About Health Services 

To schedule an appointment with Health Services, eligible students can:

• Schedule an appointment in the patient portal. 
    Video tutorial: Patient Portal 

• Call the Center for Student Wellness front desk at 803/323-2206 to schedule an appointment
• To schedule a physical or annual wellness exam, students need to call 803/323-2206.

ALL on-campus students must satisfy all immunization requirements by the first day of classes to avoid a non-refundable $100.00 Non-Compliance Fee. These immunization requirements must be met before students can be seen at the Center for Student Wellness. "Online-only" students who choose to utilize the Center for Student Wellness virtual visits must meet eligibility which includes complying with the immunization requirement prior to coming in."

Center For Student Wellness “CSW” HIPAA Compliance 

The Center for Student Wellness will comply with all regulatory requirements including Patient Rights as set forth in the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA) and amended by the Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health Act (HITECH).

The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 is designed to protect an individual's health information (referred to as "Protected Health Information" or PHI), and to restrict how PHI may be used and disclosed by health care providers, health plans and those accessing PHI to support the providers and plans.  The federal oversight agency for HIPAA is U.S. The Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), and the enforcement agency is the Office of Civil Rights (OCR).

HIPAA applies to "covered entities," "hybrid entities," and "business associates." Covered entities are defined in the HIPAA rules as (1) health plans, (2) health care clearinghouses, and (3) health care providers who electronically transmit any health information in connection with transactions for which HHS has adopted standard.

Reason(s) for the Policy

The HIPAA Privacy Rule affords students certain rights related to their health information including rights to examine and obtain a copy of certain health records and to request corrections to their health information in those records. This policy informs workforce members how CSW administers patients’ privacy rights as required by the HIPAA Privacy Rule.

The HIPAA Privacy Rule provides patients with rights related to the use and disclosure of their protected health information (PHI). These rights are described in the Notice of Privacy Practices (Notice). The Notice is provided to every new patient, posted in faculty practice locations, and posted on the medical center website. The Notice informs patients of their privacy rights and how to exercise their rights. Patients should be directed to or provided with the appropriate HIPAA form to make a request or file a complaint. 

Security Policy 18.0 ePHI Safeguards 

Policy Purpose:

It is the policy of CSW to ensure that ePHI is protected from misuse, loss, tampering, or use by unauthorized persons.  This policy addresses the safeguarding of ePHI received, created, used, maintained, and/or transmitted via the communication media listed. ePHI shall be disclosed to personnel, patients, their personal representatives, other covered entities, public health officials, and business associates, in accordance with HIPAA regulations and this policy.

Policy Description:

The HIPAA Privacy Rule, 45 CFR 164.530, requires CSW to develop and implement safeguards to protect the privacy of PHI and ePHI. The HIPAA Security Rule section 164.306(a) requires the safeguarding of the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of ePHI that CSW creates, receives, maintains, or transmits. Together, these two rules provide safeguards for communication of ePHI.

Confidentiality

All conversations, examinations, and interviews with students are covered by state law and ethics of confidentiality. In emergency cases, where life or limb is threatened, the policy of confidentiality will be governed by one of reasonableness and accepted statutes. A student's permission must be given by written consent before Health Services can release specific medical information or any portion of a medical record including releases to parents, university officials, and external agencies.

Notice of Privacy Practices (pdf - 229 KB)

The Center for Student Wellness fee is $230.00 per regular semester (amount is subject to change). This fee is assessed to undergraduate students enrolled in 6 or more credit hours (on-line or in-person) and graduate students enrolled in 9 or more credit hours (on-line or in-person). Students not assessed this required fee, e.g., undergraduates taking under 6 credit hours and graduates under 9 credit hours, may access all regular services offered at the Center for Student Wellness by paying the $230 per regular semester fee. Summer students may access services at the Center for Student Wellness since all fees are rolled into the regular summer credit hour fee. Office visits are offered at no charge. Some services, e.g., laboratory, medical supplies/procedures, will incur a minimal fee (pdf - 170 KB).
*Winthrop students who are NOT eligible to utilize services from the Center for Student Wellness:

•  Students who are senior citizens
•  Students who are Winthrop University employees
•  Students taking special courses
•  Students studying abroad
• Students who are pregnant will not be seen in Health Services. They will be referred to their primary physician, obstetrician, urgent care center or ER for care.

In the summer, students not taking classes but registered for the previous and following semesters may use Health Services if the requirements for immunizations, as stated above, have been met. A $10 fee per visit will be charged. The student is responsible for any other charges incurred. All charges are billed to the student's account as "Health Services" and are due upon receipt of service.

• Why is there a Center for Student Wellness fee on my tuition bill?
• Information about the Student Health Insurance Plan
• Student Insurance Enrollment Guide (pdf - 541K)
• BlueCare On Demand (pdf - 531K)
• BCBS Member Messaging
• BCBS My Health Toolkit
• Frequently asked questions about the Center for Student Wellness