Hurtado Health Center
Frequently Asked Questions

What other services do you provide ?
What about blood tests and other lab work ?
What are your hours ?
How do I make an appointment ?
Where are you located ?
What about parking ?
What if I have a question not answered here?
What should I do before my appointment ?
How long before my appointment should I arrive ?
How long will I have to wait ?
What if I am late for my appointment ?
Can I just walk in ?
Who will I see ?
Will I have to pay for anything ?
Can someone - like my parents - find out I've been to the Health Center ?
Can I get a note for class ?
What if I need to see a specialist ?
Where can I get my prescriptions filled ?
Do you test for sexually transmitted infections (STIs) ?
What about HIV tests ?
What is the difference between "anonymous" and "confidential" HIV testing?
What about the MMR requirement and/or the immunization hold on my transcripts?
What do I do in case of an emergency ?
What does "JCAHO" accreditation mean?
What if I want to make a compliment, complaint, or suggestion?

What other services do you provide ?

Hurtado also houses:

Alcohol and Drug Assistance Program (ADAPS)
Mental Health Services
Health Education
Student Insurance
Pharmacy
Laboratory
Occupational Health

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What about blood tests and other lab work ?

Any type of blood or other test that our providers (or outside doctors, using their own request forms) order may be done at Hurtado. Most tests are routinely done in the morning (Mon-Fri, 8:30 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. during the school year). The cost of most lab tests is included in your basic health fees, but there may sometimes be additional charges.

Depending on the type of lab work you have done, you will be instructed on how to obtain your results and whether or not you need to return to the health center. In addition, result time may vary with the type of test. Make sure to speak with your provider about this process.

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What are your hours ?

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How do I make an appointment ?

Call (732/932-7402 x 1) or stop by. You will be asked your name and the type of problem you are having (necessary to make sure that you scheduled for the right amount of time with the right type of provider). If, for any reason, you feel uncomfortable talking about your problem over the phone, you may say that you have a "personal problem".

If you have been here before, it is best if you request an appointment with the same provider you saw the last time.

If you wish to have a general gynecology exam (pelvic exam and pap smear), then ask for either an "annual gyn exam" (you have been seen by us before) or an "initial gyn exam" (you have never had a gyn exam with us before). You may also schedule an appointment online for annual gyn exams by clicking here.

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Where are you located ?

11 Bishop Place. At the top of the hill just off college avenue. For campus map and bus info, go to campus map.

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What about parking ?

There are a very limited number of metered parking spaces available in the lot just before Hurtado. If you park in one of these spots, you will need to go to the front desk and ask them for a permit to place on your windshield.

Unfortunately, parking is often tight and it is best to walk or take a bus.

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What if I have a question not answered here?

Call us at 732/932-7402
Email us at Hurtado@rci.rutgers.edu (note, do NOT email with urgent or very confidential questions).

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What should I do before my appointment ?

Completing necessary forms will help to make your visit faster. Please print, complete, and bring forms with you for your appointment:

General Health History Form - all students who will be making their first visit to Hurtado, and any student who has had a significant change in their health status.
Female Health History Form - all women coming in for any gynecological check-ups.
Male Health History Form - all men coming in for any concerns related to STIs or male sexual health.

If your visit is for a gynecological reason, you should check out our web page on the annual gynecological exam.

Please note: the Rutgers University Health Services - NB/P do not charge full-time students for our services, and clinicians are usually booked weeks in advance for routine check-ups. If, for any reason, you cannot keep a scheduled appointment, please call us and cancel your appointment! This will allow us to see another student in your place.

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How long before my appointment should I arrive ?

You should arrive at least 15 minutes before your scheduled appointment (30 minutes if it is a first appointment). This allows time for your chart to be pulled and updated. Any forms that have been completed before your visit can be added to your chart.

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How long will I have to wait ?

Since we operate on an appointment-only basis, you will usually be seen near your scheduled appointment time. Please note that students with urgent problems will be seen immediately and this may occasionally cause delays. Arriving 15 minutes before your scheduled appointment (30 minutes for a first appointment) will ensure that everyone is seen in a timely manner. Having your completed paperwork ready will also aid in the process

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What if I am late for my appointment ?

Please make every effort to be on time for your appointment. If you are late, you will most likely be asked to reschedule your appointment for a future date. We need to insist that you be on time since any one person's lateness can cascade through the entire day's schedule. Thus, if we try to accommodate one student who is late, we may end up making five others wait.

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Can I just walk in ?

Rutgers University Health Services - NB/P is run on an appointment-only basis although urgent problems will be seen promptly. Whenever possible, please call to schedule an appointment

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Who will I see ?

Rutgers University Health Services - NB/P employs a variety of clinical health providers, technicians, and staff. You may see any one or more of the following professionals:

Medical doctor or M.D.
Nurse practitioner or N.P. - What is a Nurse Practitioner?
Registered nurse or R.N.
Medical technician
Pharmacist
Front desk staff
Work Study Students: Rutgers University Health Services - NB/P employs a small number of work-study students. These students are required to sign a confidentiality pledge and DO NOT have access to the medical chart and any confidential material it may contain.
Medical, physician assistant, nursing, and pharmacy students may all rotate through RUHS - NB/P. While you may see one of these professional students, rest assured that you will also be seen by one of our fully licensed clinicians.
Phlebotomists (draw blood)

Our staff members

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Will I have to pay for anything ?

