Campus Health staff is dedicated to encouraging and maintaining the health of all students, including graduate, post-graduate and professional students. Our three units, the Health Center for Student Care, CAPS for Counseling Services, and The Well for Health Promotion, collaborate to provide a comprehensive approach to advancing student health and well-being. If you are a graduate student primarily located on the Downtown Campus, we invite you to visit our convenient Downtown Student Health Center in Elk Place. You may also seek services at the Uptown Campus Health Center.
Campus Health Fee
Most degree-seeking students are automatically assessed the University’s Campus Health Fee, which supports operations and services provided by the Health Center for Student Care, CAPS for Counseling Services, and The Well for Health Promotion. However, some research, dissertation and teaching students, are not automatically assessed the fee. If you fall into one of these categories, you will need to pay the fee each semester before accessing direct clinical services at any Campus Health locations. If you are unsure whether you have paid the fee, our helpful staff is happy to check for you.
Health Insurance Coverage
Tulane requires degree-seeking students and Tulane-sponsored students in J-1 status to maintain adequate, quality medical insurance. To fulfill this requirement, students must either demonstrate that they are enrolled in a health insurance plan that meets or exceeds University standards for adequate insurance or enroll in the Tulane-sponsored Student Health Insurance Plan (T-SHIP). Students must complete one of these two actions by the posted deadline.
International students are required to enroll in T-SHIP unless they have U.S. based insurance that meets the same requirements as that of U.S. insurance plans. See the University’s health insurance standards for further clarification.
If you change insurance companies, and the Health Center is your health care provider, call and update your information before your next appointment. Also, be sure to always carry a copy of your insurance card with you.
Graduate Students Enrolled in T-SHIP
While T-SHIP-enrolled students who are automatically assessed the Campus Health Fee are required to obtain a specialty medical referral from the Health Center before receiving care in the community, T-SHIP-enrolled students who are not automatically assessed the Campus Health Fee do not have this same requirement. Students falling into this second category include some research, dissertation and teaching students, who are generally free to see community providers without a referral. If you are unsure what category you fall in, email healthins@tulane.edu, and our staff will assist you. Before seeking care in the community, please consider the following scenarios:
- If you are initially assessed the Campus Health Fee in the fall semester, but it is later removed due to a change in registration, please contact the Insurance Enrollment and Verification Office before seeking care in the community.
- If you are assessed the Campus Health Fee in the fall semester, but are not assessed the fee in the spring semester due to a change in your student status, please contact the Insurance Enrollment and Verification Office before seeking care in the community.
Medical and Mental Health Care Coordination
The Health Center Referral Coordinator and the CAPS Care Coordinator, are available to assist students to find appropriate providers in the community. These services are open to all students, including those who are not assessed the Campus Health fee.
Immunization Compliance
All Tulane students must be in compliance with Louisiana state guidelines and are required to submit proof of immunization compliance. The Tulane Health Center offers all required vaccines and tuberculosis testing; however, we recommend that you receive them before arriving at Tulane.
Patient Portal
Manage your appointments, immunization compliance and physical exam forms, or sign up for text messaging via the Patient Portal. Before arriving at Tulane, students must use the Patient Portal to upload their immunization compliance forms.
Seeking Mental Health Care at CAPS for Counseling Services
CAPS for Counseling Services is Tulane’s student mental health clinic. CAPS uses a short-term treatment model and offers care coordination to help students and families find long-term mental health resources in the community. Learn more about CAPS Care Coordination.
Seeking Medical Care at the Health Center
The Health Center is an appointment-based clinic offering primary and preventive health care services. You can make an appointment by phone or online via the Patient Portal.
Most visits to the Health Center require the collection of co-payments, co-insurances, or deductibles. For each visit to the Health Center, please bring the following:
- Tulane Splash Card
- health insurance card
- driver’s license or state ID
- form of payment, such as a credit card
Learn more about insurance plans and medical billing at the Health Center.
Seeking Specialist or Emergency Follow-Up Care
The Health Center is available to provide Tulane students with the information and resources they need to access specialist or emergency follow-up care in the New Orleans community. Students are advised to make an appointment with the Referral Coordinator to discuss their individual needs.
Students with T-SHIP
- Students who are enrolled in T-SHIP and are automatically assessed the Tulane Campus Health Fee must visit a medical provider at the Tulane Health Center to obtain a referral before receiving specialist or emergency follow-up care in the community
- Students who are enrolled in T-SHIP and are NOT automatically assessed the Tulane Campus Health Fee may seek care in the community without a medical referral from the Tulane Health Center.
Students with Other Health Insurance
Students with other health insurance plans besides T-SHIP are not required to obtain referrals from the Health Center but are encouraged to do so. The Health Center Referral Coordinator has a wealth of knowledge about the New Orleans health care landscape and can assist students with finding the best specialist to meet their needs.
