Student Health Services

Make an Appointment

To schedule an appointment, call the Sanford Vermillion Medical Clinic at 605-677-3700.

Full- or part-time students who pay the General Activity Fee may make appointments. Online-only students are not eligible for Student Health services. We do not charge for office visits with providers.

If you have an urgent care need, you may arrive without an appointment and wait for the next available time to be examined. There may be a wait depending on the availability of the provider. Students who have existing accounts may request an appointment through their My Sanford Chart account.

Schedule Appointment

What to Bring

You will be required to bring:

• USD Student Identification Card (Coyote Card)
• Medical Insurance Card
• State-Issued Photo I.D.
• Payment Method

Required Forms

At your first appointment, you will complete a variety of forms, including:

• Medical History Information Form
• HIPAA Consent Form
• Consent for Treatment Form
• Student Health Consent Form

My eVisits 

Sanford Vermillion Medical Center offers online and confidential diagnosis and prescribed treatment for common conditions through My eVisits. You can use your My Sanford Chart account to access My eVisit. You will receive an answer within one business day. Conditions include: 

• Pink Eye
• Back Pain
• Diarrhea
• Urinary Problems
• Sunburn
• Heartburn
• Breastfeeding Mastitis
• Athlete's Foot
• Hayfever
• Vaginal Discharge
• Cough
• Sinus Problems
• Insect Bite
• Rash
• Influenza (Flu)
• Acne
• Diaper Rash
• Head Lice

Email usd.immunizations@sanfordhealth.org with any questions.

After you visit USD Student Health, you are invited to fill out the Student Health Comment Form with any concerns or comments.

Due to regulations mandated by the South Dakota State Law, South Dakota Board of Regents and the State Health Department, ALL students whatever their classification or status must have medically signed proof of TWO (2) properly administered immunizations OR immune titers for Measles (Rubeola), Rubella and Mumps. These are required for all new, readmitted and transferred students of all State Institutions.

State required immunizations are available at Student Health and through other healthcare providers. See a list of immunization costs and other fees. Expenses associated with required testing and immunizations are the responsibility of the student.

Please submit immunization documentation at least two (2) weeks prior to school registration to:

Sanford Clinic Vermillion
USD Student Health
20 S. Plum Street
Vermillion, SD 57069
usd.immunizations@sanfordhealth.org

Students who fail to provide the required proof of immunization will be refused registration and will not be able to attend classes until in compliance.

Proof of Immunizations

Evidence of immunization* or immunity will be documented and signed by a healthcare provider or other record keeper. Send your immunization records to USD by email, fax or mail. (If you are enrolled in only online classes, you may be exempt from this requirement; please contact your admissions counselor for more information.)

Complete the Immunization Health History Form

Other immunization records acceptable to the South Dakota Department of Health also may be used to document compliance with the immunization requirements. These are:

• A physicians certificate
• Immunization records forwarded by another school
• A record maintained by student or parent showing the month and year during which dose of vaccine as administered - signed by a health professional.

Criteria

All students who meet established criteria are obliged to demonstrate immunity to measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR). Relevant criteria (i.e. key factors which drive the need for compliance) are detailed below:

• Age - students born on or after January 1, 1957 must demonstrate immunity; those born prior to this date are excused.
• Course schedule - students who register for two or more credit-bearing classes – and at least one course involves face-to-face contact on a weekly basis for two or more weeks – are obliged to comply. This includes participation at all campuses, centers (including University Center, Capital University Center, and West River Higher Learning Center), and miscellaneous off-campus sites.

Those students for whom vaccination presents a threat to health/well-being and those who adhere to a religious doctrine that opposes immunizations may petition for a permanent exemption or temporary waiver as appropriate. Note: the statute does not allow for philosophical objections.=

Exemptions

Exemptions to the MMR requirement will be considered if there is a medical or religious contraindication.

Permanent Exemption

• A serious, chronic medical condition that contraindicates administration of vaccines on a long-term basis. A Physician Statement is required.
• Affiliation with an established religion, the doctrine of which prohibits vaccinations. A completion of approved University Form or submission of hard copy personal statement is required. Note: state law requires validation from a parent if the student is less than 18 years of age.
• Adverse reaction to first MMR precludes administration of the second. A Physician Statement is required.

