Health Services Frequently Asked Questions  (FAQs)
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1. Who is the Director of Health Services?

2. What are the hours of Operation?

3. We belong to an HMO, will my son/daughter be covered in Nashua? What hospital can my child go to with our HMO?

4. We belong to an HMO/PPO, should our student enroll in the schools insurance policy?

5. Does the school automatically enroll everyone in their insurance plan?

6. What does the schools insurance policy cover?

7. How do I get in touch with the insurance agent?

8. Does my son/daughter have to pay for health care at the Student Health Center?

9. What immunizations does my child have to have? Why?

10. We have a religious objection to vaccination. Can my child still attend DWC?

11. My child has already started the Hepatitis B series and will need his or her next shot while they are in school. Can he or she get the shot at the Health Center?

12. My son or daughter has had a positive TB test in the past. What should he or she do?

13. I can’t find my immunization records, although I’m pretty sure I had them all. What should I do?

14. My child needs to have a physical for athletics; does he or she also need a separate physical for the health form requirements?

15. My child has to have an FAA medical exam in order to fly, does he or she need to have 2 physicals?

16. My son or daughter needs to have an FAA Medical Exam, where can he or she get that?

17. I’m going to a different school this year and need a copy of my immunizations or else they’re not going to let me register!

18. I graduated/left DWC a few years ago and need my immunization/medical records.

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1. Who is the Director of Health Services?
   The Director of Health Services is Kelly M Nordstrom, M.S.N, ARNP.  She is a pediatric nurse practitioner. Her phone number is 603-577-6587; her e-mail is nordstrom@dwc.edu
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2. What are the hours of Operation?
   Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday 9am - 4pm

   Wednesday 12 PM - 6 PM

   Friday 10 AM - 2 PM

Students are encouraged to check the Health Center website or front door for current hours, as there can be some variability.

 

In addition, the director occasionally needs to be elsewhere on campus for meetings, so we encourage students to schedule appointments to assure the best service. (return to top)
 

1. We belong to an HMO, will my son/daughter be covered in Nashua? What hospital can my child go to with our HMO?
   Because all HMOs/PPOs have different policies and procedures, the parent should call the customer service number on their insurance card and inquire as to what the procedures are for a student attending college outside of service area. They should make sure they know what is covered. Some HMOs/PPOs will only cover care provided for emergencies that happen outside of the service area (away from home). They should make sure the student has an insurance card with him/her and knows what to do if they need to seek health care outside of the Student Health Center. If the student plans on participating in athletics while at DWC, the parent should also inquire of the HMO whether or not injuries incurred while participating in intercollegiate sports will be covered, as many do not.
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2. We belong to an HMO/PPO, should our student enroll in the schools insurance policy?
   Many families find that it is much more convenient to pay the $570 for the college’s insurance policy than to try and get care covered by an out-of-area HMO/PPO. The policy we offer to students may be used either as a stand alone insurance policy or as a supplement to existing medical coverage.  It provides reasonable coverage for common, minor illnesses and injuries and reduces the significant medical costs that can accumulate in more serious illnesses. You can contact the Student Health Center to request a brochure if you have not already received one.
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3. Does the school automatically enroll everyone in their insurance plan?
   If the Student Health Center does not have acceptable proof of insurance, and does not complete the ANNUAL insurance waiver form (either online or by paper form) the student will be enrolled in the school insurance policy and the students account will be billed. This charge will not be removed from the student's bill unless acceptable proof of insurance is provided prior to the start of the semester.  A form is mailed to all students prior to the start of the semester to complete indicating what type of insurance he/she will be utilizing.
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4. What does the schools insurance policy cover?
   The schools insurance policy which is serviced by Frank Cavanar of NAHGA, Inc. agency in Nashua provides students coverage for accidents and illnesses. In the case of an accident or injury, there is a $150 deductible for each occurrence, after which there is a maximum of $1,000. After a student
   reaches the $1,000 maximum, they receive coverage for 80% of medical expenses up to $20,000. This includes coverage for sports injuries and accidents which occur on or off campus.
   
