Though Binghamton University Health Services is the main provider of medical care on campus, there are many alternatives during off-hours, such as weekends, for BU students.
A list of facilities students can visit is available in the waiting room of the Health Services Building or online in the Frequently Asked Questions section of their Web site.
According to Johann Fiore-Conte, administrative director of Health Services, if a student is taken off campus in a Harpur’s Ferry ambulance, they will be transported to any of the three local hospitals, depending on what medical aid they seek and how close a hospital is to their current location.
The waiting times in emergency rooms at local hospitals are influenced by a variety of factors. Different times of day, holidays and the severity of the patient’s condition all yield different wait times.
“The waiting time for Wilson Memorial’s ER is usually one to two hours for walk-ins, and less for emergency visits,” said Karen Zinobile, nurse director at Wilson Memorial Hospital.
Lourdes Hospital uses a Fast Track service, which sorts and treats patients with less severe cases.
“If you have a less serious situation, we advise you to use a walk-in instead of going to the ER,” Lisa Donovan, media relations for Lourdes Hospital said. “Patients going to the ER for minor problems contribute to wait times.”
After receiving treatment, students must provide identification and insurance forms to send bills to the proper location.
Binghamton General Hospital and Wilson Memorial Hospital are both owned by United Health Services, but students don’t necessarily need an insurance card prior to receiving treatment, according to the company’s policy.
“A copy of the insurance card is needed, but if they don’t have it at the time of the visit, we will still take care of them,” Zinobile said.
If the medical situation is a minor one, students can simply come to Health Services the next morning, according to Fiore-Conte.
Walk-ins are available from 8 to 11 a.m., and students can schedule appointments in the afternoon hours up to 4:45 p.m.
All medical appointments on campus are confidential unless a student wants to release information to an outside source, such as his family, Fiore-Conte said.
“We are very strict about this rule, which makes students feel comfortable to come over to our facility to receive the attention they need,” Fiore-Conte said.
Students pay a health fee as part of their semester bill, so care at Health Services is without charge, pending certain constraints. If a student travels off campus to receive medical attention, the bill will be sent to the student’s private insurance.
“Services obtained off campus, such as X-rays, lab work, walk-in clinic or ER services, would be the financial responsibility of the student and may be covered by their private insurance,” Fiore-Conte said.