Frequently Asked Questions

What if I get sick or need support when HCS is closed?

Mental Health Concerns: 

• HCS after-hours mental health support: Call HCS at 413.559.5458 and choose option 1 at the prompt.
• Hampshire County Crisis Services: Call CSO at 413.586.5555
• Hampshire College Campus Safety and Wellbeing: Call CSW at 413.559.5424

Medical concerns:

• HCS after-hours medical advice:  Call HCS at 413.559.5458 and choose option 2 at the prompt.
• UMass University Health Services (UHS) Urgent Care: Call UHS at 413.577.5000, 150 Infirmary Way, Amherst, MA

      Open Monday–Friday 9 a.m.–8 p.m., and Saturday and Sunday 11 a.m.–5 p.m.

• Amherst Urgent Care: Call 413.461.3530, 170 University Drive, Amherst, MA.

      Open Monday–Friday 8 a.m.–8 p.m. and weekends 9 a.m.–5 p.m.

• MedExpress Urgent Care: 413.253.0483, 424 Russell St. (Route 9), Amherst, MA.

      Open daily 8 a.m.–8 p.m.

How do I make an appointment?

• Call or come in-person to Health and Counseling Services: 413.559.5458, Montague House
• Indicate whether you would like to make an appointment with a medical or a mental health provider.
• Please have your health insurance information available when scheduling your appointment.  
• For confidentiality and privacy reasons, we are unable to schedule appointments via email or through a third party.

May I make an appointment regarding my reproductive health? (STI, Birth Control, Emergency Contraception) 

• All care is at HCS is CONFIDENTIAL.
• Call or come in-person to Health and Counseling Services: 413.559.5458, Montague House.  
• Request an appointment with one of our medical providers.  
• You will be able to discuss your concerns, have an examination (if warranted), and have recommended lab tests done during your appointment. If needed, HCS has emergency contraception (Plan B) available.

Can I get prescriptions filled at Health and Counseling Services?

Yes, if you have the written or faxed prescriptions from your provider at home and need refills while at Hampshire. We will ask you to meet with an HCS provider at least once to go over your health history. We will then send the prescription to the pharmacy at the University of Massachusetts Health Services and have the medication delivered by our courier service to Hampshire College Health Services. You can pay for your medication at Health and Counseling Services with cash, credit card, or a check.

If you have a chronic condition such as asthma, attention deficit disorder, high blood pressure, or depression and need an HCS provider to write a prescription (meaning you do not have the prescription from your provider at home), schedule an appointment to meet with an HCHCS provider. We will discuss your health condition and treat it appropriately.

Depending upon the chronic condition, the HCHCS provider may require more information from your previous providers or may decide to make a referral to a local medical specialist or therapist.

It is always best to plan ahead and schedule an appointment well before you run out of your current prescription. It will expedite your prescriptions if HCHCS has any pertinent health records faxed to our office before your appointment. Our fax is 413.559.5583 and our office phone is 413.559.5458.

Summer Prescription Plans: Please consult with the provider who prescribes your medications to send your prescriptions to the pharmacy you would like to use. To transfer your current refills please provide your new pharmacy with the following information: UHS Pharmacy @ UMASS Amherst: 413.577.5031, 150 Infirmary Way, Amherst MA 01003. Please allow up to 72 hours for a transfer.

If you are leaving the United States, call your insurance company or go on their website to request a vacation override for the time you will be traveling. Have your travel dates ready.

Can I get lab work done at Health and Counseling Services?

Yes, we have a small on-site lab for pregnancy tests, urine analysis, strep, flu, and Covid-19 testing. We will draw blood if it is indicated as part of your medical care at Hampshire Health Services.

If your provider at home or another specialist wants you to have lab tests done while you are at Hampshire, we ask that you schedule an appointment with an HCS provider who will assess the condition and the requested lab tests. We may recommend that students go to the local blood drawing station for specialized lab tests ordered by your specialists or providers at home.

We recommend the Cooley-Dickinson Hospital Outpatient Laboratory at 170 University Drive, Amherst, at 413.253.7546 for students who need extensive testing. This lab is on a bus line and is 3.8 miles north of Hampshire College.

Can my parents get access to my medical records here?

All healthcare records at Hampshire College Health and Counseling are held in strict confidence. Although this high degree of confidentiality may be a concern to parents seeking information, information pertaining to a student's healthcare at Hampshire is released only with the student's written consent or by a court-ordered subpoena.

Billing and Insurance

What does the $400 Health Services Fee cover?

The $400 per semester health services fee covers student office visits for mental health counseling, crisis response, public health, health promotion, and emergency preparedness activities. The fee also covers insurance co-payments for medical visits at Health Services.

What services at Health and Counseling Services will I have to pay for? What will be billed to my insurance?

Office visits and related services for health and counseling will be billed to your health insurance plan through the University of Massachusetts Amherst Health Services Billing. You will be responsible for any office visit charges, prescriptions, lab tests, or x-rays that are not covered by your insurance. These charges could be called "out of network care," "co-insurance," or "deductibles."

Am I required to purchase the Hampshire Blue Cross Blue Shield (BCBS) Student Insurance Plan?

No. Students are automatically enrolled in the BCBS student insurance, but can waive the BCBS plan by demonstrating comparable insurance coverage at www.gallagherstudent.com. Be sure your insurance plan will provide coverage for you in the Amherst area. Most local and mental health offices and medical facilities, including Hampshire College Health Services and the UMass University Health Services, are in-network providers with Blue Cross Blue Shield. The BCBS Student Insurance term covers one year from August 15–August 14 and can be used by students while away from campus over school breaks as well as during international travel.

Do I have to pay for prescriptions I receive at Health Services?

You are responsible for paying any pharmacy or prescription charges not covered by your health insurance. Payments are made at the time of pick-up. Pick up is located at the front desk of Health and Counseling Services.

If I received a bill for Health Services and have a question, who do I contact?

Call the Patient Accounts office at the University of Massachusetts Amherst Health Services, 413.577.5256. Bills can be paid by check or credit card, as indicated on your billing statement or online at www.umass.edu/uhs/billpay.

What should I do if my health insurance changes after the school year starts?

Please notify us if you have any changes in your health insurance at 413.559.5458 or upload a copy of your new insurance card to the patient portal.  

Do I need to bring my health insurance card with me to every appointment?

Yes. You will be asked to verify your insurance at every visit, so please bring your insurance card with you. We will also accept a cell phone picture of the front and back of your insurance card.