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.
Medical Illness Documentation Policy
Due to COVID-19, Health Service will not see students on a walk-in basis and will not provide exam excuse notes until further notice. If you are ill on the day of an exam, you should stay home if the class is in-person. If you are on-campus and need medical attention, please call Health Service to schedule an appointment. Review your course syllabus for policies surrounding missed exams and their impact on overall grading. Contact your instructor prior to the exam to let them know you are sick and not able to participate in the exam when scheduled. Work with them to explore alternative options. If you have medical documentation from an off-campus healthcare provider, please give it to your Advising Dean instead of your instructor.
Students having any issues with implementation of this policy, or problems making up work missed due to illness, should contact their Advising Dean for assistance.
Faculty: See "When Students Get Sick"
Obtaining Medical or Counseling Records
For your convenience, Health Service can provide you or a third party with copies of your protected health information.
Currently enrolled students requesting immunization records or copies of medical or counseling records
If you are a present student and need copies of your immunization records, please access the Patient Portal at go to the “Immunizations” tab and click on the green “print” button on the page.
or
If you are a present student and need copies of your medica or counseling records, please access the Patient Portal and go to the “Forms” tab and click on the “Release of Information” form. Complete the information requested. Then send us the form by going to the “Upload” section of the Patient Portal and uploading your document. We will send your records back to you via the Patient Portal in pdf format.
Currently enrolled students requesting copies of medical records
If you are a present student and need copies of your medical records, please access the Patient Portal, go to the “Messages” tab and send your request to “General Services” inbox including what information you need from your medical record. We will send your medical record request back to you via the Patient Portal in pdf format.
Past student requesting immunization, medical, or counseling records
If you are a past student and need copies of your medical records, complete and sign our Authorization to Release Medical Records form.
Send your request via one of the following options:
- Email to HealthServices@tufts.edu
- fax to Health Service at 617-627-3592 or CMHS at 617-627-3019
- mail to Tufts University Health Service, 124 Professors Row, Medford, MA 02155 OR Tufts University Counseling and Mental Health Service at 120 Curtis Street, Medford, MA 02155
- Bring it to the front desk in Health Service (124 Professors Row) or CMHS (120 Curtis St)
In order to process the request, it MUST include:
- Name of student
- Tufts I.D. #
- Address and Telephone #.
- year entered and year graduated
- Specifically what you need from your record
- Where to send or fax the information
- The request MUST be signed by the patient.
Obtaining a Physician Referral
If you need care from a specialist, we can refer you to a qualified professional.
If you have the Student Health Insurance, please review Referral to outside providers.
If you have Private Insurance, you can find out what the coverage is by calling the number or visiting the insurance website listed on your health insurance card. You can ask what the benefits cover, if there is a yearly deductible, and if there are limits to coverage. You can find out who the in-network providers are by going to your insurance website and following the links for specialists and typing in various parameters for a search. If you give that list to our staff we can review the names and will try to make suggestions.
For further assistance, you can contact the business office.
Disclaimer
- Referrals made by Tufts University Health and Wellness should not be considered to be recommendations.
- Tufts University does not license, endorse, or recommend any particular provider, nor does it conduct any due diligence about the quality of the care given by any provider.
- Tufts University is not responsible for the professional services rendered by those healthcare or counseling professionals and is not responsible for their availability.
- Those healthcare or counseling professionals will not refer your healthcare matter back to Tufts University Health and Wellness and will not share any personal health information with Tufts University Health and Wellness unless you make a specific written request in accordance with applicable law.
- Tufts University urges students (i) to check with their insurance company whether the provider is covered as an “in-network provider” prior to the first appointment; and (ii) to interview the provider at the first appointment to make sure such provider is a good fit.
Preferred Name Change
If you want to update your information in the electronic medical record (EMR), please update your information in SIS. Once SIS is updated, the information will transfer to the EMR overnight.
EXCEPTION: We have “protected” the following fields, and thus will not be updated with the overnight SIS data feed: gender identity, pronouns, phone numbers, email address. If you need to update one of these fields, you can log into your Patient Portal. Once logged in, click on your name on the top right-hand side of the page, and click “Edit your profile”. Please note, if you make changes in your Patient Portal to fields that are not protected, the information will revert to the information available in SIS with the overnight data feed.
