Health and Wellness
As a graduate student, it is important to be at your peak, both mentally and physically. Be sure to take advantage of the health-related resources available to you, from on-campus healthcare to free gym access.
- University Health Services (UHS)
- Insurance
- Recreational Sports
- Counseling and Mental Health Center (CMHC)
University Health Services (UHS)
University Health Services helps keep UT Austin students healthy while they focus on their studies. As a UT Austin graduate student, you can expect the same types of services from UHS that you get from your family doctor.
Clinical services include general medical care as well as an urgent care clinic and women’s health, sports medicine, and immunization and allergy shot specialty clinics. Nurses staffing the Nurse Advice Line at 512-475-NURS (6877) can provide guidance to ill or injured students 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
UHS Pharmacy staff can fill prescriptions that have been written by any healthcare provider licensed to practice in the United States. The pharmacy also carries over-the-counter medications, personal care items, and health aids.
University Health Services does not file third party insurance claims for charges, except for students with UT-System-selected Student Health Insurance. If you have other health insurance, you can request documentation to file a claim for reimbursement with your insurance company. Check with your company to determine if you can file a claim and whether they will reimburse you for charges incurred at a “campus health facility.”
The UHS Pharmacy, however, accepts most major prescription drug insurance cards, allowing you to pay the same amount at UHS as you would in your regular pharmacy.
Located in the student services building (SSB), 100 W. Dean Keaton St. (W. 26th). For appointments call 512-471-4955, or log on to www.healthyhorns.utexas.edu.
Insurance
All registered graduate students who take credit courses and pay the required fees are eligible to enroll in the UT System student health insurance plan. All international students holding nonimmigrant visas are eligible and will be automatically enrolled in the plan to complete their registration, except those students who certify in writing that comparable coverage is in effect under another plan as approved by The University of Texas System Board of Regents. The student must enroll in the plan if dependent coverage is desired. Any family member who is a fee-paying student may be insured as a student or as a family member, but not as both.
The Graduate School urges all students to maintain health insurance coverage. If you are interested in enrolling or getting further information about this insurance coverage, an on-campus student representative is available to answer your questions Monday through Friday at University Health Services in the Student Services Building, Room 2.106 or call 512-471-1040. https://www.uhcsr.com/UTexasAustin
In addition, students appointed to work in an academic title for 20 hours a week for at least 4.5 months are eligible for the same insurance benefits as other current employees. Read more about UT-System Student Health Insurance at http://www.utexas.edu/hr/student/insurance.html.
Find out more about UHS policies regarding acceptance of health insurance at http://www.healthyhorns.utexas.edu/insurance.html
Recreational Sports
Rec Sports’ facilities, services and programs are available to all UT Austin graduate students during any semester for which they are registered beginning the first day of classes through the day before classes begin the following semester.
As a student you have access to 500,000 square feet of indoor space, 40 acres of outdoor activity space, and 10 facilities on and off campus. Through Rec Sports, you can join clubs ranging from dance and tennis to roller hockey and water polo, play basketball at Gregory Gym, swim laps at the Aquatic Center and work out at Belmont Hall.
You are required to show your UT ID upon entry to a recreational facility. Additional fees are charged to participate in some programs. For more information, visit www.utrecsports.org.
Counseling and Mental Health Center (CMHC)
CMHC helps students with their personal concerns so they can meet the daily challenges of student life. CMHC provides short-term individual counseling, psychiatric services, and group counseling. The Center regularly offers group meetings designed for graduate students, and has a self-guided MindBody lab to help students learn relaxation techniques and biofeedback. CMHC is staffed by psychologists, psychiatrists, social workers, and other licensed mental health professionals.
CMHC also offers telephone counseling, a confidential service that offers an opportunity for UT Austin students to talk with trained counselors about their problems and concerns. A counselor is available 24 hours a day, every day of the year, including holidays. You can call when you want, at your convenience, in the privacy of your home. The number is 512-471-CALL (2255).
CMHC also addresses issues of dating/relationship violence, sexual violence and stalking through their Voices Against Violence program (http://cmhc.utexas.edu/vav.html)
The CMHC is open to registered UT Austin students and is open between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday. Located in the Student Services Building,100 W. Dean Keaton Street (W. 26th), on the fifth floor. Call 512-471-3515 or visit cmhc.utexas.edu/ to make an appointment or learn more.
