Health Center Frequently Asked Questions
All full‑time students (Undergraduate ≥ 12 credits; Graduate ≥ 9 credits), both residential or non-residential, can be seen at the Health Center for evaluation of health concerns regardless of insurance. Most in‑office services are covered by your tuition.
Laboratory tests sent to Quest Diagnostics and any care received off campus (such as specialist visits, walk‑in clinics, or emergency rooms) are billed to your insurance plan and may include co‑pays or deductibles. Contact your insurance company before accessing care off campus in order to have a better understanding of what your insurance plan covers.
If you are experiencing a health emergency, call University Police immediately at 781-891-3131. All University Police officers are first responders and can help you with emergencies at any time, 24 hours per day, seven days per week. For additional information, see this list of Emergency Resources and Off-Campus Care.
Our services include:
- Primary and urgent care including diagnosis and treatment of common illnesses, minor injuries
- Point of care testing and laboratory services
- Gender-affirming care
- Pre-exposure (PrEP) and post-exposure (PEP) prophylaxis for HIV prevention
- Birth control including emergency contraception
- Pap smears for cervical cancer screening
- Comprehensive response to sexual violence
- Express testing for sexually transmitted infections (STIs)
- Nicotine cessation counseling
- In-office procedures including splinter and suture removal, management of nail infections and injuries, and support for wound healing
- Referral to specialty care as appropriate
We can also coordinate with your primary care provider or specialist if you are managing long‑term or chronic health conditions.
If the Health Center is closed and you have a non-emergent illness or injury, call our main number and follow the prompts to connect with our After-Hours Nurse Advice Line for medical guidance.
For urgent health concerns, students should contact the University Police Emergency Line at 3131. Officers can assist with transportation to a local urgent care clinic or hospital if needed.
You may also visit the Emergency Resources and Off-Campus Care page for an updated list of nearby urgent care clinics and emergency rooms. Remember to bring your insurance card and check whether your insurance requires a referral for off‑campus care.
If you or someone you know is experiencing a health emergency, call University Police immediately at 781-891-3131. All University Police officers are first responders and can help you with emergencies 24 hours per day.
Students enrolled in the Bentley Student Health Insurance Plan will not have any out-of-pocket charges for local ambulance transports. Students with other insurance plans should consider contacting their providers ahead of time to request information. We understand that the financial implications of ambulance transport can be overwhelming, but ultimately it is more important that you are safe and receive timely medical care.
Most appointments can be scheduled online through the Student Health Portal up to 12 hours in advance, or by calling 781-891-2222.
Students can typically get a same-day appointment. Calling earlier in the day is preferred. If we are unable to see you, depending on your symptoms, you may receive a call from a provider, be scheduled for the next day, or be advised to seek care off-campus.
Yes, all services are confidential. The Health Center provides professional, inclusive, and confidential health care. Your information is not shared with faculty, staff, family, or friends unless you give us explicit permission, except as required by law or in cases involving danger to yourself or others.
Our team is staffed by highly skilled and compassionate licensed nurse practitioners (NPs), a Sexual Assault Resource Specialist, a consulting clinician, and dedicated administrative professionals. Our NPs diagnose and treat a wide range of common illnesses and injuries, prescribe medications, order and interpret diagnostic tests, and provide personalized health counseling and education.
If you would like to see a specific provider, please contact us and we will do our best to accommodate your request.
We recommend that you always carry your student ID and health insurance card. You will be asked for these upon arrival to the Health Center.
Most of your health care needs can be met at the Health Center, however, there may be circumstances where you need to see a specialist. In this case, our office will provide you with a list of local specialists in the area.
Specialist visits will be billed to your insurance and you may be responsible for co-payments or deductibles. Some insurance plans require a referral from your primary care provider. It is recommended that you check your insurance requirements prior to seeing a specialist.
The Health Center does not currently have a delivery service to campus. However, there are several pharmacies nearby which are accessible on the free Bentley shuttles.
No. The Health Center follows a No Note Policy. We do not provide notes as excuses for missed classes or coursework.