If you need assistance with updating information in your Patient Portal or electronic medical record, you can send us a message to General Services inbox via the Patient Portal.
Click here for more information on how to update your legal name in other electronic services across Tufts.
Click here for more information on how to update your preferred name in other electronic services across Tufts.
Outside Resources:
Prescription Medication
The clinicians at Health Service can prescribe medication if you need it. If you get a prescription through us, you will select a pharmacy and we will transmit the order to them electronically. If you prefer, we can give you a hard-copy prescription to take to your pharmacy in person.
Please note: for prescription medications that must be mailed under strict temperature controls, please refer to the Package Delivery Guidelines as outlined by Campus Mail Services
Fees
- Your co-pay, the percent of the overall cost of the drug you are responsible for, depends on your insurance.
- The co-pay for any given medication will be the same at every pharmacy.
- When the pharmacy fills your prescription, they will submit the information electronically to your insurance company.
**New! Get free same-day delivery to your door with Capsule Pharmacy**
Capsule provides free same-day prescription delivery to your residence hall or apartment within most of the greater Boston area, including Fenway, Medford, and Somerville. Capsule also provides you the ability to communicate with the pharmacist via text message. All insurances accepted. Simply ask your healthcare provider to prescribe to "Capsule - Boston" to get started!
For information on how to transfer your prescription to Capsule, you can visit their website. Questions? Text or call 617-544-2898.
Inman Pharmacy offers free delivery service to Health Service
Many students use Inman Pharmacy for its convenient delivery service. Inman Pharmacy is an independent pharmacy in Cambridge that fills and delivers prescriptions to Health Service on the Medford/Somerville campus. The pharmacy makes daily deliveries during Health Service hours of operation.
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.
Deliveries of prescriptions are made to Health Service on a pre-arranged schedule. The following are approximate times:
- During the academic year, Monday to Friday 10:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m
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
7 days a week - 8 a.m. to 9 p.m.
1 Davis Square, Somerville, MA 02144
617-629-4156 (phone) / 617-629-4758 (fax)
CVS Pharmacy
7 days a week - 24 hours a day
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
7 days a week - 8 a.m. to 10 p.m.
337 Broadway, Somerville
617-776-5104 (phone) / 617-776-7591 (fax)
CVS Pharmacy
Monday through Friday 8 a.m. to 10 p.m., Saturday and Sunday 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Magoun Square, 532 Medford Street, Somerville
617-628-1401 (phone) / 617-623-8227 (fax)
How to Transfer a Prescription from Another Pharmacy?
Transferring a prescription from one pharmacy to another is easy. The pharmacy receiving the prescription handles most of the work. You should contact the pharmacy receiving the prescription and ask them how they handle a prescription transfer.
In general, here's how it works:
- Simply call, stop by the pharmacy receiving the prescription (Receiving Pharmacy). In some cases, you can request the transfer online.
- Provide the name of the medication along with the name and phone number of the pharmacy sending the prescription (Transferring Pharmacy).
- The Receiving Pharmacy will contact the Transferring Pharmacy where your prescription is currently on file to get the information needed to fill your prescription. If the prescription has no remaining refills, the Receiving Pharmacy will contact the prescribing physician.
- Contact the Receiving Pharmacy for instructions on how to request the transfer online.
Translation and Interpreter Services
As part of our Office's mission to help you enhance and maintain your health we understand that also means being able to communicate with your parents, families and guardians. In order to better support the needs of both students and families we offer translation and interpreter services in over 200 languages through Protranslating for those who have questions, concerns or simply want to connect with our office. To request translation or interpreter services please contact our Business Office at 617-627-3350.
翻译服务 (Chinese)
帮助您提高和保持健康体魄是我们的使命之一，我们明白这也意味着需要和您的父母、家庭和监护人沟通。如果您有任何问题、疑虑或是想与我们联系，Protranslating 公司可为大家提供200多个语种的翻译服务，以更好地满足学生和家庭的需求。若需翻译服务，请与我们的商务部门联系，电话：617-627-3350.
