Who's Eligible for Care?

Student Medical Services provides high quality, confidential, holistic health care services to our diverse student population while minimizing costs. We are committed to maintaining the physical and mental well being of our students to enhance educational experience and overall academic success. Dependents and/or spouses of enrolled students are not eligible for services unless enrolled as a student. Faculty and staff of WTAMU are not eligible for services.

Services

• Illness, Injury and Preventive Care
• Minor Surgery Under Local Anesthetic
• Lab Services
• X-ray Services
• Mental Health - Screening Brief Intervention and Referral
• Women's Services: contraceptives, ecp, pregnancy testing, pap smears, GYN exams,  etc.
• Cold Care Packs: decongestants, antihistamines, cough medication and pain relievers, free, no appointment necessary
• Immunizations and Injections
• Medical Equipment: splints, medical boots, crutches, etc. - loan or purchase.  Thermometers - $2 each.
• Class D Pharmacy offering approximately 40 generic medications
• Patient Assistance Programs -  A program that can assist the uninsured and low income patients obtain free or low-cost routine medications. (birth control not included) .
• CPR/AED Classes - Offered to students, faculty and staff. 
• BLS (Basic Life Support) AED Classes - $10 fee - faculty, staff and students.   (Nursing major students must check with the Nursing Department prior to scheduling with Student Medical Services).
• First Aid Classes- free to students, faculty and staff.

Required Immunizations

Meningitis Vaccine: (Offered at WTAMU Student Medical Services  during New Student Orientations and Transfer Student Orientations to new and returning students.)

Texas law requires all students entering an institution of higher education (public and private) to either receive a vaccination against bacterial meningitis or meet certain criteria for declining such a vaccination. This law also requires that the meningitis vaccination occurs within a five-year period before the student arrives at school.

This applies to all new incoming students, under the age of 22, regardless of living on or off campus or any student,  that sits out a long semester. 

For more information on the meningitis vaccine requirements and forms:  www.wtamu.edu/meningitis

Appointment Hours

Fall and Spring

Summer I and II

The center is open only when school is in session and is closed during Intercession, weekends and WTAMU holidays.  The front desk will be open Monday - Friday 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. for administrative purposes.  

Appointments

Call 806-651-3287 (806-651-DCTR) or schedule an appointment online.   Appointments are required and we make every effort to work around class and work schedules. Students must be currently enrolled and present their Buffalo Gold Card. If you are unable to keep an appointment, please contact Medical Services so another student may be scheduled. 

No Shows

As a patient of Student Medical Services, it will be your responsibility to keep scheduled appointments.  The clinic will consider a no show appointment at any time a patient has not given advanced notice within 1 hour of the appointment  All no show appointments are charged a $15  non-cancellation fee per occurrence and $20.00 for specialist appointments per occurrence. 

Be sure to bring your Buffalo Gold Card and your insurance card with you to every appointment.  You will need your Buffalo Gold card to enter the building.

Emergencies

For emergencies, call 911.  Emergency and after hour care is available through local physicians, clinics and hospitals.  Students with severe injuries or life threatening situations should go directly to the hospital or an emergency center for treatment. We are not an emergency center and do not provide assessments for worker's compensation cases.

Payment

The $41.80 student health fee, paid upon enrollment, covers the cost of most office visits, however, there may be charges for diagnostic tests, injections and some procedures. Patients are encouraged to pay at the time of service.  Patients who do not pay within 14 days will incur a $2 processing fee and a hold on academic records.  Statements will be mailed approximately 14 days after the date of service.   Medical Services accepts cash, check, and Buffalo Gold Card.  All payments with major credit cards:  Visa, Master Card, American Express or Discover must be made in person in the Student Medical Services office to be processed.  The student health fee does not cover referrals or emergency care at any other facility.  Any unpaid balance not paid within a 90 day period or  by the close of the semester is subject to collection fees assessed by an outside agency.

Insurance

 WTAMU Student Medical Services  utilizes a third party billing company.  The student health fee, which is paid by the student with each semester’s academic charges,  covers the co-payment. Students may opt to have their primary insurance company billed for services (lab tests, x-rays, medical procedures, medications, etc.) or they may choose to self-pay.   Students may bring in their insurance card (front and back of the card) to be scanned, e-mail a copy of health insurance cards to medical@wtamu.edu or fax  it  806-651-3289.  Please be sure that the copy of the insurance card is legible and includes the name of the student and the student's Buffalo Gold Card number. 

 
The Texas A&M University System Student Insurance Plan 2017-2018
Academic Health Plans

Toll Free - (877) 624-7911

To enroll in this option plan or for more information about the student health insurance plans please go to the following Texas A&M University Insurance website West Texas A&M University Student Health Insurance Webpage

Patient Assistance Programs

There are patient assistance programs that can provide financial assistance for routine/maintenance prescription medications (this does not include contraceptives)  to patients that are uninsured and qualify as low income.  Please schedule an appointment with the Patient Advocate - Hayley Robinson, RN.   (previous tax returns and proof of income are required)

The Texas Vaccine for Children Program provides financial assistance for the meningitis vaccine to students who are 18 or younger and are uninsured.  The price of these vaccines are $10 to those who qualify.

The medical staff will write an excuse note for class or work if the student was ill or injured and only if our providers were involved in the medical care of the student. Please note: Our medical providers cannot write excuse notes for illnesses or problems for which we never provided care. A diagnosis is not disclosed unless requested and approved by the patient. 

Staff

• Director:  LuAnne Rickwartz, RN
• Board Certified Family Physician: Jim Gibbs, MD
• Family Nurse Practitioners -  Candy Marshall, RN, FNP
• Family Nurse Practitioner -  Wendy Hearn, RN, FNP
• Maria Castorena,  Health Integration Specialist
• Stacia Lusby, MD - Consulting Psychiatrist
• X-ray technician: Donna Adams-Stevens, R.T.(R) 
• Registered nurses: Hayley Robinson, RN, Patient Assistant Advocate and LuAnne Rickwartz, RN
• Medical Office Manager: Lori O'Toole     
• CPR/AED Coordinator:  Kristin Huseman
• Office Assistants:   Ellen Torman, Mireya Medina, Lynn Walker, Bailey Luke,Sadie Cates, Rachel Hall, Aspen DeBord and Kayla Stoope.

Questions about Ebola   Ebola Information What you need to know about Ebola.

Other professionals, medical students, nurse practitioner students, nursing students, etc., may also be involved with patient care. You may, within reason, select the professional caring for you.