VCOM Institutional Policy and Procedure Manual

VCOM Policy and Procedure

Policy #S017

3. EXTERNAL COUNSELING SERVICES In addition to VCOM’s Mental Health Counselors, VCOM contracts with mental health providers in each of the campus communities to ensure that VCOM students have readily accessible mental health services when preferred by the student. The fee for the first four visits, per incident, is covered by the agreement between VCOM and the provider and is free to students and their immediate families. Visits beyond this will be at the expense of the student (or the student’s family member). All students, OMS 1 – OMS 4, who have VCOM health insurance, have access to LiveHealth Online where they can access psychology, psychiatry, and general medical appointments via video appointment. There is no out-of-pocket cost for students who are covered, and services are available to family members for a fee. During the OMS 3 and OMS 4 years, students may continue to utilize the community based counseling providers, any of the VCOM Mental Health Counselors, or for those with VCOM health insurance, LiveHealth. For OMS 3 and OMS 4 students who do not have VCOM health insurance, VCOM has contracted with TimelyCare, a virtual health and well-being platform available 24/7. Students can schedule up to 12 mental health counseling visits per year at no out-of-pocket cost. Students can also access TalkNow, a 24/7 on-demand emotional support service to talk about anything, including anxiety, relationships, depression, and school-related stressors. Psychiatry services are provided through referrals through your VCOM Mental Health Counselor. TimelyCare also provides health coaching, and multiple self-care tools and resources, such as meditation and yoga sessions, helpful videos, and short articles from experts. Counseling is confidential between the student and counselor. Only in cases where the student is required by the Promotion Board or the Professional and Ethics Standards Board to seek counseling for the purpose of student or patient safety is communication required between the counselor and administration, and only upon approval by the student. 3.1 24-Hour/365 Days a Year Emergency Counseling Services VCOM provides 24-hour/365 days a year emergency counseling services to all students through each campus’ affiliated community-based counseling service, VCOM student health insurance, and/or TimelyCare for eligible OMS 3 and 4 students. 4. HEALTH SERVICES VCOM ensures that diagnostic, preventive, and therapeutic health services are available to students within the campus community and in the communities of our core hospital sites through agreements with primary care health providers. Health services are confidential. Students who need healthcare services outside of the office hours of the healthcare providers listed must visit their local emergency room or urgent care office. Students are provided with information regarding these services at the beginning of each academic year. The information for eligible providers at each core site is also provided to

VCOM Student Health and Counseling Services Policy

Page 2 of 3