In all cases of class or work absence, students must communicate directly with their professors or employers. This communication should take place as soon as possible. If a student is seen at the Health Center and is unable to attend class due to illness, the student may email their professor and copy the provider for confirmation.
Students who will be out of class for one week or more may contact the Office of Student Success through their Health-Related Absence Form to request support in notifying faculty.
The Health Center is unable to offer toxicology screening. Due to the complexity of the screening, our lab cannot offer the caliber of testing necessary in these situations. If you are interested in pursuing a toxicology screening, please schedule an appointment with a provider in the Health Center to discuss your options.
The Health Center can coordinate with your primary care provider or specialist to help maintain your health while you are away from home.
General advice for incoming students with chronic conditions or allergies:
- Bring your prescribed medicines to campus and arrange for refills or transfers to a local pharmacy.
- Continue seeing your primary health care provider and specialists. To find a local specialist, reach out to your current specialist for support. The Health Center may also be able to assist. For mental health providers, try using the Bentley Thriving Campus search tool.
- If you are concerned about insurance coverage for specialists with an out-of-state plan, consider adding the Bentley SHIP plan to your current coverage.
- Contact Student Accessibility Services directly if you require accommodations. For students 18 years and older, you are responsible for registering yourself.
- The Health Center offers on-campus immunization clinics in the fall for routine and seasonal vaccines (e.g. Flu, COVID-19). Keep an eye out for emails with more details.
- Ask for help immediately if you are experiencing a medical emergency or are worried about your safety. For emergencies on campus, call University Police at 781-891-3131. University Police are available 24/7 and are the quickest route to emergency care, including ambulance transport.
- Contact our office to discuss additional questions, concerns, or review resources available on campus.
Allergies
- Carry your EpiPen or AUVI-Q if the allergy causes a severe reaction (e.g., anaphylaxis).
- Always check labels and alert food providers of your allergy to avoid potential cross contamination.
- Review the Bentley dining website and schedule to meet with the Sodexo registered dietician, Hayley Ruff, to have a personal tour of the allergen free options at the 921 Dining Hall and have your questions answered.
Additional Resources - The Food Allergy College Experience
- The JED Foundation - College Transition Resources
- Bentley Student Health & Wellbeing Resource List
Our Wellness Vending Machine, located in the Back Bay of the Student Center, provides convenient access to essential health and wellness products, including over-the-counter medications (Tylenol, Aleve, Tums, Pepto‑Bismol, Liquid IV, Claritin, COVID‑19 tests) and sexual health supplies (condoms, emergency contraception, pregnancy tests).
Accepted payments: credit card, Apple Pay, Google Pay. For questions, contact the Health Center at 781‑891‑2222, email ga_healthcenter@bentley.edu, or visit us in Rhodes Hall.
Bentley University follows the guidance outlined by the MA Department of Public Health. Full‑time students (Undergraduate ≥ 12 credits; Graduate ≥ 9 credits) must submit required health information through their Health Portal. Students not compliant within 30 days of the semester start will be charged a $50 nonrefundable fee and receive a registration hold. Contact the Health Center for medical, religious, or remote‑student waiver options.
Required items include:
- Online health history form
- Online tuberculosis risk assessment (and if indicated, test results taken in the past year)
- Bentley Immunization Record or similar documentation signed by a healthcare provider
Plan Enrollment and Waivers
The Student Accounts office manages the Bentley SHIP waiver and enrollment process, which is completed annually before the start of each academic year. Visit University Health Plans or contact them at 1-800-437-6448 or info@univhealthplans.com for all information related to the plan
About the Plan
Bentley’s SHIP is a PPO plan through Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts (BCBS) and administered with University Health Plans (UHP). Visit UHP's website to:
- Enroll or Waive the SHIP
- Look up your insurance ID and request a mailed card
- View benefits
- Search for in‑network providers
- Access Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
You will also be able to access BCBS Member Central where you can view personal claim status, check account balances, and find the costs of past tests and doctor’s visits.