{"id":159,"date":"2024-12-04T11:30:31","date_gmt":"2024-12-04T16:30:31","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/shs\/?page_id=159"},"modified":"2026-02-19T11:09:39","modified_gmt":"2026-02-19T16:09:39","slug":"medical-referrals","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/shs\/medical-care\/medical-referrals\/","title":{"rendered":"Medical Referrals"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>Sometimes you might need medical services that SHS doesn\u2019t provide. In these circumstances, we can connect you with healthcare providers outside of BU.<\/p>\n<p>Finding medical care off-campus can feel overwhelming, but you don\u2019t have to do it alone\u2014our Referral Coordinator and Insurance experts can help.<\/p>\n<h3>Why you might need a referral<\/h3>\n<p>In general, you will need a referral for any specialty care, tests, or procedures that are not provided at SHS. Some common types of specialty care include:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Treatment from a specialist<\/li>\n<li>X-rays and imaging<\/li>\n<li>Physical therapy<\/li>\n<li>Dermatology<\/li>\n<li>Travel medicine<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/shs\/mental-health\/referral-services\/\">Certain mental health services<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3>How to Request a Referral<\/h3>\n<p>If you\u2019re experiencing a new health concern, schedule an appointment so we can learn more and discuss your referral options.<\/p>\n<p>Schedule online for an initial referral:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Log on to <a href=\"http:\/\/patientconnect.bu.edu\">Patient Connect<\/a><\/li>\n<li>On the left-hand side, select <strong>Appointments<\/strong><\/li>\n<li>Select <strong>Schedule an appointment<\/strong><\/li>\n<li>Select the reason for your visit<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>If you&#8217;re looking to renew a referral or have questions about a past referral from SHS, send a message to our referral coordinator.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Log on to <a href=\"http:\/\/patientconnect.bu.edu\">Patient Connect<\/a><\/li>\n<li>On the left-hand side, select <strong>Messages<\/strong><\/li>\n<li>Select <strong>New Message<\/strong><\/li>\n<li>Select <strong>Referrals<\/strong><\/li>\n<li>Select the type of referral (either <strong>Counseling &amp; Psychiatric Services (CAPS) or Primary Care\/Medical (Physical Health, Chronic Disease, Injury<\/strong>)<\/li>\n<li>Add a message subject to the Subject line<\/li>\n<li>Compose your message in the text box provided<\/li>\n<li>Select <strong>Send<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>You can expect to hear back within 2-3 business days.<\/p>\n<h3>Resources for care outside of SHS<\/h3>\n<p>Some medical care requires referrals, while others do not. Review the resources to learn more.<br \/>\n<strong><div class=\"bu_collapsible_container \" aria-live=\"polite\" data-customize-animation=\"false\"><h3 class=\"bu_collapsible\" aria-expanded=\"false\"tabindex=\"0\" role=\"button\">Dental Care<\/h3><div class=\"bu_collapsible_section\" style=\"display: none;\"><br \/>\n<\/strong>Boston has many qualified dentists to keep your smile in shape during your time at BU. You may enroll in the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/dental\/patient-care\/sdp\/\">Student Discount Program<\/a> through the Henry M. Goldman School of Dental Medicine or the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.aetnastudenthealth.com\/en\/school\/711110\/members\/enroll-waive-coverage.html\">Vital Savings Dental Discount Program<\/a> offered through Aetna Student Health. However, you are responsible for any additional charges that may occur.<\/p>\n<p>Usually, students don&#8217;t need a referral to access dental care, but we recommend connecting with your insurance provider if you have questions.<\/p>\n<p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/p>\n<p><strong><div class=\"bu_collapsible_container \" aria-live=\"polite\" data-customize-animation=\"false\"><h3 class=\"bu_collapsible\" aria-expanded=\"false\"tabindex=\"0\" role=\"button\">Vision Care<\/h3><div class=\"bu_collapsible_section\" style=\"display: none;\"><\/strong><br \/>\nNeed new eyeglasses or contacts? If you are enrolled in SHIP, call Aetna Vision Care at 1-800-793-8616 for a list of in-network eye care providers. For basic vision care, we often recommend <a href=\"https:\/\/buea.net\/location\/boston-primary-eye-care\/\">Boston University Eye Associates<\/a> or <a href=\"https:\/\/necoeyecare.org\/\">New England College of Optometry<\/a>, located at 930 Commonwealth Avenue.<\/p>\n<p>Usually, students don&#8217;t need a referral to access vision care, but we recommend connecting with your insurance provider if you have questions.<\/p>\n<p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/p>\n<p><strong><div class=\"bu_collapsible_container \" aria-live=\"polite\" data-customize-animation=\"false\"><h3 class=\"bu_collapsible\" aria-expanded=\"false\"tabindex=\"0\" role=\"button\">Nutrition Services<\/h3><div class=\"bu_collapsible_section\" style=\"display: none;\"><br \/>\n<\/strong>Boston University\u2019s <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/scnc\/nutrition-services-for-bu-students\/\">Sargent Choice Nutrition Center<\/a> offers a variety of services to help you navigate the dining halls, restaurants, and your kitchen. Their offerings are designed to help you balance your nutritional needs with your preferences, budget, and lifestyle. They offer individual counseling sessions with registered dietitian nutritionists (RDNs) and offer classes, workshops, and interactive educational events.<\/p>\n<p><strong>If you\u2019re enrolled in SHIP, you must obtain a referral before using nutrition services.