Health

Harvard University Health Services

http://huhs.harvard.edu/

Phone:

Holyoke Center (Primary Care): 617.495.2001/495.8414
Medical Area Health Services (Primary Care): 617.432.1370
Nutrition Counseling: 617.496.9249
Mental Health Services: 617.495.2042
Center for Wellness & Health Communication: 617.495.9629



Insurance Coverage at HUHS

When you're admitted to Harvard, your coverage begins August 1 (or Feb 1 if you're starting in the spring semester). This is pretty cool, you're covered almost two months before you actually have to show up for class!



Drug Benefits:

$10, $20, or $35 co-payments for each prescription through 30-day supply $1875 maximum benefit per term.

Prescriptions may be filled at the HUHS Pharmacy (at Holyoke Center) or at any CVS Pharmacy.

Insurance Coverage Outside of HUHS:

Mental Health Therapy (non-Harvard office visits) 12 visits per plan year, $10 per visit

Substance Abuse Treatment (non-Harvard office visits) 8 visits per plan year, $10 per visit

Outside Visits: Pros and Cons

  • Pros - You can see someone whenever you want, as many times as you want. If you do want to see an outside therapist, you can see anyone on Blue Cross Blue Shield, which is the biggest health care provider in MA, so almost everyone takes them.
  • Cons - The health plan is not geared towards people who want to do long-term therapy, it's more focused on short-term care. You only get 12 visits per YEAR (not semester) to an outside therapist, so if you're already seeing someone in the area and want to continue, you're going to have to pay out of pocket 9 out of 12 months of the year, which can get to be RIDICULOUSLY expensive. You get 3 visits PER YEAR to an outside psychopharmacologist. Your visits re-start on August 1, and they don't carry over from year to year.



Insurance Coverage While on Leave:

If you're on a leave of absence, you're NOT AUTOMATICALLY COVERED by HUHS. You must go to the Registrar and talk to them if you decided to leave mid-Semester. If you take a whole semester off, you have to enroll in HUHS by actually paying them money. You can only stay on HUHS for two semesters of leave, any more than that and you're out of luck and you have to get other insurance.



Harvard Mental Health Services

http://huhs.harvard.edu/ClinicalServices/ClinicalServicesMentalHealthInfo.htm

Phone: 617-495-1814
Location: Holyoke Center, 4th Floor
Hours: 8:00 am to 6:00 pm (Monday & Friday); 8:00 am to 8:00 pm
(Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday)

First off, the people at HUHS mental health services are pretty great. Don't be ashamed or nervous out by walking in there - this is Harvard after all, and just about everyone is stressed and sleep deprived and anxious and depressed at some point. Plus, it's Cambridge, where everyone, including the guy selling you "spare change" on the street is probably in therapy.

When you go in or call (617-495-2042), they will give you a consulation appointment with someone on their staff. This person will talk to you about what's going on and what kind of help you want. There are options, including individual and group therapy, support groups, antidepressants, etc.

Inside of HUHS, you can have as many visits as you want to someone on their staff. However, this isn't quite the same as having a dedicated therapist that you see for long periods of time. They seem more focused on short-term care. The good thing is, it's free, and there's always someone you can talk to. Psychopharmacology visits are also free, and the prescription drug plan is pretty good, most anti-depressants and such are only $10 a month.

Eating Disorders:

There are a lot of resources for eating disorders at HUHS including groups, therapy, and nutritional counseling. Free nutritional counseling is available at HUHS, as well as support groups geared specifically towards graduate students. However, there is a LONG (i.e. 1-3 months) waiting list to see the nutritionist.

Other ResourcesIn Common: 617.495.9354

In Common provides a support program for graduate students who would like to speak to a peer about their concerns. Callers will not be asked to identify themselves. Hours of operation are Sun. - Fri., 8 pm to 12 am.

In Common: 617.495.9354

In Common provides a support program for graduate students who would like to speak to a peer about their concerns. Callers will not be asked to identify themselves. Hours of operation are Sun. - Fri., 8 pm to 12 am.

Women for Sobriety: 215.536.8026

Women for Sobriety is a self-help program for women who are alcoholics. A pen pal program is also available to use for support. For local meeting times and locations call the national organization number.

The Massachusetts Drug and Alcohol Hotline: 1.800.327.5050

The Massachusetts Drug and Alcohol Hotline is a 24 - hour hotline offering around the clock access to counseling, emergency support, and information and referral services.

Suicide hotlines:

Run by the Samaritans of Boston: Befriending Hotline: (617) 247-0220 National Suicide Hotline - trained volunteers and professional counselors - 1-888-SUICIDE or (800-784-2433)