Navigating Healthcare

Recommendations for Students Being Prepared to Access Healthcare on Their Own 

• Know about your insurance plan.
  • Insurance card or photo of the front and back in their phone
  • Learning basic information about health insurance, our broker created this video about PPO plans: https://student.jcbins.com/storage/app/public/Insurance_101.mp4
  • Know what out of pockets costs and what providers you can see 

This Health Insurance Worksheet is a good place to start. 

• Plan ahead for what pharmacy, urgent care, and emergency room you would use if needed that is in-network for your health plan, If you are not feeling well and it is after-hours or the SHC does not have availability, then you already have a plan. 
• Add SU Public Safety non-emergency line in the phone to be able to quickly ask for help, 206-296-5990 as well as the emergency line if the situation is more emergent, 206-296-5911. 
• First aid kit including a thermometer and medications you would commonly have on hand at home should be purchased to have on hand as a student.  This will allow you to be able to take care for yourself when sick and not need to go out to the pharmacy. 

Urgent Healthcare Options 

• SU Student Health Center – Functions as a primary clinic but does reserve same day appointments for more urgent needs. These appointments fill quickly during cold/flu season. 
• Telehealth through TimelyCare is available 24/7 
• Local Urgent Care center with transportation available through SU Public Safety at 206-296-5990. For a list of urgent care centers please see the Emergency and After Hours page. 
• Other telehealth visit. Most insurance companies have an option of telehealth. Information about some other options including Teladoc for Aetna Student Health please see the Emergency and After Hours page. 

Scheduling Appointments 

• SU Student Health Center – For non-urgent health concerns, students can usually get an appointment within 1-2 weeks. Care provided by nurse practitioners with full prescriptive authority. There is not priority for urgent type visits given to students who are already established at the SHC; the same day appointments are filled by any student.  
• SU is located in the middle of 3 major medical centers with many primary care providers within walking distance including Swedish Family Medicine and Polyclinic.
• If your student was seeing a specialist back home, it is recommended that they establish themselves with a specialist in Seattle.  Their primary care physician and/or health care plan should be able to make recommendations.