International Students | Colgate University

Our team of medical providers is experienced working with college-aged students with diverse backgrounds and experiences. We hope you will feel comfortable approaching us with any medical issue or question you may have and that you will let us know how we might best support you during your time at Colgate.

New International Students

Please carefully review New York State and Colgate University’s Mandatory Immunization and Tuberculosis Screening Requirements.

Health Insurance

The United States does not provide socialized medical care; currently, no national health insurance coverage system will cover foreign nationals. Consequently, you must purchase the Colgate Student Health Insurance plan. This Colgate policy has been specifically designed for college students. In developing this policy, Colgate has worked with its insurance carrier to strike a reasonable balance between cost and comprehensive coverage. The plan includes benefits for medical evacuation and repatriation.

For further health insurance information, please see our Health Insurance page or contact Student Accounts.

Health Care in the United States

In the United States, unlike those countries with nationalized health care, fees are charged for all health services received. The cost of those services generally increases with the level of care provided, with “primary care” services being the least expensive and “emergency care” or “hospitalization” being the most expensive. While a student at Colgate, your student tuition covers the majority of costs associated with any visit to Student Health Services. Colgate’s required health insurance is intended to help defer the costs of other medical services, should they be necessary. Please see the description below.

Primary care

In the United State, for most illnesses, injuries, and preventive health care, people usually go first to their “primary care provider” – similar to your family doctor or health practitioner at home.

For Colgate students, Student Health Services (SHS) will be your primary care provider. That means that for most of your medical needs you should start with SHS. If necessary, we will make a referral to other community providers. For a listing of the services we provide, please refer to our Treatment and Services page.

Specialized care

Student Health Services provides some limited “specialty” medical services, including sexual health care, travel health consultations, limited laboratory testing, allergy shots, and some medication. Additional “specialized” services for mental health counseling, alcohol and substance abuse and nutrition counseling are available from our campus Wellness Partners.

Should you require specialized care that is beyond what is available on campus we can assist in helping you locate a community provider. It is important to know that In the United States, medical providers, both primary care physicians and specialists, must be trained and licensed to practice medicine.

If you should require dental or vision care while you are studying in Hamilton, a list of local providers may be found here: Dental Services; Vision Care

After-hours urgent care

Should you experience an urgent health concern when Student Health Services is closed, you are encouraged to visit Hamilton’s Urgent Care facility, between the Community Memorial Hospital and the Colgate townhouses. Visit Community Memorial Hospital’s Urgent Care page for hours and more details.

Emergency care

For life-threatening health problems – such as traumatic injuries, breathing problems, high fever, alcohol poisoning, mental health crises, etc. – you should contact Colgate’s Office of Campus Safety or go directly to Community Memorial Hospital’s Emergency Department. If necessary, Campus Safety will dispatch an ambulance to your location. Campus Safety’s emergency contact number is: 315-228-7333.

Prescription Medication

If you take prescription medications or use a medical device, be sure to read guidelines on Traveling with Medication from the US Customs and Border Protection website.

Please arrange for prescription renewals and/or a supply of medications for the time you will be in the United States. All medications should be stored in their original containers.

When you need additional medication, Student Health Services can look up your medication in an international database to determine the closest product available in the United States.

If you are currently in the United States, we encourage you to contact Student Health Services (315-228-7750) prior to your arrival regarding any transfer of prescriptions from within the United States.

If you wear glasses or contact lenses, you should bring a copy of your current prescription, in case they need to be replaced.

Counseling & Support Services

Americans consider emotional well-being as an important aspect of overall health care.

Increasingly in the United States, international students are utilizing university counseling centers to assist them in addressing issues related to transition, adjustment, academic, and personal or family related concerns.
Sharing very personal or private information with a professional counselor may be a new experience for some international students, especially for those more accustomed to sharing problems with friends or family members. However, Colgate’s Office of Counseling and Psychological Services routinely sees international students for a variety of issues ranging from coping with cultural shock to depression, anxiety or other mental health concerns. To schedule an initial appointment with a counselor, please call 315-228-7053.