Temporary Exemption

A medical condition of short duration that contraindicates administration of vaccines; the most common application of this waiver is linked to pregnancy. A Physician Statement is required.

In the event of an outbreak, students who are granted waivers and exemptions will be excluded from campus. Exclusion procedures will be determined at the point of the outbreak and will adhere to the advice of the South Dakota State Department of Health.

 

Record Keeping and Releasing

The medical record is a legal document providing a chronicle of a patient's medical history and care. Physicians, nurse practitioners, nurses and other members of the health care team may make entries in the medical record. Every patient who has received health care services at USD Student Health Services has a medical record.

Some of the information contained in the medical record is:

• Identification information such as local address and telephone number.
• Patient health history, which tells the health care provider about their past and present health status.
• Medical examination findings that the health care provider will observe when the patient is examined.
• Other information, which may include:
  
  • Lab test results
  • Medications prescribed
  • Referrals ordered to health care providers outside of the University Student Health Center
  • Educational materials provided
  • Patient instructions

Access

Only authorized personnel at USD Student Health Services have access to the medical records. In most cases, a patient's written authorization must be given in order for the information to be shared, exceptions to this include:

• Forwarding records to other health care providers for continuity of care
• Releasing information when required by law, such as the reporting of infectious disease or animal bites to the state health authorities

If you would like another person, such as a parent or spouse, to be able to communicate to USD Student Health Services staff regarding your healthcare, please follow the instructions in Option 2 below of "How to Request a Copy of or Authorize Access to My Medical Records" and designate that person as a recipient.

Retention of Records

Medical records of students are retained for 10 years following the last date of service. After 10 years of inactivity, the medical records are securely destroyed in accordance with state and federal regulations.

Request a copy of or authorize access to medical records

Option 1
You may request a copy of your medical record for yourself or another health care provider by coming to USD Student Health and filling out an Authorization Disclosure Form.

Option 2
For those who cannot make a personal visit to the health center, please submit the HIPAA Authorization to Use or Disclose Health Information to:

Sanford Clinic Vermillion
USD Student Health
20 S. Plum Street
Vermillion, SD 57069
Fax: 605-624-6663

All requests should include:

• Full legal name and Student Identification Number or date of birth. (Include your name while enrolled at USD if different)
• What part of record you want (be specific: per date(s); type of problem) and the purpose for the release
• List the complete address for where to send records and telephone number. If records are to be faxed, please include the fax number
• Include your phone number and a billing address
• Sign (written signature) and date to validate

**We cannot accept requests for copies of medical record information by email

Copies of medical records

If you are requesting a copy of your medical records for another health care provider there is no charge. If you are requesting records for other purposes, a copy charge of $10-$15 may be incurred. This fee must be paid when copies are picked up as this cannot be billed to you. Medical records requests for information from patient's records will be process in 7 - 14 business days. 

Contact

You may call the Health Information Management department at 605-677-3700.

Student Health is not an insurance. It is a list of discounted rates that are offered to students through the Student Health Agreement with USD.

View Student Health Fees and Discounts

Domestic Insurance Marketplace

There are several options available to you to seek health insurance coverage in the federal health insurance marketplace or from private insurance carriers. The health insurance marketplace website has interactive tools that will assist you in finding an insurance plan that meets your coverage needs and will help you determine if your income level qualifies you for a subsidy.

The state of South Dakota has three providers available in the health insurance marketplace, including: Avera Health Plans, Sanford Health Plan and DakotaCare.

International Student Insurance Carrier
International Student Insurance (ISO)
Inside the U.S.: 1-844-268-2686
Outside the U.S.: 1-610-263-2847
Email: studentinfor@geo-blue.com (in the U.S.) or customerservice@geo-blue.com (outside the U.S.)

Prescriptions

Prescription drugs are the student's responsibility and you may use the pharmacy of your choice. Limited amounts of some basic medications are provided at no additional cost as part of some initial treatment regimens until the prescription can be filled. 