Services de traduction (French)
Dans le cadre de sa mission, laquelle consiste à vous aider à améliorer et à maintenir votre santé, notre bureau est conscient de l'importance de pouvoir communiquer avec vos parents, vos familles et vos tuteurs. Afin de mieux répondre aux besoins des étudiants et de leurs familles, nous proposons donc, par l'entremise de Protranslating, des services de traduction dans plus de 200 langues pour tous ceux qui ont des questions, des préoccupations ou tout simplement souhaitent communiquer avec notre bureau. Pour demander des services de traduction, veuillez contacter notre bureau au 617-627-3350.
Übersetzungsdienste (German)
Als Teil unseres Anliegens, Ihre Gesundheit zu verbessern und zu erhalten, verstehen wir, wie wichtig es dabei ist, mit Eltern und Familienangehörigen in Verbindung bleiben zu können. Zur besseren Unterstützung der Studierenden und ihrer Familien bieten wir durch Protranslating Übersetzungsdienste für mehr als 200 Sprachen an, falls sie Fragen oder Sorgen haben oder einfach nur mit uns sprechen möchten. Um die Übersetzungsdienste in Anspruch zu nehmen, wenden Sie sich bitte an unser Geschäftsbüro unter der Telefonnummer 617-627-3350.
Servizi di traduzione (Italian)
Parte della missione del nostro Ufficio è far sì che tu possa migliorare e mantenere la salute. Capiamo pertanto l’importanza di poter comunicare con genitori, familiari e tutori. Al fine di soddisfare al meglio le esigenze di studenti e famiglie, offriamo servizi di traduzione in oltre 200 lingue tramite Protranslating per chiunque abbia domande, dubbi o voglia semplicemente rivolgersi al nostro ufficio. Per richiedere servizi di traduzione contattare il nostro Ufficio commerciale al 617-627-3350.
번역 서비스 (Korean)
모든 학생의 건강 관리 및 향상이 최우선 사항인 만큼 저희는 학부모, 가족 및 보호자와의 원할한 의사 소통 또한 아주 중요하다는 점을 잘 이해하고 있습니다. 학생 당사자와 가족의 필요를 돕기위해, 문의 또는 우려 사항이 있으신 경우, 저희는 전문 번역 업체인 Protranslating 에 의뢰하여 200여 이상의 언어로 번역 서비스를 제공해 드리고 있습니다. 번역 의뢰를 원하시면 저희 사무실(전화: 617-627-3350)로 연락해 주시기 바랍니다.
Servicios de traducción (Spanish)
Como parte del objetivo de nuestra Oficina para ayudarle a mejorar y mantener su salud, entendemos la importancia de la comunicación con sus padres, familiares y tutores. A fin de brindar un mejor apoyo a las necesidades tanto de los estudiantes como de sus familiares, ofrecemos servicios de traducción en más de 200 idiomas a través de Protranslating a quienes tengan preguntas, inquietudes o simplemente deseen comunicarse con nuestra oficina. Para solicitar servicios de traducción, comuníquese con nuestra Oficina Comercial al 617-627-3350.
Tuition Insurance (Optional)
Tuition is a substantial investment. We strongly encourage you to consider tuition insurance. Undergraduate students who leave the University during the first six weeks of classes are eligible for a refund of a percentage of tuition in accordance with the schedule set by the Bursar. There is no reimbursement after the sixth week unless the student purchase tuition Insurance before the beginning of the semester. Tuition insurance protects your financial commitment if your student needs to leave the university unexpectedly because of a health concern. Coverage for unanticipated medical leaves of absence allows the student and their parents/caregivers to focus on addressing the reasons for interrupting a term or year, instead of worrying about the possible financial repercussions of a leave. While this is true every year, we are still experiencing the physical and mental health consequences of a global health pandemic and it is more prudent than ever before to consider this protection.
Students with questions should contact Dewar at:
Phone: 617-774-1555
Fax: 617-774-1715
Email: trp@dewarinsurance.com
Students who are on leave are not charged tuition and fees and are not eligible for stipends.
COVID-19 Update: The Tuition Refund Plan policy at Tufts University does not exclude Covid-19, and therefore it would be treated as any other illness under the policy. Please note that the policy does not cover insured costs due to the college sending students off-campus and changing to an online instruction format.