Frequently Asked Questions

How do I get a referral to a specialist?

The Emerson College Student Health Insurance Plan (SHIP) does not require you to have a referral to see a specialist. Some specialty practices may request a “non-formal referral” from a general practitioner before seeing a patient (please confirm with the specialist office). Therefore, it is advisable to meet with the Emerson Health Center practitioners prior to seeking care from a specialist.

If you have insurance through an employer or parent plan, consult your insurer directly for specific referral and authorization requirements. Most plans provide subscribers with a listing of plan clinicians and specialists. The Health Services staff can also help you find a local specialist.

How can I get my immunization or other medical records?

Medical records are retained for seven years from graduation or separation from Emerson. Please contact healthservices [at] emerson.edu (healthservices[at]emerson[dot]edu) for assistance obtaining your records

How do I sign up for a alcohol or cannabis education class?

There are several sessions of alcohol or cannabis education classes offered each semester. To attend a class, you must:

• Choose a date/time that works with your schedule.
• Register online at least 24 hours in advance.

Questions? Contact the Health Services or Community Standards and Student Conduct.

What if I have a problem with my insurance bill?

Payment on filed claims for covered expenses will be mailed directly to the hospital or doctor unless proof of payment is submitted with the claim. Once a claim is processed, an Explanation of Benefits (EOB) Statement will be mailed to you explaining the benefit paid to the provider. The provider will then send you a statement indicating if a balance is due. Please update your mailing address to ensure you receive claim forms and EOB statements in a timely manner.

Helpful Hints

• Don’t put off following up. Medical and dental practices are quick to turn bills over to collection agencies and this can hurt your credit rating!
• Review the Explanation of Benefits (EOB) form sent from your insurer.
• If you did not receive an EOB but only the bill for service, contact the billing office of the facility issuing the bill.
• All customer service inquiries, including provider network questions, should be directed to your insurance claims department. (For students enrolled in the College-sponsored program, call University Health Plans at 800-437-6448.)
• Call the provider to make sure the claim was submitted correctly and confirm that it has your correct information (spelling of name, DOB, insurance carrier, and policy number/address). Ask to have it resubmitted.
• Keep a log of your phone or email contacts/notes with date/time and name of the customer service representative you spoke with.
• Make a copy of all letters/bills/documents you submit.
• Worried about confidentiality for any EOB or insurance bills? Learn more about the MA PATCH Act, which helps protect your sensitive health information. Information shared during visits with the EWC is always confidential.

If you disagree with how a claim was processed, request a review of the decision. In general, requests must be made in writing within 180 days of receipt of the EOB. Check with your insurer for specific requirements and the address to submit your request for appeal. The request must include why you disagree with the way the claim was processed. The request must also include any additional information that supports the claim (e.g., medical records, physician’s office notes, operative reports, physician’s letter of medical necessity).

Why do I have a health hold?

Health Holds will prevent a student from adding, dropping, or switching courses.  Health holds will automatically be removed when a student becomes compliant with their health requirements.

I missed a class. How do I get a doctor’s note?

Health Services does not provide students with notes excusing them from missing class or academic obligations. This is outlined in full in the Emerson College Student Handbook. Students should communicate with their professors about expectations regarding absences.

Health Forms and Immunizations Compliance

I can't get my doctor to sign the Emerson College immunization verification form. What should I do?

You do not need your medical provider to sign the Emerson-specific form. The Health Services will accept other verifiable records (like a print out from the doctor's office, a prior school record, a department of public health document, immunization booklets, etc). Please take a photo and upload it to the Health Portal. We will let you know if it is not acceptable. Don't forget you need to enter each DATE of vaccination or blood work in the Health Portal. Click on Immunizations, and Enter Dates.

How can I see a clinician?

Please call Health Services at 617-824-8666 x1 to schedule an appointment. If you do not reach someone directly, leave a detailed voicemail with your name, your phone number, your Emerson ID number, and the reason for your call and someone will return your call as soon as possible.

The health center is open during the academic year and summer with modified hours. We are closed during major holidays and winter breaks, our staff will respond to phone or email inquiries upon return.

I can't get my doctor to sign the Emerson College immunization verification form. What should I do?

You do not need your medical provider to sign the Emerson-specific form. The Health Services will accept other verifiable & legible records (like a print out from the doctor's office, a prior school record, a department of public health document, immunization booklets, etc). Please scan or take a photo of your records and upload them to the Health Portal. We will let you know if your documentation is not acceptable. Don't forget you need to enter each DATE of vaccination or blood work in the Health Portal. Click on Immunizations, and then enter dates. 

