Regulations regarding cost of health services, confidentiality and required
student health insurance

All full-time students (with 12 or more credits) including full-time graduate students (with 9 or more credits) ) must submit a completed student health history and immunization report form to BSU Health Services. Massachusetts immunization laws apply to full-time students of all ages. Proof of immunization must be provided by a physician, health organization or prior school and must include the dates (month and year) of: two doses of measles, mumps, rubella (MMR), one dose of tetanus/diphtheria/pertussis (Tdap) within the last 10 years, three doses of hepatitis B vaccine and two doses of varicella (chickenpox). Physician documented proof of chickenpox will also satisfy the varicella requirement. Serologic laboratory proof (blood test) of immunity will be acceptable for MMR, varicella, and hepatitis B. Immunization requirements apply as well to international students attending or visiting classes as part of our academic exchange program. International students from countries with endemic tuberculosis (a high incidence of tuberculosis) are also required to have a negative skin test for tuberculosis (or if positive, a negative chest x-ray or proof of treatment) before entry onto the campus.

All newly entering residential students must provide proof of one a dose of meningococcal vaccine within the last five years before moving into the residence halls.

A student, or the student's parent or guardian if the student is a minor, may opt to sign a meningitis waiver which details that the student has reviewed information about the risks and dangers of meningococcal disease and has elected to decline the vaccine. Such a waiver must also be submitted before the student moves into the residence halls as dictated by 105 CMR 220.700 (C).

Any visit to Health Services or conversation with a staff member is a private matter.

Your medical record is held by Health Services, but belongs to you. A Notice of Privacy Practices (NPP) is posted and obtainable in Health Services. The NPP details your right to privacy. Your record is confidential and all disclosures (with the exception of federal and state law requirements) require your signed authorization for release.

As part of Health Services' broad-based initiative to improve the health of the university population, disease prevention and health promotion are emphasized through health education programs offered in residence halls, athletic facilities, the campus center and other on-campus locations. Programs deal with timely issues such as alcohol responsibility, drug/addiction education, acquaintance rape awareness and prevention, minimizing risk, smoking cessation, eating disorders, nutrition, weight management, help-seeking behaviors and stress management.

If you are a full-time student or a student carrying at least 75 percent of a full-time course load, (nine credits or more for an undergraduate, seven credits or more for a graduate student), on a yearly basis, you must provide proof (through an electronic waiver process) of comprehensive health insurance coverage. It is a Massachusetts state law. For students without comprehensive health coverage, Bridgewater State University sponsors an affordable Student Health/Accident Insurance Plan which provides 24-hour coverage during the enrollment period. Insurance waivers and enrollments are available on the Bridgewater State University Health Services web page. Deadlines for waivers are 30 days from the beginning of each semester.

All full and 3/4-time students are required to participate in this program unless they can certify they have comparable coverage. An electronic waiver must be submitted yearly as proof of comparable coverage.

Participation in an uncompensated care pool program may not be used as the basis for requesting an insurance waiver. Commonwealth Care does not cover full-time students and may not be used to waive the BSU-sponsored health insurance. Some students qualify for subsidized insurance instead and should check with Commonwealth Care Customer Service.

All international students must be covered under the university-sponsored insurance plan, unless they are participating in an embassy-sponsored program or a program with American-based insurance. Coverage by insurance carriers outside the U.S. and coverage by foreign national health service programs are deemed not to be comparable to the required insurance program.

Failure to comply with the above stipulations will result in a "hold" on your student account which will prevent you from registering for classes, obtaining transcripts and graduating. For complete information, contact BSU Health Services.

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