Most commonly asked questions

Please review our list of most commonly asked questions. If you do not find the answer to your questions, please feel free to reach out to our office.

Please do not send any immunization records to our office. Students are required to upload their immunization records to the Point N Click portal. Below you can find a link to the instructions and the portal. Student login information is required to proceed.

Please click HERE for immunization uploading instructions.

Click HERE for the Point N Click portal.

The University of Maine System does have some immunization requirements that need to be met before you can register for classes. The requirements can be accessed on our Immunization Information web page.  There are several other vaccines not required, but you may want to consider checking them out:

  1. Flu vaccine – Each year about 10 – 20% of Americans get the flu. A new vaccine comes out every year.
  2. Meningitis – The American College Health Association recommends all first-year students living in residence halls should receive this vaccine. Bacterial meningitis is extremely rare, but can be fatal. It’s vaccine-preventable.
  3. Gardasil – HPV (Human Papillomavirus is the most common STD/I in the U.S. It causes genital warts and some types of cervical cancer. The three-dose series is given between the ages of 9 – 26.

Maybe. If you are an online student in an online exclusive program, then you are not obligated to submit immunization records. If you are choosing to take online classes for a semester or to limit your time on campus, but are not in an online exclusive program, then you are required to submit immunization records. Contact our office for more details.

We strongly encourage any such student to make an appointment with one of our nurse practitioners shortly after arriving on campus to gather a history and discuss care plans.  Sometimes such planning involves us ensuring that students are connected with local specialty and/or primary care resources such as endocrinologists, allergists, psychiatrists, etc.  Advance time is valuable to have past medical records sent, coordinate needed referrals, signing releases of information, and scheduling specialist appointments.  Please contact us so we can discuss your specific health concerns and how we might be able to help.

Rest

  • Don’t skimp on sleep!
  • Be sure to get about 7 – 9 hours a night whenever you can.
  • Too little sleep can make you feel stressed and depressed, you may have trouble concentrating on papers and tests, and you may have a hard time staying awake in class.
  • You may also be more likely to catch colds and other minor illnesses. Your body can’t fight off germs as well when you are tired and run-down.

Eat Well

  • Eat fruits and vegetables every day (your goal should be 5 a day).
  • Eat lean meats, fish and poultry.
  • Eat foods high in calcium and low in fat.
  • Limit junk food or foods with a lot of fat, sugar and salt.
  • Limit sugary drinks like soda, sweetened tea or coffee, and sports drinks. Switch to plenty of water!

Exercise

  • These 3 types of exercise are a way to maintain a stronger immune system:
  • Aerobic exercise strengthens your heart and lungs. These are activities like biking, running, fast walking, swimming, dancing, and rowing.
  • Strengthening exercise tones and builds muscles and bone mass. You can do this by doing sit-ups, push-ups, and leg lifts, or by working out with weights or resistance bands.
  • Stretching exercise, like yoga, improves flexibility or range of motion.
  • Join an intramural sport or fitness class. Check out the campus gym.
Pro Tip: Don’t have time to work out? Try to sneak exercise into your day. Walk or bike to class rather than drive. Do a set of Monster Kicks down the hallway on the way to your classroom. Do some stretching exercises between subjects while studying.

Handwashing

We use our hands far more than we realize throughout the day, coming in contact with millions of germs. To prevent colds and infections, it’s crucial to wash your hands thoroughly for 30 seconds with soap and water. Do this before eating or preparing food, after using the toilet, after coughing – sneezing – wiping your nose, after contact with those who are sick, and after touching animals, waste / litter or money.

Most illnesses seen on college campuses are treatable and usually not severe. It may surprise you that University Health Services provides many services. You can make an appointment to be seen for various acute illnesses, and we also provide birth control, STI testing and treatment, smoking cessation, travel and other immunizations, lab services, free condoms and basic primary care.

Health Services will bill your health insurance, so please bring your insurance card to your appointment with you.  Copays will be charged in accordance with the requirement of your health insurance plan.  If an in house lab or medication is ordered that cannot be charged to your insurance then the charge will be billed to you directly. Please follow the instructions on your bill to pay. If you need to pay by debit or credit card, please click HERE.  Please have ready your name, Mainestreet ID number, invoice number, and invoice amount to process. Also, PLEASE BE ADVISED THAT OUR ONLINE PAYMENT SYSTEM DOES NOT ACCEPT DEBIT OR CREDIT CARDS ASSOCIATED WITH A HEALTH SAVINGS ACCOUNT (HSA).

As a patient of University Health Services, you may now request an estimate for your upcoming scheduled visit. Click here to learn more!

If you have health insurance, University Health Services will request your insurance card information and bill your insurance.  You will be responsible for the copay and deductible as outlined in your policy.  You can find out what these charges would be by calling the number on the back of your insurance card.

If you are uninsured, you may apply for a reduced rate with our Reduced Fee Application. This may reduce the direct costs to you for our services. Please contact the office to discuss completing the reduced fee application form.

Visit costs will vary depending on a variety of factors including but not limited to:  your insurance status, level of complexity, length of visit, whether you are a new or established patient, ancillary tests, treatments/prescriptions rendered and vaccine costs.

The average fee ranges at Health & Counseling Services are as follows:

Counseling Intake = $220 

Mental health evaluation = $290

Counseling visit = $120 – $215 (* Note: Your first counseling consult visit is free) 

Mental health medication management = $145-$166

Physical exam = $200 – $230

Medical office visit = $75 – $280

Immunization (1 vaccine) = $65 – $160

Note: All ancillary tests and procedures performed outside of University Health Services as well as charges from pharmacies and our laboratory vendor (Quest Laboratories), are billed separately by those providers.

Health Services closes at 4:30PM on weekdays, is closed through the weekend, and is closed during holidays and summer. If a medical emergency occurs during these times, please call 911 or go to the closest emergency room or urgent/walk-in care center.

Mercy Urgent Care at Gorham Crossing: 207-535-1400

74 County Road, 19 S Gorham Crossing Rd, Gorham until 8PM

MMC Urgent Care Plus in Portland: 207-662-8111

335 Brighton Ave, Portland until 8PM

ConvenientMD Westbrook: 207-517-3800

950 Main St, Westbrook until 8PM

Northern Light/Mercy Hospital ER in Portland: 207-879-3000

175 Fore River Parkway, Portland (Open 24 hours)

Maine Medical Center ER in Portland: 207-662-0111

22 Bramhall St, Portland (Open 24 hours)