Seeking Medical Treatment

We hope that during your time at Penn State you never fall ill or become injured. The reality is, however, that illness and injury can occur at any time and students must be prepared to react and seek treatment. In the United States, there are a variety of health care facilities that treat different conditions with varying degrees of urgency and specialization. Let’s take a closer look at these options.

 

Hospitals/Emergency Rooms

Hospital emergency rooms are designed to treat an emergency medical condition such as a severe life-threatening illness or injury. These facilities are also very costly. A simple Emergency Room (ER) visit will generate two bills:  one from the hospital and one from the emergency room doctors.  Anyone else that would see you at that visit, for example lab work or x-rays, would also bill for their services. The bill for a simple ER visit (just the hospital and ER doctors) can start around $1,000.

If you experience a medical emergency while attending Penn State, please call 911 to be transported to the nearest emergency room. If your condition is not life-threatening, consider one of the following options instead:

 

1. Campus Health Center

Students who purchase the Student Health Insurance Plan (SHIP) for Penn State should always visit the on-campus health center as their first line of care to keep health expenses at a minimum. If you are attending the University Park campus, University Health Services, the student health center, should be your first stop for medical treatment. Board-certified physicians and clinicians can diagnose, treat, and refer students for additional follow-up care from their convenient on-campus location. If you are not attending University Park, please check to see if your campus offers on-site medical care. 

 

2. Local Doctors’ Offices

Local doctors’ offices are also a good place to start your medical care, especially if you are attending a campus that does not have an on-campus health center or practitioner. Sometimes called “general practitioners” or “family doctors,” these offices typically require an appointment, and some doctors may not accept new or short-term patients. 

 

3. Urgent Care Centers and Walk-in Clinics

If you experience a medical issue when the on-campus health center is not open, you may choose to seek treatment at an urgent care center or walk-in clinic. These facilities typically offer longer operating hours and no appointment is necessary to be seen. Urgent care centers typically cost more than standard on-campus health or doctors' office visit but less than the emergency room.

 

Recap: How should I select a treatment facility?

Ask yourself:

• Is this a life-threatening medical emergency?
  If so, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room. 
• Does your campus have an on-site health center?
  If so, the on-campus health center should be your first stop to keep health care costs at a minimum.
• Are you experiencing a medical issue outside of regular health center operating hours?
  If so, consider visiting a local urgent care center or walk-in clinic to receive immediate treatment without an appointment.