Billing

Sanford Clinic Vermillion/USD Student Health participates with most health plans.

If there are charges for your clinic visit, payment is due at the time services are renders. Sanford Clinic Vermillion accepts payment by cash, check, Visa, MasterCard, Discover or USD Coyote Cash.

If you have questions about a bill or services you have received, contact 605-677-3700 or usd.immunizations@sanfordhealth.org.

Unresolved Claims

Payment is due 30 days after the insurance pays. Patients will receive monthly statements notifying you of the status of your account. Sanford Clinic Vermillion does not follow up with health plans on unresolved claims.

If Student Health isn't open or the service you need isn't covered, you may choose care at the hospital emergency room or other locations. The cost of this care and any insurance arrangements are your responsibility.

Sanford Vermillion will coordinate your care, including consultation with your hometown doctor and parents at your request. A full range of additional health services are available in Vermillion, including:

• 24-hour emergency care
• Ground and air ambulance support/access
• 25-bed critical access
• Medical, surgical, pediatric and obstetrical care by local medical staff
• Diagnostic services, including CT, MRI, mammography, ultrasound, x-ray and full-service laboratory
• Rehabilitation services, including physical, occupational, speech, cardiac, pulmonary and recreational therapies
• Respiratory care, including asthma education
• Specialty outreach clinics, including allergy and asthma, cardiology, ENT surgery, gastroenterology, gynecology, neurology, ophthalmology, orthopedics, podiatry, pulmonary, rehabilitation, urology, vascular, thoracic and cardiac surgery

For more information about Sanford Vermillion Medical Center Services, call 605-677-3700.

As a student health patient, you have rights such as privacy and confidentiality, courtesy, clear information about your treatment and participating in decisions about your care. You also have the responsibility to partner with us and participate in planning and carrying out your care.

Rights

You have the right to courteous treatment. It is your right to:

• Be treated with dignity and respect, free from verbal, physical and psychological abuse or harassment. The care you receive will not be biased by your race, color, national origin, religion, sex, age, financial status, disability, source of payment or type of illness.
• Ask staff to introduce themselves and explain their role in your care.
• Have your personal values, beliefs and culture respected, and the care you receive to be centered around your individual needs.

You have the right to privacy and security. Your privacy is an important part of your care. It is your right to:

• Receive private and comfortable surroundings for examinations and discussions with physicians and staff.
• Have privacy and security regarding your personal, written, phone and electronic communications while a patient.

You have the right to confidentiality of all personal, medical and financial information. We are committed to protecting your privacy. Your information will be used to:

• Carry out your treatment
• Obtain payment for the services you receive
• Conduct our internal operations, such as quality improvement
• Fulfill purposes as required by law

For complete information on how your information is used and your right to control and access that information, review Sanford's notice of privacy practices.

You have the right to participate in decisions about your care. We value the partnership between patients and caregivers. We want you to play an active role in your own health care, and we respect your right to:

• Have a full explanation of your health status, along with alternative treatments and the risks and benefits of each so that you may provide informed consent to the treatment you choose.
• Choose a course of treatment or refuse a diagnostic procedure or treatment
• Receive an appropriate response to reports of pain
• Review all health care records relating to your care
• Choose your health care provider
• Decide whether or not to participate in experimental research
• Have an advance directive and have your health care providers honor it
• Have a surrogate decision-maker if you are incapable of understanding or communicating

You also have the right to:

• Know any continuing care requirements
• Not be transferred to another facility or service without an explanation of the need for the transfer
• Be informed of the charge for services and the extent to which it will be paid by third-party payers
• Be involved in resolving conflicts about care decisions
• Be informed of the method for filing complaints about the quality of care or violation of rights
• Have complaints heard and resolved in a timely manner, and to be informed of the appeal process
• Be informed of the services, practitioners and providers available to you
• Be informed of your rights and responsibilities
• Be cared for in a safe setting
• Know the name and address of the state or county agency to contact for additional information or assistance
• These rights also apply to minors or those who are incapable of exercising their own rights, with parents or legal guardians assuming responsibility.

