Hours of Operation:
Services at the Student Health Center are available by appointment. To make an appointment, simply call 202-885-3380 or stop by the SHC on the 1st Floor of McCabe Hall. The SHC is open from 9 AM – 6:00PM Monday through Friday. During semester breaks and the Summer the Student Health Center is open from 9 AM - 5:00 PM.

Who is eligible to be seen at the Student Health Center?
All student enrolled in credit bearing courses at American University, regardless of the type of insurance they carry, are eligible for care in the Student Health Center.

Medical Emergencies and After Hours Care:
Students who live on campus and experience a medical emergency, or become ill after the SHC is closed, should immediately notify the Resident Assistant on duty or the Resident Director on duty. If you are off campus and have a medical emergency, call 911 to activate the DC Emergency Medical Services system.

Immunizations:
District of Columbia law requires that all students under age 26, enrolled in schools within the district, provide proof of having had the following immunizations: Two vaccinations against Measles, Mumps, and Rubella, given after 1 year of age and at least 30 days apart; one Diphtheria/Tetanus booster given within the past ten years; two doses of Varicella (Chicken Pox) vaccine 60 days apart, and a series of three Hepatitis B immunizations administered over a 6-month period. First year, resident students are also required to have the Meningococcal vaccine. The mandatory immunization should be completed with your physician present so s/he can consolidate your records and update any immunizations you may be missing. If you submit an immunization form that is incomplete, has invalid dates, or lacks a validating stamp, it will not be processed and will delay your registration for classes.

Health Education Programs:
The SHC is also home to the Wellness Center, located behind the Student Health Center on the first floor of McCabe Hall. Students are invited to stop by and talk to a health educator, ask some questions of the peer educators, or pick up literature. For more information, call the Wellness Center at x3276.

Student Insurance:
If you are contemplating the purchase of student medical insurance or re-evaluating your current insurance plan, it would be prudent to participate in a plan which provides broad coverage at school and can also be utilized at home.

At American University, medical insurance is mandatory for all full-time degree, resident and international students (except those on A, G, and H visas). Students who do not specifically waive medical insurance are automatically billed for the university sponsored insurance plan. Policy information and Insurance ID cards will be mailed to the permanent residence address.

To confirm acceptance of the university sponsored medical insurance plan, complete the Insurance Registration on-line form at my.american.edu. To waive the university plan, an Insurance Registration/Waiver form must be submitted prior to the waiver deadline, with proof of comparable, alternate insurance coverage. The Insurance Registration/Waiver form can be submitted electronically at my.american.edu. Please note: Medical insurance coverage is available at an additional cost to part-time students carrying at least six credit hours, spouses, domestic partners, and children of students enrolled in the university sponsored plan. For information call the Student Insurance Office at (202) 885-3298.

Referral Policy:
If you are covered by the AU Student Health Insurance Plan, the Student Health Center is your primary care provider and should be your first stop for your health care needs. The SHC can take care of most routine internal medicine and GYN problems (including annual GYN exams and physicals), and will refer you as needed for specialty care, diagnostic testing, or therapeutic services.

• Referrals are valid for 60 days from the date it is written and covers services provided by the consulting provider. The insurance company requires a separate referral from the SHC for additional services (such as MRI or physical therapy) that the consultant may order. Your provider at the SHC must have the consultant’s report before issuing these referrals, or before issuing a new consult after the initial 60 days.
• If you are referred to a specialist directly from an emergency room, it is important that the specialist be a participating provider with the Student Health Insurance Plan in order to maximize your benefit. In an emergency situation, one initial visit with the specialist can occur without a referral, but subsequent visits must have a referral from the SHC. Your provider at the SHC must have the consultant’s report before issuing these referrals.