<\/strong> Without a referral, your care might not be eligible for coverage and higher out-of-pocket costs may apply.<\/p>\n<p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/p>\n<p><strong><div class=\"bu_collapsible_container \" aria-live=\"polite\" data-customize-animation=\"false\"><h3 class=\"bu_collapsible\" aria-expanded=\"false\"tabindex=\"0\" role=\"button\">Physical Therapy<\/h3><div class=\"bu_collapsible_section\" style=\"display: none;\"><\/strong><br \/>\nSHS works closely with the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/sportsmedicine\/\">Ryan Center for Sports Medicine<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/rehab\/\">Boston University Physical Therapy Center (BUPTC)<\/a> and can provide referrals for care. Connect with our referral coordinator on Patient Connect to get started.<\/p>\n<p><strong>If you\u2019re enrolled in SHIP, you must obtain a referral before receiving physical therapy.<\/strong> Without a referral, your care might not be eligible for coverage and higher out-of-pocket costs may apply.<\/p>\n<p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/p>\n<p><strong><div class=\"bu_collapsible_container \" aria-live=\"polite\" data-customize-animation=\"false\"><h3 class=\"bu_collapsible\" aria-expanded=\"false\"tabindex=\"0\" role=\"button\">Dermatology<\/h3><div class=\"bu_collapsible_section\" style=\"display: none;\"><\/strong><br \/>\nSHS partners with several dermatology clinics in the Boston Area, including <a href=\"https:\/\/www.brooklinederm.com\/\">Integrated Dermatology<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/skincenterboston.com\/\">Skin Center Boston<\/a>, for your complex skin needs. Connect with our referral coordinator on Patient Connect to get started.<\/p>\n<p><strong>If you\u2019re enrolled in SHIP, you must obtain a referral before using dermatology services.<\/strong> Without a referral, your care might not be eligible for coverage, and higher out-of-pocket costs may apply.<\/p>\n<p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/p>\n<p><strong><div class=\"bu_collapsible_container \" aria-live=\"polite\" data-customize-animation=\"false\"><h3 class=\"bu_collapsible\" aria-expanded=\"false\"tabindex=\"0\" role=\"button\">X-rays and imaging services<\/h3><div class=\"bu_collapsible_section\" style=\"display: none;\"><\/strong><br \/>\nX-ray services are available at the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/sportsmedicine\/\">Ryan Center for Sports Medicine<\/a>, which is conveniently located right next to the BU Fitness &amp; Recreation Center. Connect with our referral coordinator on Patient Connect to get started.<\/p>\n<p><strong>If you\u2019re enrolled in SHIP, you must obtain a referral before receiving imaging services.<\/strong> Without a referral, your care might not be eligible for coverage and higher out-of-pocket costs may apply.<\/p>\n<p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/p>\n<p><strong><div class=\"bu_collapsible_container \" aria-live=\"polite\" data-customize-animation=\"false\"><h3 class=\"bu_collapsible\" aria-expanded=\"false\"tabindex=\"0\" role=\"button\">Travel medicine<\/h3><div class=\"bu_collapsible_section\" style=\"display: none;\"><\/strong><br \/>\nWe recommend reviewing the latest travel health guidance at <a href=\"https:\/\/wwwnc.cdc.gov\/travel\">cdc.gov\/travel<\/a>. For vaccines and individualized recommendations, please make an appointment with a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bmc.org\/infectious-diseases\/travel-clinic\">local travel clinic<\/a>. Connect with our referral coordinator on Patient Connect to get started.<\/p>\n<p><strong>If you\u2019re enrolled in SHIP, you must obtain a referral before using travel medicine services.<\/strong> Without a referral, your care might not be eligible for coverage, and higher out-of-pocket costs may apply.<\/p>\n<p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/p>\n<div class=\" bu-callout aligncenter\"><\/p>\n<h3>Blood Work &amp; Lab Tests<\/h3>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/shs\/about-us\/how-care-works\/lab-pharmacy\/\" class=\"button-secondary\">Learn about blood work and lab tests.<\/a><br \/>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Sometimes you might need medical services that SHS doesn\u2019t provide. In these circumstances, we can connect you with healthcare providers outside of BU. Finding medical care off-campus can feel overwhelming, but you don\u2019t have to do it alone\u2014our Referral Coordinator and Insurance experts can help. Why you might need a referral In general, you will [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1301,"featured_media":0,"parent":24,"menu_order":5,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/shs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/159"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/shs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/shs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/shs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1301"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/shs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=159"}],"version-history":[{"count":10,"href":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/shs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/159\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":3677,"href":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/shs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/159\/revisions\/3677"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/shs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/24"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/shs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=159"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}