Who needs to complete the pre-entrance health forms and meet immunization compliance?

• All full-time students (>8 credits for undergraduates and >4 credits for graduate students) taking on-campus classes at Emerson College. Low-residential graduate programs are included.
• Regardless of full-time or part-time:
  • All students on a visa must meet immunization compliance.
  • All CSD students must meet immunization compliance.
• Part-time domestic students and 100 percent online students do NOT need to meet immunization compliance. If a student starts as part-time but becomes full-time, the student needs to meet compliance.
• Speech@Emerson students submit their immunizations through the Castle Branch portal. Health Services does not manage the Castle Branch portal, please check with your advisor if you have questions.

Which vaccines are required? Why do students need to be vaccinated?

Per Commonwealth of Massachusetts regulation (105 CMR 220.600), Emerson College’s pre-entrance required immunizations are listed on the Immunizations page.

School immunization requirements exist to protect students and members of their community from serious vaccine-preventable diseases by ensuring high vaccination rates.

Is a flu shot required?

A flu shot (seasonal influenza vaccine) is strongly recommended by the Commonwealth of MA for all on-campus students.

When are health forms and immunizations due for incoming fall students? spring students?

Fall: July 15
Spring: January 5

What if I’m having trouble getting my immunization records?

We accept verifiable & legible records. If you have a printed list of vaccinations with your doctor’s office letterhead or previous school record, that is acceptable. Contact your medical provider’s office, previous school, use your state public health records (where applicable), or government health organization to request a copy of your immunization records. Once you have these records, please upload them to the Student Health Portal. Do not mail or fax copies.

What if I am having trouble getting my immunizations. What should I do?

If you are missing immunizations,, check with your primary care provider, local health or urgent care centers, and pharmacies. If you are having difficulties accessing past immunization records, you may request blood tests (titers) from your provider for certain immunizations (Hepatitis B, Varicella, MMR: Measles/Mumps/Rubella) to determine if you have immunity.  Please submit any records (even if not complete) by July 15. Please do not wait until the last minute to request your immunizations as it may take a few weeks to process the request. It is expected that you will be fully immunized at the time of arrival.

My home country does not offer all of the required vaccines (e.g., Tdap). What should I do?

We understand that certain countries do not offer all of the required vaccines. Please contact the Emerson Wellness Center for more information on how to obtain these vaccines once you are in the United States. Please submit documentation of as many immunizations as you can prior to July 15. Everyone is able to complete the required medical forms regardless of having their immunization records.

What happens if I miss the July 15 deadline?

Immunization compliance is a condition for enrollment at Emerson College. There will be a health hold on your student account. If you continue to be out of compliance, your ability to attend classes will be affected.  Please contact Health Services if you are having trouble meeting the July deadline.

What should I do if I can’t finish a series of vaccinations before July 15?

The Health Services will provide an extension for students currently in the process of a vaccine course. The extension will end on the date when the next vaccine is due. If you continue to be out of compliance, your ability to attend classes will be affected.  Please contact Health Services if you are having trouble meeting the July deadline.

Do I need a TB test?

If you answered YES to any of the questions on the TB Risk Assessment Questionnaire, you need a TB test (Quantiferon GOLD blood test) AFTER June 1. The TB test must be completed no more than three months prior to the start of classes. Download the TB Results Form in the Medical Forms section to bring with you to your provider or clinic.

Do I need a physical exam?

The Communication Sciences and Disorders on-campus graduate program requires documentation of a physical exam within the last three (3) years. There is not a specific Emerson form for this. All undergraduate programs and other graduate programs do NOT require a physical exam.

What should I do if there is an “immunization done too early” message?

Vaccines (especially ones with multi-doses) are required to be given at a certain time or time intervals to be acceptable.  If one of your vaccines was given “too early,” you will either need another dose of the vaccine or a blood test to verify immunity. For more information about Massachusetts’ immunization guidelines for schools, see mass.gov/info-details/school-immunizations.

What if my blood test (titer) says my immunity is equivocal or borderline?

To be acceptable, the result must be positive. An equivocal or borderline result would be treated as a negative result to immunity. Students will need a booster dose or to restart the series of the vaccine based on discussion with a clinician.

What if I have a medical or religious exemption?

If you have a medical condition that prevents immunization or if immunization sincerely contradicts your religious belief please complete the exemption form, available on the Student Health Portal. For medical exemptions, documentation is required as well. Massachusetts recognizes true religious exemptions but not philosophical exemptions. Staff and faculty must submit an exemption request through Human Resources.

*Note: Some PDFs may not be accessible for assistive technologies. If you need assistance accessing the file's contents, please contact our department.