Testing

If you have symptoms of COVID-19, or believe you have been exposed, call the clinic at 205-726-2835. Our healthcare providers will complete a curbside consultation in the Health Center parking lot. If deemed necessary, COVID-19 tests will also be performed onsite at the Health Center. All five local MedHelp clinics will also provide COVID-19 testing during clinic operating hours.

University Health Services will not facilitate COVID-19 testing required for returning to campus. If you have questions about return to campus testing, students should contact Covid19health@samford.edu and employees should contact Covid19employees@samford.edu.

Vaccination

The Moderna COVID-19 vaccination is available through Samford Health Services by appointment daily, Monday – Friday from 9 a.m. – 6 p.m. To schedule your appointment, call the clinic at 205-726-2835 or email suhealth@samford.edu.

There is no out-of-pocket cost for receiving this vaccine; Samford Health Services will bill your health insurance or federal program directly.

Medhelp at Samford is a fully-functional health care facility providing urgent care, primary medical care, preventive health care,and wellness services. Walk-ins are welcome or call 205-726-2835 to schedule an appointment. PLEASE NOTE: Patients with symptoms of COVID-19 (including fever, cough, congestion, or exposure to COVID-19) should call (205-306-2131) or fill out our secure form to schedule a test for COVID-19 before coming to the clinic.

Urgent Care Services

• Treatment for acute illnesses and injuries, including:
  • Cuts
  • Sprains
  • Fractures
  • Flu
  • Fever
  • Vomiting
  • Sore throat
  • Sinus infections
  • Asthma attack
  • Infections
  • Abdominal pain
  • Earache
  • Insect bites
  • Chest pain
  • Migraine headaches
  • UTI
  • Skin infections
  • Abscesses
  • Rashes
  • Respiratory infections
• Digital X-ray
• On-site laboratory (CLIA waived and non-complex chemistry)
• Hydration/IV fluids
• Stitches

Primary Care Services

• Preventive medicine
• Routine check-ups, health screenings, and assessments
• Health maintenance and management of chronic conditions
• Personalized counseling to help you maintain a healthy lifestyle
• Assessment and treatment for acute and of chronic illness and injuries (example: cough, earache, sprained ankle, etc.)
• Basic first aid
• Digital X-ray
• Health maintenance and management of chronic conditions
• Hydration / IV fluid
• On-site Labs (CLIA Waived and non-complex chemistry)
• Sports injuries
• Urgent care

Preventive Health Care Services

• Allergy shot administration
• Physicals/well checks
• TB skin tests
• Vaccinations
• Women’s care

Incoming Student Prerequisites and Forms

In keeping with the recommendations of the American College Health Association, Samford University requires certain immunizations upon matriculation. All students, including graduate and professional students, are required to submit the Immunization Record to University Admissions.

The record must be signed by a health care provider or community health department stamp and must be on the Samford immunization form.

New Student Health Forms

• Undergraduate/Graduate Health Form - Required of all undergraduate/graduate students
• Med+Proctor will email you at your Samford email account with instructions for creating an account and providing your health information.
  Med+Proctor
• College of Health Sciences Health and Immunization Forms
  Required for all College of Health Sciences students, both graduate AND undergraduate
  • CHS Health Form
  • CHS Immunization Form
• International Student Health Form 
  Required of international students prior to arrival
• International Student Immunization Record 
  Required of international students (TB skin test and other required vaccinations to be completed at UHS upon arrival)
• Medical Exemption from Immunization
• Nursing Undergraduate Immunization Form
• CHS Request for Exemption From Immunization Requirement: Medical
• CHS Request for Exemption From Immunization Requirement: Religious

Where Do You Turn It In?

• Undergraduate - Upload online via Med+Proctor
• Graduate - Upload to program-specific platform

Failure to submit this documentation at least two (2) weeks before date of arrival will result in a $150 fine and/or a registration hold on the student’s record until the completed record is received.

See department/school-specific deadlines in Student Handbook.

Records Request Form

To release records from University Health Services to another facility or to request records be sent to us.

University Health Services is a participating provider with several major insurance carriers. As a courtesy to students/patients, we will submit claims to the carriers with which we are contracted. Patients without coverage (or with coverage from a non-participating carrier) will be responsible for a $125 base rate visit. These “self-pay” charges will be at a discounted rate for those without accepted insurance or no insurance. Payment is due at the time services are rendered via Visa/Mastercard.

In addition, Samford University employees participating in Samford’s Blue Cross Blue Shield plan will have the extra benefit of no co-pay ($0) for services rendered in University Health Services.