   Sickness benefits also have a $1,000 maximum which can roll into
   supplemental coverage as described above. There is no deductible for sickness or illness. Students receive $150 of prescription drug benefits per sickness or injury and a $250 maximum per year, per condition for maintenance drugs (for example: thyroid medicine, antidepressants, asthma medicine, and contraceptives).  They are eligible for up $150 of lab or other diagnostic tests per illness.
   • The insurance policy will cover counseling and psychiatric care
   provided off campus.
   • The insurance policy is good for the 12 month period from August to
   August- making this a good option for Seniors who may not find a job
   with insurance benefits until the end of the summer.
   • The insurance policy does not cover immunizations, physical exams, or
   other preventative medicine.
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5. How do I get in touch with the insurance agent?
   You can get in touch with the schools agent, Frank Cavanar by calling 603-595-2042.
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6. Does my son/daughter have to pay for health care at the Student Health Center?
   Services at the Student Health Center are free-of-charge to all full
   time students of DWC.  Some services ordered or recommended by the Student Health Center may be charged to the student.  These include: •Immunizations - students are charged the cost of the vaccine.   •Prescription medication - students are responsible for the co-pays or total cost per their insurance plan.
   •Laboratory and other diagnostic tests - these tests will be billed to the student's insurance by the servicing facility.  Students are responsible for the cost of any services not covered by their insurance.
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7. What immunizations does my child have to have? Why?
   All students are required to have the following immunizations:
   • Two doses of Measles, Mumps, and Rubella (separately or as "MMR")
   • A completed childhood series of tetanus, usually including diptheria and pertussis (DPT, DTaP). And a Tetanus (Td) booster within the last 10 years, and preferably a  booster with Tdap if it has been 5 or more years since your last Tetanus booster.
   • A completed 3-4 dose series of Polio vaccination, with a dose after the 4th birthday
   • Varicella (chicken pox) immunity by disease or immunization
   • Tuberculosis risk-screening and skin test if indicated
   
   Although not required, we strongly recommend students be immunized against Hepatitis B, Meningitis, and Gardasil.
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8. We have a religious objection to vaccination. Can my child still attend DWC?
   Yes. You or your child, if he or she is older than 18, need to complete a "Certification of Religious Exemption," in front of a notary public, and have it notarized. Send this in with the rest of your health records. You can request this form by calling/emailing the Student Health Center.
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9. My child has already started the Hepatitis B series and will need his or her next shot while they are in school. Can he or she get the shot at the Health Center?
   Yes. You can do one of two things. Some students get the vaccine serum from their Primary Care Provider for their next shot before they leave and bring it to the health center when they come to campus. This labeled vaccine is kept in the health center until it is time for the next shot in the series and will be administered by the nurse practitioner at that time. Otherwise, the Health Center can administer the vaccine and charge the student the cost of the vaccine, usually $50 per dose. We are unable to bill your insurance company for immunizations.
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10. My son or daughter has had a positive TB test in the past. What should he or she do?
    If a student has a history of a positive Tuberculosis test, they will need to show evidence of a chest x-ray within the year of admittance to DWC. Additionally, we require documentation of medical follow-up and any drug treatment.
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11. I can’t find my immunization records, although I’m pretty sure I had them all. What should I do?
    What you should do is contact your high school or any previous college you attended, as they will may have your records if it has been less than 7 years since you graduated. You should also check with any doctor you received primary care from (pediatrician, community health center). If all else fails and you can not find your records, you can have a blood test to check for immunity against Measles, Mumps, and Rubella (these are called titers), as well as polio, varicella, and hepatitis B.  Positive immune titers can be recorded on your immunization verification sheet. You can also receive a Tetanus-diphtheria booster, regardless of when your last shot was.  It is often less costly to receive repeat immunizations versus having the blood tests.  Repeat immunizations is considered safe.  You should discuss the options with your health care provider.
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12. My child needs to have a physical for athletics; does he or she also need a separate physical for the health form requirements?
    No, they only need to have one physical, however the Health Center must have a separate copy of the physical for the students medical record. The student should bring the Health Center's form with them to have it completed by their health care provider.
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13. My child has to have an FAA medical exam in order to fly, does he or she need to have 2 physicals?
    No. The FAA medical exam fills the physical exam requirement. However, you can ask that the FAA exam be copied onto the colleges physical exam form by the FAA Medical Examiner. It is easiest to simply get a copy of the 2-page exam and use that to meet your requirements.  However, if a student will be participating in sports, the examiner must indicate specifically that he or she is cleared for unlimited sports participation.
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14. My son or daughter needs to have an FAA Medical Exam, where can he or she get that?
    You can go to the following web page to search for an Examiner by state or zip code: http://www.faa.gov/pilots/amelocator/Questions or copies of FAA exams can be obtained by calling the FAA headquarters at 405-954-4821.
    • From this web page, click on "Aeromedical Aviation"
    • Then click on "Aviation Medical Examiners Directory"
    OR You can call Admissions (603-577-6600); they have a directory of Medical Examiners and can find an examiner for you in your area.
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15. I’m going to a different school this year and need a copy of my immunizations or else they’re not going to let me register!
    You can get a medical release request form, which you must fill out, sign, and return to the Student Health Center. You can request a Medical Records Release form from The Student Health Center by phone or by email.  Once completed your records can be sent to you or the school/employer requesting the information.
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16. I graduated/left DWC a few years ago and need my immunization/medical records.

    We keep student records for 7 years after the last time a student graduates/leaves DWC. If you were last here within the 7 years, then we still have your records. Please see question 15 above.
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