Responsibilities

As a patient, it is your responsibility to:

• Respect the privacy of others
• Provide us with honest information about your health history
• Let us know if you do not fully understand the plan of care or any instructions given to you
• Inform us of any unexpected changes in your condition or any pain-related issues you may be experiencing
• Keep your appointments, or give adequate notice if you must cancel
• Follow policies that may affect care and conduct
• Know the name and purpose of your medications
• Provide us with a copy of your advance directive
• Fulfill your financial responsibility
• We will provide you with as much information as you need to make informed decisions about your health care. You are responsible for your actions if you refuse treatment or choose not to follow appropriate instructions.

Questions

If you have questions about the quality of your care when using our services, please call 605-328-6960 or contact the following agency:

South Dakota Department of Health
600 East Capitol Avenue
Pierre, South Dakota 57501-2536
605-773-3361
1-800-738-2301

Influenza, or flu, is a viral infection of the nose, throat, bronchial tubes and lungs. There are 2 main types of virus: A and B. Each type includes many different strains which tend to change each year.

Influenza is highly contagious and is easily transmitted through contact with droplets from the nose and throat of an infected person who is coughing and sneezing.

Symptoms

Typical flu symptoms include headache, fever, chills, cough and body aches. Intestinal symptoms are uncommon. Although most people are ill for only a few days, some people have a much more serious illness, such as pneumonia, and may need to be hospitalized. Thousands of people die each year in the United States from the flu or related complications.

Prevention and Control

Coughs and sneezes should be covered or shielded to protect others. Wash your hands before touching your nose, mouth or eyes. Routine immunization against influenza is the most important control measure. Influenza vaccines may be available (flu shot) through your personal physician or local health department throughout the influenza season. When influenza type A occurs, amantadine and rimantadine may be prescribed for certain individuals to prevent influenza infection. A few studies have shown that the neuraminidase inhibitors are effective in preventing influenza, however, they are currently only licensed for the treatment of influenza. Because new influenza viruses often appear, the effectiveness of the vaccine sometimes varies from one year to the next. Nevertheless, studies have shown that even in years when new strains emerge, people in high-risk groups who obtain annual flu shots tend to have milder illness and are less likely to be hospitalized with complications due to influenza.

People who are allergic to egg protein or other vaccine components should not be vaccinated against influenza.

Resource

Mayo Clinic Influenza Overview

COVID-19 vaccines and booster shots are available at Sanford Health in Vermillion.

Staff at the University of South Dakota and Sanford Health are closely monitoring the Ebola virus disease outbreak in West Africa. Although this is a very serious outbreak in Sierra Leone, Liberia and Guinea and there are cases in Nigeria, the risk of acquiring infection in the United States is considered very low. The possibility remains, however, for travelers who are returning from impacted areas to become ill once they re-enter the United States.

The University will provide updated information about the Ebola virus to the University community when there is new information that could potentially impact faculty, staff and students. Sanford Vermillion Clinic USD Student Health is educating staff about the signs and symptoms of Ebola virus disease and the appropriate infection control precautions to take in order to effective work with patients who may come to USD Student Health with symptoms or call for an appointment.

What is Ebola?

Ebola is a virus. Symptoms include: fever, headache, joint and muscle aches, weakness, diarrhea, vomiting, rashes and abnormal bleeding. Symptoms may appear anywhere from 2 to 21 days after exposure to Ebola, though 8-10 days is most common.

Transmission

• The virus is spread through direct contact (through broken skin or mucous membranes) with:
  
  • a sick person's blood or body fluids (urine, saliva, feces, vomit)
  • objects (such as needles) that have been contaminated with infected body fluids
• Ebola is not a respiratory disease like the flu, so it is not transmitted through the air.
• A person infected with Ebola virus is not contagious until symptoms appear.

More information about the Ebola Virus

Ebola Travel Advisory

The CDC has posted Warning Level 3 Travel Notices recommending that people avoid non-essential travel to Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone at this time. We advise that education-related travel to these countries be postponed until further notice.

Visit the CDC website for more information.