Student Health Center

Policies

Confidentiality

If you are 18 years old or older, we can not discuss any of your health issues with your parents without your written permission. No access to health records by others is allowed without the student's written permission and no phone information is released without the student's signed consent (records release).

If you are under 18 years old, the health center policy, in accordance with the law, will provide a legal parent or guardian, on their request, with medical information.  An important exception that the law allows, and the policy that the Student Health Center follows, is information regarding contraception, pregnancy, and STDs. For these concerns the law allows the health center to maintain a policy of complete confidentiality as if you were 18 years old or older.

If you would like to receive a records release, contact the Student Health Center (phone 269-337-7200, fax 269-337-7440, or email healthsv@kzoo.edu). Please include how you would like the release sent to you (email, fax, or mail).

Class Excuse

The Student Health Center does not provide class excuses. It is the student's responsibility to contact their professor when they will not be in class for any reason. At the time of your visit to the Student Health Center, you may request a receipt as verification of your visit. It is the professors discretion to excuse you from class.

Rights and Responsibilities

The Student Health Center staff asks that you become aware of your rights and responsibilities as a health care consumer as we join with you to provide your health care.

You have a Right as a health care consumer to:

• Receive confidential, kind, and courteous care.
• Receive every consideration of privacy during your care.
• Receive complete and understandable information about your diagnosis and suggested treatment to make informed decisions about your health care.
• Make choices about health products, services, and health care practitioners.
• Refuse treatment and be informed of the potential medical consequences.
• Receive an explanation of your bill.
• Exercise your cultural and spiritual beliefs.
• Register complaints to administration or medical staff without fear of reprisals or discrimination.
• Expect all communications and records pertaining to health care be strictly confidential.

You have a Responsibility as a health care consumer to:

• Keep appointments or cancel on a timely basis.
• Ask questions when you are in doubt.
• Communicate changes in your health and/or condition to your health care providers.
• Pay your medical bills promptly.
• Follow your health care provider's instructions or discuss with them any obstacles you may have in following the prescribed treatment plan.
• Accept responsibility for refusing treatment or not following your treatment plan.
• Show respect and consideration for others around you, including other patients and staff.
• Provide complete and accurate medical and insurance information.
• Voice consumer complaints as well as satisfactions.

The links provided on this site are for educational or informational purposes only. The goal is not to provide medical advice or to replace the assistance of a trained health-care professional. Please convey issues, questions or medical concerns to your health-care provider.