Health Services

Good health is a vital component of a student's college experience. It is an integral part of a successful learning process. The mission of Health Services at MCLA is to promote and support each student in achieving their academic goals by empowering them to attain and maintain an optimal level of health. These goals are met through education, consultation, assessment, evaluation, and treatment of health issues to promote wellness. MCLA's Health Services welcomes and respects the diverse college community that we serve. The professional staff is committed to providing confidential, high-quality, evidence-based healthcare to every student. 

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Health Insurance: Massachusetts college students are required to have primary health insurance.  Coverage under an existing plan must meet guidelines mandated by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. MCLA sponsors a Student Health Insurance plan through Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts. The Student Accounts Office will automatically bill for this insurance unless a waiver (proof of comparable policy) is completed. 

Bring your health insurance card with you each time you come to Health Services. If you’re covered under your parents’ insurance, ask them for a copy of the card.  

MCLA Health Services does not bill for services that are provided on site. Although, any medical tests such as: laboratory (blood tests, STI tests), radiological imaging, and prescriptions performed or obtained off-site will be billed directly to the student's health insurance. This may result in a copay, deductible or balance due that is the student's responsibility. Health Services is not able to advise students regarding what may or may not be covered by their individual plan. 

• Health Insurance Waiver
• Health Insurance Enrollment

Required Immunizations: MCLA policy and Massachusetts Immunization Laws 105 CMR 220.00 and 105 CMR 220.600 require all full-time undergraduate and graduate students under 30 years of age* to submit immunization records. While these are the minimum requirements, we recommend all students be immunized to prevent outbreaks. Failure to submit proof of immunizations will result in an academic hold. 

Students who must be in compliance with our immunization requirements include: 

• *All residential students are required to satisfy all screening and immunization requirements regardless of age or credits prior to moving onto campus for summer, fall or spring semesters.
• Undergraduate commuter students who are taking 9 or more credits and are under age 30.
• Graduate students taking 9 or more credits and are under age 30. This includes students who may alternate between part time to full time status for an individual semester.  
• Students in any Health Science program including Radiologic Technology and Nursing, regardless of age or credits. 

Students attending MCLA from international locations regardless of age or credits. This includes students attending through any visa, including Visiting Scholars and foreign exchange students. 

The following documentation of immunizations with appropriate dates are required by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts: 

• 2 doses of measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) or laboratory evidence of immunity.
• 2 doses of varicella vaccine or laboratory evidence of immunity or documentation by a health care provider stating that the student has a reliable history of chickenpox with the month and year documented.
• 1 dose of Tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis-Tdap within 10 years.
• 3 doses of Hepatitis B vaccine or laboratory evidence of immunity.
• 1 dose of meningitis ACWY (formerly MCV4) vaccine for students 21 years of age or younger. The dose must have been received on or after the student’s 16th birthday. The Law provides exemption for meningococcal vaccine only for students signing a waiver that can be reviewed and downloaded from the Health Services web page.
• T-SPOT or IGRA Test — Required for International Students Only

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You have the right to:

• Be treated with dignity, respect, and compassion.
• Know all the facts we have about your illness, treatments and possible outcomes. Your healthcare provider will give these facts to you in the most accurate and honest way.
• Know the name, specialty and credentials of the healthcare provider responsible for your care.
• Have a chaperone present during any examination.
• Say yes to treatment, or to refuse treatment.
• Participate in decision-making.
• Agree to an advance directive, such as a healthcare proxy, which tells your healthcare provider how you want to be treated and whom you want to make decisions for you if you cannot speak for yourself at the time. The person you choose in your proxy is your healthcare agent.
• Be examined or communicate in private with the healthcare professional.
• Look at your medical record and get a copy for a reasonable fee.
• Receive a copy of MCLA Health Services Notice of Privacy Practice. 

You are responsible for:

• Allowing enough time for examination and explanation by the provider (minimally 30 minutes).
• Providing insurance information when necessary and knowing the extent and limitations of your insurance benefits.
• Honestly telling the staff about your current symptoms, your health history or any other information regarding your health that will help us treat you.
• Following the treatment plan recommended by your healthcare provider.
• Telling us the medications you are taking, including the strength and how often you take them. Include over-the-counter medications, dietary supplements and herbal products you take, and/or alternative medicines or treatments you receive. Report any allergies or reactions you have had to any medications.
• Being considerate of MCLA Health Services staff and other patients, and respectful of MCLA Health Service’s property and the property of others.
• Asking questions and discussing concerns with the provider concerning your diagnosis, treatment and prognosis of your illness or any instructions given. 

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By law, all MCLA Health Services visits and medical records are confidential. No information can be released, either verbally or in writing, unless you sign a consent form.  Exceptions, however, may occur in extreme, life-threatening emergencies or when required by law. Examples of these situations may be: 

Local Medical Associates: Some of our services, such as laboratory tests, are provided through contracts with medical associates. Since these services are contracted, we may disclose your health information to them so they may perform the job we have asked them to do and bill you or your insurance coverage for the services provided. We require that our medical associates protect your health information. 

