The University does not obligate itself for payment of medical services other than those provided by personnel employed or retained by the University and in facilities owned or contracted by the University.

Dispensary care including the physician is free of charge unless otherwise indicated.

The student has free choice of:

  • Seeking medical help from any source he or she deems necessary at his or her own expense.
  • Using the services provided by the University according to the following procedure: report to the nurse in the Health Suite at the onset of an illness or injury. The nurse will evaluate, advise, or refer the student to the campus physician as required. The physician will see students by appointment or as needed.

Confidentiality

Use of the health service provided by the University is completely voluntary. The student-nurse relationship and all student records are confidential except in certain cases such as communicable disease when reports are required by law for public health officials. No information on a health record may be released without prior written consent of the student.

Medical Entrance Compliance

Notice to Incoming Students

Penn State University requires all degree-seeking students to be immunized against measles, mumps, and rubella and to submit this information online. Students are also encouraged to complete an online Health History form.

You will be able to access the secure website either before you receive your notice to attend New Student Orientation or after you have registered for classes (using your Penn State access account ID).

Failure to comply with the above requirement will result in the student being denied permission to register for classes.

Please go to University Health Services website to submit your information online.

New University Health Services (UHS) Policy for Verification of Illnesses

ROUTINE ILLNESS-RELATED ABSENCES

For routine illness-related absences, students should correspond directly with the faculty as soon as possible regarding their situation, ideally before the miss a class, exam, or other evaluative activity.

SIGNIFICANT, PROLONGED ABSENCES

For significant, prolonged illnesses lasting about a week, UHS may provide "Verification of Significant Illness." These verifications will not be provided for illnesses such as colds, and flu-like or self-limited gastrointestinal illnesses. Verification will only be provided for serious illnesses for which UHS clinicians have provided services of for which the appropriate medical documentation from outside clinicians is provided to UHS.

OUTSIDE HEALTH CARE PROVIDERS

If students have received care from an outside provider for a significant, prolonged illness, they must provide appropriate documentation to the Health Services Office at Room 104, Williams Building.