Confidentiality statement

Health and Wellness (H&W) and Sports Medicine (SM) staff (athletic trainers and physicians) maintain confidentiality in accordance with the ethical guidelines and legal requirements of their profession. Your health records are maintained in an Electronic Health Record (EHR) and are considered treatment records under FERPA. These records are completely separate from all other Colgate University records and your educational records. Health and Wellness staff may receive information from other offices on campus as part of their role as consultants on campus. Health and Wellness staff and SM staff will not share information about any patient outside of their care team without their written permission, except under the following circumstances:
A patient presents as a serious danger to themself or another person;
A patient is under 18 years of age and discloses abuse or neglect to a clinical provider;
A patient discloses that a minor child, dependent adult, or elderly person is currently at risk for abuse or neglect;
A Colgate student seeks care at Community Memorial Hospital, another hospital, or an urgent care center, and that provider requests information, SHS will share relevant health information as needed for continuity of care.
A valid subpoena is issued on a patient's records, or a patient's records are otherwise subject to a court order or other legal process requiring disclosure;
As required by federal or New York State Public Health law.

Note for Division 1 Athletes receiving care through the Sports Medicine staff
This confidentiality applies to sports-related illness and injury only. If a student discloses information to a Sports Medicine staff member that is not specifically associated with a sports-related injury or illness, the Sports Medicine staff may be legally required to report this information (e.g., report of assault or sexual assault).

If any of the above exceptions are true, SHS staff will only disclose the necessary, relevant clinical information based on their profession's ethical guidelines and legal requirements. SHS staff will notify the patient appropriately of this disclosure as soon as possible.

Patient rights

Be treated with respect, dignity and consideration without discrimination as to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, ability, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, or veteran status.
Be treated with consideration, respect, and dignity, including privacy in treatment;
Be informed of the services available at the center;
Be informed of the provisions for off-hour emergency coverage;
Be informed of your options for providers and request a change in provider understanding that this may require you to reschedule your appointment.
Know the names, credentials, and positions of the staff working with you;
Receive an estimate of the amount that you will be billed after services are rendered, and receive an itemized copy of your account statement upon request;
Obtain from your provider or the provider's delegate complete and current information concerning your diagnosis, treatment (including possible side effects and risks), and prognosis in terms a patient can be reasonably expected to understand;
Participate in your healthcare planning and consent by accepting all or part of treatments offered or refusing all or part of treatments
Request a medical chaperone in the exam room if the exam may be of a sensitive nature.
Receive information from your provider or the provider's delegate necessary to give informed consent before starting any nonemergency procedure or treatment.
1. Informed consent shall include, as a minimum, the provision of information concerning the specific procedure or treatment, the reasonably foreseeable risks involved, and alternatives for care or treatment, if any, to allow the patient to make a knowledgeable decision;
Refuse treatment to the extent permitted by law and to be fully informed of the medical consequences of that action;
Refuse to participate in research if and when it is being conducted at the Health Center and/or through Sports Medicine;
Voice grievances and recommend changes in policies and services to the Health Center without fear of reprisal;
Express complaints about the care and services provided and have the center investigate such complaints.
Privacy and confidentiality of all information and records pertaining to your treatment;
Approve or refuse the release or disclosure of the contents of your medical record to any provider or the provider's delegate and/or healthcare facility except as required by law or third-party payment contract or necessary to safeguard you or the university community;
Authorize or refuse family members and other adults who may have access to your confidential medical information;
Have access to information about Advance Directives (https://www.health.ny.gov/community/advance_care_planning/ )
Language translation services.

Patient responsibilities

Provide the Student Health Center and/or Sports Medicine staff with accurate information about past immunizations, illnesses, injuries, hospitalizations, medications, including over-the-counter products and dietary supplements, and any allergies or sensitivities.
Inform the Student Health Center and/or Sports Medicine staff of any changes in health status that could affect treatment.
Follow the prescribed treatment plan, ask questions if you do not understand the directions or treatment given by a provider, discuss any desired changes in the treatment plan, and participate in your care.
Notify your provider if the treatment plan no longer works for you.
Inform your provider about any living will, medical power of attorney, or other directive that could affect your care.
Treat those giving them care, as well as other patients, with dignity and respect.
Accept personal financial responsibility for any charges not covered by your insurance.
Keep appointments and arrive on time.
Cancel appointments only when necessary and far enough in advance so that other patients might utilize that time.
Be respectful of others' privacy and property while in the Health Center and/or Sports Medicine facilities.
Not take actions that could harm themselves or others.
Let the Health Center know about changes in contact information or insurance information.
Report any adverse side effects of treatment and/or worsening of your condition.

Health Information for International Students