Policies

Late Cancellation/No-Show Policy

Health & Counseling Services

Counseling Services and Health Services require that students call to cancel their appointments by 8:30am the day of their appointment. If a student calls after SHAC hours of operation, they can leave a voicemail to cancel their appointment.

Acupuncture Services

If you miss two appointments in a term, either late cancellations (less than 24 hours notice) or no shows (or any combination of those two things) you will not be allowed to schedule or reschedule more appointments until the following term.

Dental Services

Dental Services requires 24-hour notice of cancellations.

Patient Rights & Responsibilities

An integral part of effective health care involves cooperation from both the patient and the health care team. Therefore, patients must know their rights and their responsibilities. It is part of SHAC’s mission to help our students become better health care consumers.

You can share comments, concerns, or grievances by contacting the SHAC Director of Administrative Services, Heather Goah at 503.725.2552 or hsh@pdx.edu or by visiting the SHAC Feedback Form.

Listed below is a set of SHAC’s patient responsibilities and rights.

Your Basic Responsibilities

To be respectful in speech and manner to the SHAC staff and to adhere to the PSU Student Code of Conduct
To seek medical, mental health, or dental attention promptly if needed
To be honest about your medical, mental health, or dental history
To ask questions about anything you do not understand
To follow health, mental health, and dental health advice and instructions
To report any significant changes in symptoms or failure to improve
To respect clinic policies
To keep appointments or cancel in advance (Late Cancellation and No-Show Fee Policy)
To seek non-emergency care during regular business hours
To provide useful feedback about services and policies
To maintain a current address and phone number in the PSU system in order to facilitate communication as necessary. Updates can be made in myPSU under "My Account".
To present photo identification and your insurance card for services
If you are referred to another provider you have the responsibility to follow through with the referral, and to alert SHAC if it is not viable.
We are unable to provide supervision for children who are unattended in the waiting room, please make arrangements for childcare. Visit Campus Childcare Resources for assistance.

Your Basic Rights

To be treated with dignity and respect
To know the name and professional status of the person(s) serving you.
To confidentiality*
To receive accurate information about your health, mental health, and dental related concerns
To know the effectiveness, possible side effects and problems of all forms of treatment
To participate in choosing a form of treatment
To select and or change your healthcare provider
You are encouraged to talk with your provider about any concerns you have with your working relationship, particularly if your needs are not being met. If you are dissatisfied with your provider you have the right to request a different one. You are encouraged to discuss this first with current SHAC provider.
To review your medical, mental health, or dental records with a provider
To information about services and any related costs

*In accordance with state and federal laws as well as professional ethical guidelines established for health, mental health, and dental professionals SHAC maintains confidential records of all patient contacts. This means that no information about your contact with SHAC will be disclosed to parties outside of SHAC without your written request. There are some exceptions to confidentiality however. Medical, mental health, and dental providers may be required to release certain information in any of the following situations: (1) if you indicate an intent to harm yourself or others; (2) if you reveal abuse or neglect of a child, or of an elderly or disabled adult; (3)if a court of law orders disclosure of information about your treatment; (4) if you initiate legal proceedings regarding your mental health treatment, or use mental illness as a defense in a criminal or civil action; (5) if you are diagnosed with a reportable disease as required by the State Health Department; or (6) if you are at risk of operating a motor vehicle. Confidentiality in these cases will be limited to the extent the law allows.

Medical Excuse Policy

The Center for Student Health & Counseling does not provide medical excuse notes for academic absences (e.g. classes, labs, studios or exams), or for missed deadlines due to short-term illness, injury, or other clinical appointments.

This policy is consistent with our commitment to maintain student confidentiality and follows the recommendations of the American College Health Association. We encourage Portland State University (PSU) students to communicate directly with faculty/instructors/staff regarding factors that may affect their academic performance/attendance including illness and injury.

Students requiring ongoing accommodations for health concerns should coordinate this through the Disability Resource Center. Students who wish to drop or withdraw from all courses should speak with the Registrar’s Office.

Patient Confidentiality

In accordance with state and federal laws as well as professional ethical guidelines established for health, mental health, and dental professionals SHAC maintains confidential records of all patient contacts. This means that no information about your contact with SHAC will be disclosed to parties outside of SHAC without your written request.

There are some exceptions to confidentiality however. Medical, mental health, and dental providers may be required to release certain information in any of the following situations: (1) if you indicate an intent to harm yourself or others; (2) if you reveal abuse or neglect of a child, or of an elderly or disabled adult; (3)if a court of law orders disclosure of information about your treatment; (4) if you initiate legal proceedings regarding your mental health treatment, or use mental illness as a defense in a criminal or civil action; (5) if you are diagnosed with a reportable disease as required by the State Health Department; or (6) if you are at risk of operating a motor vehicle. Confidentiality in these cases will be limited to the extent the law allows.