Regulations regarding cost of health services, confidentiality and required
health and accident 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 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 (chicken pox). Physician documented proof of chicken pox will also satisfy the varicella requirement. Serologic laboratory proof 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 5 years (at least two weeks prior to the beginning of classes).

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 at least two weeks prior to the beginning of classes.

No such student shall live in on-campus residence halls without this certificate, except as provided in 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, the campus center and at health fairs. Programs deal with timely issues such as alcohol responsibility, acquaintance rape awareness and prevention, AIDS education, eating disorders, nutrition, weight management and stress management.

If you are a full-time student or a student carrying at least 75 percent of a full-time course load, (9 credits or more for an undergraduate, 7 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 waiver 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 Health Services.

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