Health Services

Mission Statement

The mission of Health Services is to keep students healthy by promoting wellness, and prevention of disease in a caring environment, which respects students’ dignity, diversity, and privacy. Our goal is to help students become full participants in their healthcare.

Confidentiality Statement

All medical records at BHS are strictly confidential. Information about a student's care will be released only with the student's written permission. All BHS staff adhere to established ethical principles and codes of professional practice, including patient confidentiality. All information concerning students' visits to BHS, including their identity, the reason for any visit, and any diagnosis or treatment is considered confidential information.

There are exceptions to confidentiality wherein BHS may disclose information from medical records including:

• Imminent Threat to Health or Safety. When needed in a psychiatric or medical emergencies
• Collaboration with the Care Team. The University is required by law to have a trained threat assessment team. There are times when health services staff will share such information when, in an effort to ensure the safety of the University and its community members, it is deemed such limited sharing of information is advisable.
• Abuse/Neglect. Mandatory reporting of child, elder, and dependent adult abuse and in the case of credible threats of violence toward a reasonably identifiable person.
• Judicial or Administrative Proceedings. Appropriate releases and consultation with legal counsel will inform next steps.

To Schedule an Appointment

Call 401-232-6220 and select 1. In the event of an emergency or when Health Services is closed, EMTs are available through the Department of Public Safety at 401-232-6911. Visit appointments are required.

All full-time students who are registered for classes at Bryant University have access to health care at Health Services. There is no fee for services offered, however, we strongly urge every student to maintain adequate health insurance to cover unexpected medical expenses.

COVID Policy

Protocol Updates

These updates are in alignment with the ending of the COVID Public Health Emergency, as well as the current recommendations from the Rhode Island Department of Health (RIDOH) and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Health Services will continue to provide symptomatic testing for COVID in our office. It is encouraged that all students bring a supply of “at home”/rapid antigen tests to campus with them, as we continue to see that most cases of COVID in our population are mild and do not require a visit with a medical provider.

Testing Positive: Isolation Policy and Missing Classes

Students who test positive for COVID do not need to make an appointment with Health Services. Per the CDC, you must complete a full 5-day self-isolation. Bryant University is no longer providing separate isolation housing for those individuals who test positive for COVID. Those who are able should go home to complete their isolation period. If you are unable to go home, you will isolate in place in your residence hall room. Wear a well-fitting mask when around others and when using the restrooms and utilize “to go” options for food. We encourage all students to have a discussion with your roommate(s) and develop a plan for what you will do if you or one of your roommates tests positive for COVID. For more information on self-isolation please visit the following link from the CDC: Self-Isolation Guidance

You can provide the Covid Attestation Form to your professors. This form will serve as notification of missed classes due to COVID. You are still responsible for any material or work missed. We encourage you to communicate directly with your professors.

Excuse Policy

Bryant Health Services, along with many college health centers nation-wide, does not routinely provide verification of illness forms to students requesting a medical excuse note for classes or activities.

When students request appointments for the purpose of obtaining excuse notes this reduces the number of available appointment times for those students who have immediate healthcare needs. In addition, common medical reasons for missing classes, exams or work (such as colds, headaches, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, dizziness, etc.) do not lend themselves to retrospective objective confirmation.

We encourage students to familiarize themselves with class attendance policies and to notify their faculty if they are unable to attend, preferably before class or the missed assignment. This aligns with our mission of helping students become full participants in their healthcare.

Financial Policy

There is no fee to be seen in Health Services and Health Services does not bill insurance.  At times additional testing may be required as part of medical treatment and such services may need to be provided by community partners who do bill insurance. This could include laboratory work or tests, x-rays, medication prescriptions, specialist referrals, and additional diagnostic testing. It is the student’s responsibility to verify that insurance is up to date and that any outside referrals are in-network.

Incoming Student Health Requirements

Please complete ALL required steps below by July 31. Student health records will not be verified as compliant if any information is missing.

1) From Your Primary Care Provider:

• Documentation of Physical performed on or after July 1st, 2022, signed by medical provider
• Documentation of required immunizations signed by medical provider
  • Hepatitis B
    • 3 doses
  • Varicella
    • 2 doses
  • MMR (Measles, Mumps, Rubella)
    • 2 doses
  • TDaP (Tetanus, Diphtheria, Pertussis)
    • 1 dose within the last 10 years
  • Quadrivalent Meningitis (ACWY)
    • 2 doses if 1st dose given before age 16

*If seeking medical or religious immunization exemption, please contact our office directly.

2) Upload to Medicat Patient Portal

• Copy of signed physical
• Copy of signed immunization record
• Copy of insurance card (front & back)

3) Input on Medicat Under Immunizations Tab

• Required immunization dates

4) Electronic Forms on Medicat

• Complete Bryant University Health Services Informed Consent
• Complete Emergency Contacts
• Complete Registration and Health History Form
• Complete Tuberculosis (TB) Screening Form

Student Accident and Sickness Insurance Plan

Bryant University provides access to a Student Accident and Sickness Insurance Plan. All International Students are automatically enrolled in coverage and are given the opportunity to waive. Before you waive coverage, check your current coverage carefully as frequently students arrive on campus without adequate coverage, especially if covered by a Health Maintenance Organization (HMO) or a managed care plan that has limited or no benefits in the Smithfield, RI area. Make sure you are fully covered while on campus and throughout the policy year for inpatient and outpatient hospitalization, diagnostic testing and x-ray services, prescription drugs, and mental health services. Also, be aware of any deductibles required by your current plan. All full-time students at Bryant University are eligible to enroll in this insurance plan.