Aches to Zits, see Health Services

Students at Cal State Long Beach pay a $35 health fee at registration that entitles them to a wide range of medical services at Student Health Services, at no additional cost, according to Mary Byron, Health Educator at Health Services.

Byron said, "Not all students are aware of the medical services that this $35 health fee covers. "I have met seniors who have been here for four years who do not know about all the services that we offer - and many of them are free," Byron said.

Students can get their immunizations, X-rays and blood work done at the Health Services. Students can also consult with a dermatologist, gynecologist and an orthopedic doctor if they need more specialized care," Byron said.

Family planning programs, including pregnancy tests, are also offered.

In addition to medical and radiological services, Health Services also provides pharmaceutical services. Over-the-counter drugs and prescription medications can be purchased at the pharmacy at a nominal cost, according to Health Services pharmacist Tom Sciortino.

Sciortino said that California has a contract with McKesson-Robbins, a pharmaceutical distributor, that allows state universities like Cal State Long Beach to pass on savings to students. According to Sciortino, birth control pills regularly cost about $30 - $35. At the campus pharmacy they cost about $10.

"Since weĠre a non-profit organization, the same brand-name pills youĠd find outside can be sold here at a much lower price," Sciortino said.

According to Byron, Health Services also provides short-term counseling on eating-disorders, smoking cessation and substance abuse issues. Byron said she also conducts presentations on these topics during weekends and occasional evenings upon request by various campus organizations and groups in the surrounding community.

AIDS testing, like many of the services offered at Health Services, is included in the $35 health fee, and is done in strict confidence, Byron said. She said It takes about two weeks for the results to get back.

CPR training is offered at Health Services. Students get CPR certification from both the American Red Cross and the American Heart Association after successfully completing the training, according to Byron.

Health Services is equipped to handle emergency situations, Byron said. She said that there is an "ambulance bay" where students can park their cars while getting emergency aid. Ample parking is available at the Nursing Education Building across the street for use during non-emergency visits.

Health Services is opened until 6 p.m. on Monday, Tuesday and Thursday and until 7 p.m. on Wednesday. Health Services closes at noon on Friday and remains closed throughout the weekend. Byron strongly recommends that students make medical appointments in advance. She said walk-ins are served on a first come first served basis. "Students who walk in have to wait a little longer than those who have appointments," she said. According to Byron, the average waiting period for a student with a scheduled appointment is about 10 to 20 minutes compared to an hour wait for those who walk-in.

To make an appointment, students can call the appointment desk directly at 985-1638. A health hotline number, 985-5413, is available 24 hours a day for students to get information about the various services offered at Health Services.

According to Byron, a supplemental health insurance plan is also available to students who wish to be covered beyond the scope of services provided by the Health Services. Dental, vision and medical emergency coverage are covered under the additional health insurance plan, Byron said.

According to the information listed in the 1996 -1997 Enrollment Form for Student Insurance, provided by the Associated Students, Inc., registered students can get additional insurance for less than $500 per year.

Esther Tan, a customer service representative and student worker at the Student Union, said that the additional health insurance is worth having.

Students can obtain more information about the supplemental health insurance plan by calling the Student Union at 985-4994. Students are greatly encouraged by Byron to visit the Health Services"even if they are not sick." There is a wealth of information and services available to students, Byron said. "The staff is continuously working on providing excellent service to students."