to ensure that testing is covered and paid for by their insurance company. Additional information about how laboratory services are billed can be found by reviewing our Billing information.
The lab cannot support sample collection and processing for testing ordered by clinicians outside of Health Service. Students who have test orders may schedule an appointment with a Health Service clinician to discuss their needs and determine if care can be provided on-site or if they should be referred to an outside laboratory.
Acupuncture
New England Integrated Health, LLC (NEIH) is offering on-campus services for Tufts students. Appointments are one hour long and students will have access to all of our typical services, including acupuncture, cupping, and gua sha.
Availability and Scheduling
Acupuncture appointments are offered on campus in the lower level of the Health Service by appointment. New and existing patients can book online. Appointments can also be made by phone by calling 617-297-8549.
Insurance Coverage
Student Health insurance through United HealthCare Student Resources covers acupuncture. There is no copay for the acupuncture services provided by NEIH and 24 visits per school year are allowed. For all other insurance plans please schedule online, complete your intake forms, and we will verify your insurance coverage prior to your first visit.
Cancellation Fee
Yes, we do have a 24-hour cancellation policy. Because it is difficult to fill a canceled appointment without sufficient notice, appointments canceled without 24-hour notice will be charged a fee of $50. If you need to cancel your appointment please call or text us with at least 24 hours’ notice at 617-297-8549 or email info@newenglandintegratedhealth.com.
More Information
For more information about acupuncture, acupuncture services at Tufts, or provider bios please visit the New England Integrated Health Website.
Chiropractor
Doctor Timothy B Donovan, DC, is our on-site chiropractor.
Availability
- Academic Year: Wednesdays and some Fridays from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
- Summer Session: Some Wednesdays in the morning (hours may vary).
- To make an appointment, contact Dr. Donovan’s office:
- Phone 781-670-9993
- Email: drtdonovan@comcast.net
- Dr. Donovan can also treat students at his private practice located at 2 Haven Street, Reading, MA 01867. Call or email for additional information.
Insurance
Dr. Donovan accepts most major insurance. Student Health insurance through United HealthCare Student Resources covers chiropractic care and a $0 copay is applied for treatment with Dr. Donovan. For all other insurance plans, you will be responsible for any applicable deductible, copay, or coinsurance as determined by your insurance company.
Massages
Melissa Poplaski is our on-site massage therapist
Availability
- 7:15am to 5pm Fridays (by appointment only)
- Appointment Durations: 15-minute chair, 30, 60 and 90-minute table sessions available
Scheduling
https://corebalancemovement.as.me/schedule.php
Biling
Insurance: Massage therapy isn't covered through insurance and will be an out of pocket expense.
Payment: Cash, check, Venmo or CC (2.9% fee added to services)
Contact
Melissa Poplaski
Email: melissa@corebalancemovement.com
617-290-3994
Prescription Medication
Prescriptions provided by Health Service clinicians may be fulfilled at local or mail order pharmacies. Pharmacies bill insurance plans for the cost of prescribed medication and your out of pocket cost may include a co-pay, the percent of the overall cost of the drug you are responsible for, which depends on your insurance plan. Listed are some local pharmacy options but students can discuss their pharmacy preference with their clinician.
Capsule Pharmacy (Free Delivery to Your Door)
Capsule provides free prescription delivery to your residence hall or apartment within most of the greater Boston area, including Fenway, Medford, and Somerville. Most insurances accepted. For more information about filling or transferring prescriptions tat Capsule, visit their website.
Inman Pharmacy (Free Delivery to Health Service)
Inman Pharmacy is an independent pharmacy in Cambridge that fills and delivers prescriptions to Health Service on the Medford/Somerville campus. Deliveries of prescriptions are made to Health Service on a pre-arranged twice daily schedule during the academic year. To process your prescription,
Inman Pharmacy will need your insurance information and a credit card to which the co-pay can be charged.
Inman Pharmacy provides this delivery service as a convenience to the students. If you use this service, any communication is strictly between you and the pharmacy. Tufts University is not responsible for providing payment information or collecting payment for services or products. Once the prescription leaves the pharmacy it cannot be returned. Prescriptions sent to Health Service must be picked up during normal operating hours.
Inman Pharmacy
Phone: 617-876-4868
Fax: 617-547-9521
Online: http://www.inmanpharmacy.com/
Address: 1414 Cambridge Street, Cambridge, MA
Other Local Pharmacies
CVS Pharmacy
1 Davis Square, Somerville, MA 02144
617-629-4156 (phone) / 617-629-4758 (fax)
CVS Pharmacy
Wellington Circle, at the intersection of Routes 28 and 16 East
590 Middlesex Fells Parkway, Medford
781-391-2668 (phone) / 781-396-4113 (fax)
Walgreens Pharmacy
337 Broadway, Somerville
617-776-5104 (phone) / 617-776-7591 (fax)
CVS Pharmacy
Magoun Square, 532 Medford Street, Somerville
617-628-1401 (phone) / 617-623-8227 (fax)