Navigating Health Care
If you haven’t yet navigated health care on your own, this would be a great time to start! Practice contacting your current care provider (using a portal, calling the office, making an appointment) before you arrive at college. This is good preparation for arriving at USC and managing your health care.
Pharmacy and You
Chances are, you will need a prescription at some point during your time at USC. Practice picking up a prescription on your own, and asking questions if you are unsure how to use the medication you are prescribed.
Insurance Card
One of the things you will need to have with you as you access health care is your insurance card.
If you will be taking the Student Health Insurance Plan (SHIP, provided through Aetna), you can log-in to the Aetna portal when you start at USC, and print your insurance card to keep with you (or keep a photo in your phone).
(on or after the first day of classes)
24/7 Phone Line: 213-740-9355
Add the USC Student Health number to your phone.
This number connects to services 24/7, even when the health center locations are closed. USC Student Health services include Advice Nurse, Mental Health Counseling Support, and Confidential Advocates for sexual assault survivor care.
The other 24/7 service at the university is the Department of Public Safety, 213-740-4321 (University Park Campus) and 323-442-1000 (Health Sciences Campus).
Therapy Plus
Therapy Plus is a collection of mental health products and services selected by Counseling and Mental Health Services in USC Student Health. These extension services provide telehealth therapy, chat-based conversations with a trained responder, and asynchronous learning tools to help students learn skills, regulate emotional responses, and recognize critical stress and get help when intervention is needed.
Urgent Health Situations
Same Day/Next Day Appointments. These are appointments that are set aside during each operational day to see students who have symptoms that need to be evaluated right away. When you need to be seen right away, make this illness/injury appointment in MySHR, and if you do not see availability, call Student Health.
Urgent health situations. Know what to do when the health centers are closed — for everything from a mental health matter to a visit to after-hours urgent care.
Confidentiality
Your student health records and health information is private to you and your provider team. Visit records, lab results, clinical notes, and other information are protected under HIPAA and FERPA. Do not share your USC log-in and passwords with anyone, including family members, as this will give them access to private information.
MySHR: Quick Access to Care
One of the fastest ways to connect with services is through MySHR.
You can book appointments (same day/next day when you are ill), sign up for a workshop, send a secure message to your care team — including the Advice Nurse if you have a question about a medical condition, or the confidential advocate if you have a question about relationship-based or gender-based harm.
