Health/Counseling/Disabilities
Will Poly students have the same health insurance requirements as NYU students? If so, when will this take effect?
Not this year. Poly has a separate carrier and will continue with them for at least the next year. Discussions are underway to establish cost effectiveness and timing of offering the same health insurance benefits to both Poly and NYU students. Numerous administrative and workflow issues need to be resolved to accomplish this and it is not anticipated that the program will be integrated before the beginning of the 2009-10 academic year.
Will Poly students have access to the Wellness Exchange?
Not this year. The Wellness Exchange is a primary portal for medical, mental health, and crisis services. Poly students would have to pay the NYU student health fee to have access to the Wellness Exchange and it is anticipated that a combined health program is not feasible before the 2009-10 academic year. However, if a Poly student is on the NYU campus and needs emergency services, including the Wellness Exchange, NYU will respond.
If Poly students travel abroad will they have access to NYU “safety net” services?
Not this year. The “safety net” of services for traveling abroad is access to the Wellness Exchange and ISOS (medical evacuation and repatriation subscriber service, for which NYU pays a fee). Access to “safety net” services will be contingent on Poly students paying the NYU student health fee. In the future, should that become the case, it is important to distinguish between students traveling abroad and students studying aboard in NYU sites and programs when addressing “safety net” services needed abroad. All students studying abroad at an NYU site will be entitled to the same services: if they are traveling in some other capacity, these services will not be available. In addition, all students should have either school or their own insurance which may offer health benefits while traveling abroad. The current Poly health insurance plan offers International Assistance Program, Emergency Medical Evacuation and Repatriation coverage for international travel, however, even with U.S.-based coverage with global benefits, many foreign providers require cash in advance before medical service is rendered.
Will the Moses Center oversee management of disability considerations for Poly students? Will Poly pay for services (i.e., use of assistive devices, learning specialists, etc.) as the NYU schools do? How will services for students with disabilities be administered?
This year, Poly students will continue to use the Poly, not NYU resources. Use of this service is contingent on negotiated oversight arrangements, in particular NYU Legal and NYU Judicial Affairs oversight. Poly would have to pay for any additional disability professional staff that would be supervised by NYU personnel. Poly would also need to pay for any assistive devices, learning specialists, etc. similar to other NYU schools.
Will Poly students have access to NYU’s psychiatric services?
Not this year. Poly students access to NYU Counseling and Behavioral Health services, including psychiatric services, would be contingent on Poly students paying a student health fee (see below).
Will Poly students be required to pay the NYU Health Services fee?
Not this year. Access to NYU’s medical and mental health services is contingent on paying a student health fee or another negotiated arrangement such as fee-for-service. Poly students will need to pay the student health fee to have access to NYU health services.
Will the Poly student insurance increase to the same level as the NYU student insurance? If so, when?
Student insurance is determined by each institution independently at this time. There are, however, discussions underway about how to integrate the plans as described above. Numerous administrative and workflow issues are being addressed and it is anticipated that the programs will not be integrated before the 2009-10 academic year.
Will the Poly Counseling Center be asked to conform to the policies and procedures of NYU? Will Poly be asked to adopt the same clinical model as NYU?
In the short term, the Poly Counseling Center will function as it currently does. Changes to conform to NYU policies and procedures are contingent on whether NYU and Poly merge the services and Poly students pay a health fee. If these two things happen, we would be able to assure a similar level of access and quality (comprehensiveness and integration approach) to Counseling Services at Poly as we do at NYU-Washington Square.
Will clinical records at Poly and NYU be linked?
Clinical records at Poly and NYU would be linked only if we move toward a merged arrangement for services. This would be consistent with regulator and accreditation standards and will assure continuity of care and reinforce the health and mental safety net. However, as is customary at NYU, communication with related health entities in emergencies or crisis situation is important; NYU and Poly health and counseling services will work together when it is necessary to be helpful.
Will the training program at Poly Counseling Center remain or become part of NYU’s training program?
In the near term the program will remain unchanged. Changes would be contingent on a possible merger of the services.
What counseling services will remain at Poly? Will Poly’s office become a “satellite office” of the NYU SHC center?
Counseling services at Poly will continue as currently practiced. Discussions are underway about the feasibility and timing of merging the NYU and Poly services. This would include evaluation of Poly’s counseling and behavioral health needs and development of a service model commensurate with the student and staff needs.
Will there be a shuttle service for students seeking medical and psychiatric services in Manhattan?
Not at this time. Poly students will continue to seek treatment as they do now. They are expected to use personal or public transportation unless emergency vehicles are required.