All full-time students have paid the Health Service and Basic Insurance fee. This allows full use of the health centers, clinical visits and routine diagnostic procedures with no cost or insurance paperwork. Some services may require a small additional fee. You will be informed of the costs. Special diagnostic procedures are sent to an outside laboratory. This fee is usually fully reimbursed through the Student Insurance per policy guidelines. Unless you have private insurance, which covers the cost of medication, you will have to pay for any prescribed or over-the-counter medications.

If you end up needing a referral to an outside specialist, then there may also be additional charges.

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Can someone - like my parents - find out I've been to the Health Center ?

Not unless you want them to. All health and counseling services are strictly confidential. Your parents cannot access your health records. Unless you specifically request it in writing, we will not release any medical information to any other person (including parents and teachers). In fact, we will not even confirm or deny whether you have been seen. The only very rare exceptions are if you are found to be a danger to yourself or others, or if we are ordered to provide information by a court of law.

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Can I get a note for class ?

We DO NOT provide medical excuse notes, or written documentation for class. It is our belief that students and faculty will almost always be able to sort this out by themselves. In those rare instances where a faculty member may require more "proof" of a student's illness, the student may sign a "release of information form" allowing us to speak directly to the faculty member.

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What if I need to see a specialist ?

The clinicians at RUHS - NB/P are able to help you take care of the vast majority of medical problems common to college students. Referral to an off-campus provider or specialist will be made when necessary. Depending upon the specialist and whether there is additional outside insurance; this may entail an additional charge. It is important you follow the proper procedure in seeing a specialist. You need to know whether you have any outside insurance, and whether that insurance requires you to get authorization or to see your "Primary Care Provider" prior to seeing a specialist. You need to make sure that one of our clinicians has given you the Rutgers Referral Form. While these rules may seem like a big hassle, failure to follow them may well end up costing you big bucks if the insurance company refuses to pay.

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Where can I get my prescriptions filled ?

Prescriptions from health center clinicians, as well as doctors and nurse practitioners, may be filled at the pharmacies at the Hurtado or Busch-Livingston Health Centers. In addition, your medications may be delivered to Willets Health Center. You may also take your prescription to any outside pharmacy. Our pharmacies accept many, but not all, prescription plans. Our prices for most items are very competitive with outside pharmacies, and for some items, like birth control pills, our prices are cheaper. We also sell a wide variety of over-the-counter medicines as well as vitamins and other supplements. Our pharmacy accepts cash, checks, credit cards, and Knight Express. At your request, expenses may also be charged to your tuition bill

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Do you test for sexually transmitted infections (STIs) ?

Yes.

If you are a woman coming in for an annual gynecological examination, you will automatically be screened for chlamydia and gonorrhea.

If you are a man or woman who would like to be tested "just to make sure" or if you have a symptom or complaint this can be done as well.

Keep in mind that there is not "one test fits all" for sexually transmitted infections. Some involve drawing blood while others might be swabs of secretions or even cells. Some STIs cannot be tested for if you are not currently having symptoms.

Much of the testing we do is free of charge, but there may well be a cost associated with some tests.

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What about HIV tests ?

Confidential HIV testing is offered at Hurtado and other University health centers by appointment only. A blood test costs $12 and the oral test $13.

Anonymous testing is also available at the Robert Wood Johnson Hospital. Call (732) 235-7114 for information.

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What is the difference between "anonymous" and "confidential" HIV testing?

Anonymous testing means that your name cannot be connected to the fact that you have had an HIV test or the results. Often, people being tested are assigned numbers instead. Hurtado does NOT do anonymous testing. Robert Wood Johnson does. They may be contacted at (732) 235-7114.

Confidential testing means that your name can be connected to your test and the results, but are part of your confidential medical record which only your medical provider can access. In the event of a positive result, we are required by law to report your name to the state health department.

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What about the MMR requirement and/or the immunization hold on my transcripts ?

New Jersey state law mandates that all full and part-time students born after 1956 submit official documentation of two MMRs (Measles, Mumps, Rubella) or two of each of the separate component immunizations, or laboratory proof of immunity. The first vaccination must have been given no earlier than one year of age, and the second may be at any time at least one month after the first. This requirement is consistent with CDC and ACIP recommendations.

The requirement sounds complex, but makes sense. Since these illnesses were so prevalent prior to the invention of the vaccines, it is assumed that all those born before 1957 were exposed and therefore immune (you can only ever get these illnesses once). For all others, two immunizations almost always provide long-lasting immunity (whereas one immunization often does not). If requested, there is a blood test that measures antibodies and therefore predicts immunity. This test costs $10 to test for each of the diseases when obtained through the state of New Jersey.

Proof of immunization may be obtained from the your doctor. If you went to High School in New Jersey, immunization records should be on file there. Rutgers will accept any official copy of immunizations, either on our own or your doctor's form. Please make sure you keep a copy for yourself.

Completed forms should be sent to:

Immunization Program
Hurtado Health Center
Rutgers University
11 Bishop Place
New Brunswick, NJ 08901-1180

You may also drop your form off at any of our health centers.

For further information, check out our immunization page, or call any of our health centers.

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What do I do in case of an emergency ?

Rutgers University does not provide emergency care. We will refer you to one of the local hospitals in the event of an emergency.

If you believe you have an emergency, dial 911 (6911 from a university phone).

If our health centers are closed and you feel you need to be seen, go to one of the local hospitals or call 911.

Hurtado Health Center Frequently Asked Questions

Hurtado Health Center
Frequently Asked Questions