Child Abuse: If a provider at Health Services has reasonable cause to believe that a minor child is suffering physical or emotional injury resulting from abuse inflicted upon him or her which causes harm or substantial risk of harm to the child’s health or welfare (including sexual abuse), or from neglect (including malnutrition), Health Services must immediately report such conditions to the Massachusetts Department of Social Services. 

Adult & Domestic Abuse: If a provider at Health Services has reasonable cause to believe that an elderly person (age 60 or older) is suffering from or has died as a result of abuse, Health Services must immediately make a report to the Massachusetts Department of Elder Affairs. 

Public Health: We may use or disclose your health information to the Massachusetts Public Health Department to collect information for the purpose of controlling communicable disease. 

Court Ordered: We may use or disclose your health information in the event of a court order. 

Law Enforcement Officials: We may disclose your health information to law enforcement officials as required by law or in compliance with a court order. We may also disclose limited health information to police or law enforcement officials for identification and location purposes, and to assist in criminal investigations. 

Serious Threat to Health or Safety: If you communicate to a Health Services provider an explicit threat to kill or inflict serious bodily injury upon an individual, Health Services must take reasonable precautions, which may include warning potential victims, notifying law enforcement, or possibly arranging for your hospitalization. If you present as a danger to yourself and refuse appropriate treatment, we have a reasonable basis to believe that you can be committed to a hospital; we must seek said commitment and may contact members of your family or other individuals if it would assist in protecting you. 

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To provide supplemental reproductive healthcare services, Tapestry Health operates from the Wellness Center on Wednesdays from 1 to 6 p.m. (by appointment only). For a full list of their services, visit their Sexual & Reproductive Health page. To make a Tapestry appointment, call 413-662-5258. 

Tapestry Health takes insurance and also offers little-to-no-cost options based on income and family size. 

 

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The Barrier Express is a confidential sexual health barrier delivery service to your campus mailbox. Please place your order through our web page or under "Student Life" on the MCLA Campus Portal. You can also pick up products at Health Services and other locations on campus such as the Campus Center, Fitness Center, Athletic Training Room, Sullivan Lounge, Freel Library, Gender & Sexuality Center, and residence areas. 

 

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Emergency contraception ("Plan B") is available by appointment at Health Services at no cost. You can also purchase emergency contraception at the Wellness Kiosk at a reduced price, through Tapestry Health, or at most local pharmacies. 

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Pregnancy Tests: Pregnancy testing and take-home tests are available from Health Services and Tapestry Health. The Wellness Kiosk in Sullivan Lounge also has pregnancy tests, available whenever the Campus Center is open. 

STI Testing: Health Services offers multiple options for STI testing: by appointment & administered by Health Services staff, and walk-in, self-service. 

Self-service STI testing is for students who don’t have symptoms, but who want routine STI screening. Simple, stress-free, quick, & easy! 

Walk-in Self-Service Clinic Dates: Twice per month—every first Thursday from 1:30-3 p.m. and every last Wednesday from 9:30-11 a.m. 
 
Tests are sent to Berkshire Health Systems lab. This is not a free service; Berkshire Health System lab fees apply. 

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MCLA provides free menstrual resources in the following areas:

• Health Services Hygiene Closet
• Essential Needs Center
• Campus Center 2nd floor restroom
• Campus Center Athletic locker rooms G-7 and G-8
• Bowman 1st floor restroom 214
• CSI 1st floor restroom
• Wellness Building 1st floor restroom
• Freel Library 3rd floor restroom
• Freel Library basement restroom B03
• Mark Hopkins main floor restroom 
  Murdock Hall 2nd floor restroom
  
  

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Abortion Resources: 

• Tapestry Health Sexual and Reproductive Health
• Planned Parenthood
• I Need an Abortion

Financial Resources: 

• Abortion Rights Fund of Western Massachusetts
• Eastern Massachusetts Abortion Fund 

Obstetrics & Gynecology Local Offices: 

• Berkshire Health Systems Obstetrics & Gynecology
• Southwestern Vermont Health Care Obstetrics and Gynecology
  
  

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Health Services recognizes that students may not be well enough to attend every class. Students are advised to contact their professors directly (preferably before missing a class) to make arrangements to accommodate their illness. Health Services cannot attest to past illnesses. Both Federal and Massachusetts State Law prevent release of information regarding a student's health status or medical condition or even confirmation of a visit to Health Services without written consent from the student. Therefore, Health Services will not provide any documentation to excuse students from attending classes. 

 

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Health Services does not fill prescriptions. Prescriptions that need to be filled may be taken to any of the local pharmacies. Be sure to check with your insurance to see if there is a co-pay for medications and bring a copy of your insurance card with you to the pharmacy. 

Pharmacies: 

CVS Store #1131
Veterans Memorial Drive
North Adams, MA, 01247 
413-664-8712 

Walmart Store #1984
1415 Curran Memorial Hwy
North Adams, MA 01247. 
413-664-4040 

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