| The center is open only when school is in session and is closed during Intercession, weekends and WTAMU holidays. The front desk will be open Monday - Friday 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. for administrative purposes. Appointments Call 806-651-DCTR (3287) or schedule an appointments online. Appointments are required and we make every effort to work around class and work schedules. Students must be currently enrolled and present their Buffalo Gold Card. If you are unable to keep an appointment, please contact Medical Services so another student may be scheduled. No Shows As a patient of Student Medical Services, it will be your responsibility to keep scheduled appointments. The clinic will consider a no show/non-cancellation appointment at any time a patient has not given advanced notice within 1 hour of the appointment time or has failed to arrive within 5 minutes of their appointment time. All no show appointments are subject to a $5 non-cancellation fee or a $10 non-cancellation fee for recurring no-shows and/or appointments requiring 30 minutes or longer. No walk-ins -- appointment required. Be sure to bring your Buffalo Gold Card with you to your appointment! You will be carded as you enter the building. Emergencies For emergencies, call 911. Emergency and after hour care is available through local physicians, clinics and hospitals. Students with severe injuries or life threatening situations should go directly to the hospital or an emergency center for treatment. We are not an emergency center and do not provide assessments for worker's compensation cases. Payment, Insurance The $41.80 student health fee, paid upon enrollment, covers the cost of most office visits, however, there may be charges for diagnostic tests, injections and some procedures. Fees typically are $5 for most prescriptions, $35 - $55 for X-ray services and $7 and up for lab testing. Patients are encouraged to pay at the time of service. Patients who do not pay within 14 days will incur a $2 processing fee and a hold on academic records. Statements will be mailed approximately 14 days after the date of service. The statement will include the $2 processing fee. Medical Services accepts cash, check, Buffalo Gold Card, Visa, Master Card, American Express or Discover. The student health fee does not cover referrals or emergency care at any other facility. Any unpaid balance not paid within a 90 day period or by the close of the semester is subject to collection fees assed by an outside agency. Medical Services does not bill insurance. Patients may file their own claim. A copy of the bill with CPT and ICD9 coding will be available upon request. Insurance Plans Several student insurance plans are available through the Texas A&M University System and Associated Insurance Plans. An optional insurance plan is available for WTAMU students to purchase. The Texas A&M University system Stuent Health Insurance Program for the 2013-2014 plan year has changed. Blue Cross Blue Shiled will be the new carrier. The estimated amount for student only insurance is approximately $1,277 for the 2013-2014 plan year. More information will be posted as soon as it is received. Summer 2013 students can purchase the Texas A&M University System and Associated Insurance Plans Please select from the pull down list for the following plans that are approved by the Texas A&M University System:
For more information about the student health insurance plans please go to the following Texas A&M University Insurance website www.TAMUINSURANCE.com or call 800-452-5772. Patient Assistance Programs There are patient assistance programs that can provide financial assistance for routine prescription medications (this does not include contraceptives) to patients that are uninsured and qualify as low income. Please schedule an appointment with the Patient Advocate - Hayley Robinson, RN. (previous tax returns and proof of income is required) The Texas Vaccine for Children Program provides financial assistance for the meningitis vaccine and the HPV - Gardasil vaccine to students who are 18 or younger and are uninsured,. The price of these vaccines are $10 to those who qualify for the TVFC Program. Fever information: - A low grade ranges from 99.8 degrees to 100.9 degrees F.
- A mild fever ranges from 101 degrees to 102 degrees F.
- A moderate fever - 102 degrees to 103 degrees F.
- Call your health care provider if your fever spikes suddenly or if it does not come down after being treated with Tylenol, Advil or similar medication.
- A high fever is 104 degrees F or higher and is cause for immediate medical attention.
- Call your health care provider right away if you have a fever and experience any of these additional conditions: difficulty breathing, neck stiffness, seizure, confusion, persistent sore throat, persistent vomiting, severe headache, unusual skin rash, severe throat swelling, frequent or painful urination, diarrhea or pain in your ear.
Cold Care Packs: Free to currently enrolled students. The cold care packs contains: decongestants, antihistamines, cough medication and pain relievers/fever reducer, no appointment necessary. Digital Thermometers Student Medical Services is now selling digital thermometers for $1.00 . (Compare to other local vendor's price of $4.93. ) Sick Notes The medical staff will write an excuse note for class or work if the student was ill or injured and only if our providers were involved in the medical care of the student. Please note: Our medical providers cannot write excuse notes for illnesses or problems for which we never provided care. Unless specifically requested to do so by the patient, we do NOT place a diagnosis on an excuse note. A patient's medical condition is his/her own private and confidential information. Your instructors and employers have no right to obtain your diagnosis unless you personally choose to share it with them. Furthermore, we do not release information about your medical and/or psychological condition to the University administrators, instructors, parents (unless you are a minor) or employers without your specific request and release. Staff - Director: LuAnne Rickwartz, RN
- Board Certified Family Physician: Jim Gibbs, MD
- Fellowship Trained Sports Medicine Physician - Clay Stewart, MD
- Family Nurse Practitioners: Candy Marshall, RN, FNP and Wendy Hearn, RN, FNP
- X-ray technician: Donna Adams-Stevens, R.T.(R)
- Registered nurses: Hayley Robinson, RN, Patient Assistant Advocate and LuAnne Rickwartz, RN
- Medical Office Manager: Lori O'Toole
- Pharmaceutical Technician: Thomas Wieck
- CPR/AED Coordinator: Position Open
- Office Assistants: Abigail Miller, Christina Hitchcock, and Kelsey Foreman
- Nurse Tech - Kelsey Foreman
Other professionals, medical students, nurse practitioner students, nursing students, etc., may also be involved with patient care. You may, within reason, select the professional caring for you. Updated May 9, 2013
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