Health, Disability and Life Insurance

All medical students are required to maintain health insurance. Students wishing to waive out of the University of Nevada, Reno School of Medicine health insurance, must apply through and be approved by the UNR Student Health Center and be able to demonstrate comparable coverage. The medical insurance policy provides comprehensive pharmacy coverage. Please refer to the current benefit information at the UNR Student Health Center (SHC) site. Coverage for spouses and children is optional and requires additional payment. Disability and life insurance coverage cannot be waived.

Criteria for Health Insurance Waiver

  • The policy must have benefits comparable to the University of Nevada, Reno School of Medicine's policy on per illness or surgical coverage, as well as coverage for related interaction educative sites
  • Students must be prepared to provide a copy of their insurance policy/booklet and proof that they are covered by a comparable plan;
  • Your policy must provide coverage for body fluid exposures.
  • Your policy must cover primary care and emergency services in all areas of Nevada.
  • Your policy must not have an individual deductible greater than $7000.
  • Your policy must provide coverage for prescription medications.
  • Your policy must provide inpatient and outpatient mental health benefits.
  • Students wishing to waive out of the UNR Med health insurance plan must utilize the waiver form, found here.

Hospitalization

In case of necessary hospitalization, coverage is provided with limits as stipulated in the insurance policy purchased at the time of registration. Students are responsible for charges incurred above the limits of the insurance policy.

Primary Care Providers for Medical Students

Student Health Center, Reno

(775) 784-6598

The Student Health Center (SHC) (775)784-6598 is the medical student's primary care provider in Reno. All University of Nevada, Reno, TMCC and WNCC students, graduate students, medical students and spouses of registered students are eligible for care.

The Student Health Center is an outpatient facility located north of the UNR campus directly across the street from the School of Medicine.

Full service outpatient medical care is provided and includes: women's health, colposcopy, treatment for acute illness or injury, pharmacy services, x-ray and laboratory tests, sports medicine, nutrition, immunizations, and allergy shots. Part-time consultants are available for weekly dermatology and mental health clinics. Physicians from the Department of Family and Community Medicine provide after-hours, weekend and holiday phone coverage.

As part of a medical student's health care package, the Student Health Center provides unlimited office visits, some medications, and laboratory tests for the treatment of acute illness and injury. Additional fees may be charged for other medications, x-rays and tests. Additionally, students requiring a physical for personal needs may have those completed at a reduced rate. Medical students have the option of paying the health fee to receive services at the Student Health Center during the summer session.

Student Counseling

Some medical students have personal problems from time to time, many of which are solved by students on their own or with the help of family and friends. Please refer to the insurance plans benefits handbook for information regarding coverage.

All services are strictly confidential. The health professionals at the University of Nevada, Reno School of Medicine who provide mental health, reproductive health or other sensitive healthcare services (as determined by the provider and/or the student) must have no involvement in the academic assessment or promotion of the student.

Immunizations

Each student will have an immunization file established at the Student Health Center upon matriculation to the University of Nevada, Reno School of Medicine. If an immunization has been received off-campus, proof must be provided to the Student Health Center and/or the Office of Admissions and Student Affairs so that the student's immunization record can be updated. Completion of all the health requirements will be documented in each student's file. Proof of immunity must be documented by record of immunization or by serological evidence of immunity. Students who do not meet immunization requirements will not be able to perform essential functions required for medical school enrollment, progression, or graduation.

Upon matriculation all medical students are required to obtain or document the following immunizations:

  • Varicella titer, positive result*
  • Measles, mumps & rubella (students born in 1957 or later must receive two doses of MMR)
  • T-DAP (must show documentation of this immunization within the past 10 years)
  • Influenza Shot (due annually, November 1st)
  • Hepatitis B (series of three)
  • Hepatitis B titer, positive result*
  • QuantiFERON, negative result (TB test - due annually)

*Please note: for the Varicella titer, Hepatitis B titer and QuantiFERON (TB test) a copy of the lab results is required.

Medical students must have the QuantiFERON annually. The QuantiFERON test for tuberculosis is required each year of medical school enrollment and is available at the Student Health Center in Reno.