Providers & Claims

University Health Services is a participating provider for the following health insurance plans and networks:

• Aetna
• Blue Cross Blue Shield
• GoldenRule
• Humana
• Tricare Standard (Prime requires a referral from the assigned provider)
• United Healthcare
• Other group plans - call clinic to verify

As a courtesy to our patients, we will submit claims to the carriers listed above when complete insurance information is received. The patient will need to bring their insurance card or a legible copy of the front and back of the insurance card with them to the visit. The patient will also need to know the name and date of birth of the

Payment

Payment may be made by VISA or MasterCard at the time of service. We can apply the co-pay and/or balance to the Samford Banner statement as well. Co-pays and amounts expected not to be covered by insurance are due at the time of service, and may be paid using one of the approved payment methods. The patient or designated responsible party is responsible for any balances not paid by their insurance carrier including deductibles and non-covered services. Outstanding balances for international students will be posted to the student’s account in Banner and billed through the bursar’s office. Payment is due on or before the due date on the statement. There will be a $30 fee for any returned checks.

Non-Covered Services

Occasionally there are services that may be necessary for treatment of the patient’s condition and maintenance of good health that are not covered by your insurance contract or that may be considered “medically unnecessary.” The patient or designated responsible party is expected to pay for those services in full. Please be assured that the test and treatments ordered are only those your health care provider believes are necessary for your treatment and care.

Responsible Party

Unless otherwise designated, the patient is considered responsible for any balances not paid by insurance carriers, including co-pays, deductibles and non-covered services. It is the responsibility of the patient, if required by their insurance carrier, to obtain pre-certification or referral (HMO's, Tricare Prime, etc) prior to visiting University Health Services. Questions concerning benefits must be directed to your insurance company. 

Student Insurance

Samford University is pleased to partner with Academic HealthPlans to offer a Blue Cross Blue Shield health insurance policy for students. Undergraduate students (9 credit hours or more) and graduate students (6 credit hours or more) are eligible to enroll during open enrollment periods.

International students and College of Health Sciences students in the Schools of Health Professions, Nursing and Pharmacy are required to have health insurance. These mandatory students who have private insurance should request a waiver to avoid automatic enrollment in the Samford/AHP plan. Insurance fees for mandatory enrollees are processed through student accounts. Voluntary enrollees pay AHP directly.

 Waiver deadlines, open enrollment dates and policy details are included in the Student Health Plan flyer linked below. For questions regarding student insurance, contact Tracy Hanrahan, business services coordinator, 205-726-4578.

View Student Health Plan

Cancellations

There is a $25 fee for missed appointments not canceled at least one hour prior.

Due to limited appointment availability each day, it is important that if you schedule an appointment please make every effort to keep it.

When to go to the Emergency Room

Some medical conditions are true emergencies. Do not come to our clinic if you are experiencing a medical emergency. Go directly to the nearest emergency room or call 911.

Go straight to the ER if:

• You’re experiencing chest pain, especially on the left side.
• You’re in respiratory distress and are short of breath, especially while at rest
• You’re experiencing symptoms of a stroke. Stroke symptoms include:
  • Facial drooping or numbness
  • Arm weakness
  • Slurred or difficult-to-understand speech
  • Difficulty seeing in one or both eyes
  • Sudden dizziness or difficulty walking
  • Sudden severe headache with no known cause
• You’ve had a seizure or lost consciousness
• You’ve experienced physical trauma or have a serious head injury
• You’re bleeding uncontrollably

Emergency Room Information

Brookwood Baptist Medical Center

Brookwood Baptist Freestanding Emergency Department

Learn More

Grandview Medical Center

Learn More

St. Vincent's Birmingham

Learn More

Urgent Care

The Emergency Room is for true medical emergencies. You can visit our clinic for your non-emergency medical needs, including:

• Cuts
• Sprains
• Fractures
• Flu
• Fever
• Vomiting
• Sore throat
• Sinus infections
• Asthma attack
• Infections
• Abdominal pain
• Earache
• Insect bites and stings
• Chest pain
• Migraine headaches
• UTI
• Skin infections
• Abscesses
• Rashes
• Respiratory infections

Our clinic hours are 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday to Friday. Visit MedHelp Lakeshore if you need urgent care on the weekend.

If you are experiencing symptoms of COVID-19, including fever, cough, congestion, or a known COVID-19 exposure, please call 205-306-2131 or fill out our secure online form for a telehealth screening and to schedule a COVID test.

For other urgent issues on campus, please call Public Safety at 205-726-2020.