University Park Health Center
At USC every effort is made to help you achieve and maintain good physical, mental and social health. The University Park Health Center offers direct medical care and psychological counseling, as well as prevention programs to assist you in assuming responsibility for your personal well-being.
The University Park Health Center (UPHC) is located at 849 W. 34th Street.
Hours of Operation for Fall and Spring:
Monday, Tuesday and Thursday | 8:30 a.m.-7 p.m. |
Wednesday | 9:30 a.m.-7 p.m. |
Friday | 9:30 a.m.-5 p.m. |
Saturday and Sunday (urgent care only) | 10 a.m.-2 p.m. |
In addition to holidays, the health center is closed evenings (5-7 p.m.) during university recess periods. All closures will be posted in advance.
Hours of Operation for the Summer Session:
Monday through Wednesday | 8 a.m.-6 p.m. |
Thursday | 10 a.m.-6 p.m. |
Friday | 8 a.m.-6 p.m. |
Closed Saturdays, Sundays and university holidays. |
For further information, visit the USC-University Park Health Center Web site at www.usc.edu/uphc.
Eligibility for Services
Services at the UPHC are available to students who have paid the current semester student health fee. Fall or spring semester students, taking six or more units, are automatically assessed the health fee on their fee bill. Students taking fewer units may use the health center by paying the student health fee.
During the summer, health fee assessment is based on the number of weeks a student is in class and not on the number of units being taken. Continuing students from the spring semester, who are not taking summer classes, may use the health center by paying the summer health fee.
Although the student health fee covers most services rendered at the UPHC, there may be nominal charges for lab tests, prescriptions, immunizations, orthopedic appliances, copies of X-rays and copies of medical records.
For more information on eligibility and charges, please call the UPHC'’s cashier at (213) 740-0238.
Student Health Insurance
USC Student Health Insurance Plan coverage dates for the Fall 2009 semester are: August 17, 2009 - January 10, 2010.
The university requires that all students have supplemental health insurance to help cover the cost of health care that cannot be obtained at the health center, especially in emergency situations where hospitalization may be required.
All domestic students carrying 6 units or more are automatically enrolled in the USC student health insurance plan. Domestic students carrying less than 6 units or who drop classes before the drop/add date resulting in enrollment in less than 6 units must enroll themselves in the plan by the drop/add date if they wish to continue with USC student health insurance coverage for the semester. All international and/or health sciences students are automatically enrolled in the USC student health insurance plan regardless of the number of units in which they are enrolled.
The USC student health insurance plan works in conjunction with the university’s student health centers. All students enrolled in the USC student health insurance plan are assessed the student health center fee and are required to access their primary care at the student health center on their campus. Referrals are required in order to see providers outside the student health centers for non-emergency situations.
New Waiver Requirements
Enrollment in the USC student health plan will only be waived and the premium charge removed from the fee bill if documented proof of health coverage from another plan is presented to the student health insurance office on either campus by the deadline date. In order to receive a waiver of the USC student health insurance, the insurance presented must meet all the following requirements:
- Must provide at least $500,000 in lifetime aggregate coverage (no per incident maximums)
- Policy must have no major exclusions – pharmacy coverage, mental health coverage and maternity coverage (female students) are required
- Must have effective dates covering the entire semester for which the waiver is requested (verification may be requested by USC student health insurance office)
- Must have a policy year deductible of $2,500 or less
- Must pay for at least 70% of all covered expenses to providers in the Los Angeles area. Emergency coverage only in Los Angeles is not accepted for waiver
- Maximum out of pocket expense on the policy (deductible plus out of pocket maximum) must not exceed $7,500
- Identification card or policy with student name and/or policy information allowing USC to confirm eligibility must be provided
- Plan documents must be in English with currency amounts converted to U.S. dollars and an insurance company contact phone number in the U.S. must be provided
The waiver must be submitted by September 4, 2009.
For more information, email uscins@usc.edu or call the Student Insurance Office at (213) 740-0551.
Graduate Assistants
Graduate Assistants with a .25 award or higher may be eligible to have the USC student health plan and the USC Student Health Center fee paid for by their departments. Their assistantship award must show in the Student Financial Detail System. More information is available in your award packet through your academic department.
Student Health Insurance for Students Studying Overseas
Students enrolled in overseas study programs are required to have adequate health coverage. These students are automatically enrolled in the USC Overseas Studies health insurance plan for the duration of their overseas program unless they are enrolled in the USC health plan. For more information, call the Student Health Insurance Office at (213) 740-0551.
Mandatory Measles and Mumps Immunization Policy
The university requires all students to show proof of measles and mumps immunity prior to registering for classes. A photocopy documenting one of the following will serve as proof of immunity: (1) documentation (month and year) of receiving two doses of the combination MMR (Measles "Rubeola," Mumps and Rubella) vaccine OR two doses of measles vaccine and two doses of mumps vaccine; (2) documentation of a positive Measles (Rubeola) titer and Mumps titer (laboratory blood test); (3) documentation from a physician or clinic indicating a past diagnosis of the disease(s). All documentation must include an official signature or stamp from the physician or clinic. The first dose of Measles, Mumps or MMR vaccines must be given after the first birthday and the second given a minimum of four weeks after the first dose. Students born prior to Jan. 1, 1957 are considered immune and will automatically be listed as exempt from the Measles and Mumps requirement.
Meningococcal Meningitis Vaccination
The USC-University Park Health Center strongly recommends that all incoming USC freshmen receive the meningococcal meningitis vaccination before they come to campus or as soon as possible after arrival.
Meningococcal meningitis is a serious illness that can lead to brain damage, disability and death. College freshmen, particularly those who live in residence halls, have a modestly increased risk of getting this disease. Presently, there are two vaccines available. Both provide protection against four of the five most common strains. For information on this disease, please visit our Web site at www.usc.edu/uphc.
Tuberculosis Screening Requirement
All international students are required to be screened for tuberculosis in the United States or Canada within six months prior to their first semester of enrollment at USC. The following documentation will serve as proof of screening:
One of the following on printed letterhead from a physician or clinic: (1) documentation of a negative TB skin test (PPD) administered and read in the U.S. or Canada within six months prior to enrollment; (2) documentation of INH therapy for prophylaxis for at least six months and a written report of a negative chest X-ray performed in the U.S. or Canada within six months prior to enrollment; (3) documentation of a positive PPD skin test and a negative chest X-ray performed in the U.S. or Canada within six months prior to enrollment; (4) a written report of a negative chest X-ray performed in the U.S. or Canada within six months prior to enrollment for students with documentation of previous treatment for active tuberculosis.
Tuberculosis skin testing must be administered and read in the U.S. or Canada six months prior to enrollment and must include measurement of reaction in millimeters. A history of BCG immunization does not fulfill this requirement. Chest X-rays must be performed in the U.S. or Canada and must be presented in the form of a written report. X-ray films will not be accepted.
Students unable to provide the required documentation will be asked to receive a PPD skin test and, if necessary, a chest X-ray and provide us with that documentation. Please mail or deliver all screening/immunization documents to Immunization and Screening Requirements, 849 W. 34th St., Los Angeles, 90089-0311. For additional information, please call UPHC Student Services the Compliance Coordinator at (213) 740-1163.