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Health Care

If you are experiencing a life-threatening emergency or you are in immediate danger, call 911.

Schedule an Appointment

Please note, there is a No-Show Fee.  
  1. Have Syracuse University I.D. number and insurance information available.
  2. Call 315.443.8000 or schedule on the Patient Portal. (At this time drop-in services are not available.)
  3. Barnes Center staff will complete a triage process to determine level of care needed and location of care provided. A limited number of same-day appointments are available.

Health Care Services

The Barnes Center at The Arch health and wellness team includes physicians, physician assistants, nurse practitioners, nurses and other health care professionals who provide students a variety of confidential general health care services, or referrals, that include the following and more.

Health Care (Billing and Fees, Forms, Procedures)

The Barnes Center at The Arch health and wellness team is committed to providing students privacy within a confidential environment and experience.

Syracuse University Health Care Services is designated as a covered entity by the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 (FERPA) and as such is governed by the privacy and security regulations provided within the FERPA legislation. The Health Service Notice of Privacy Practices (NPP) is made in compliance with the Standards for Privacy of Individually Identifiable Health Information (the Privacy Standards) established by the United States Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) and summarizes the privacy practices of the Health Care Services at Syracuse University.

Treatment Records

Treatment Records, as defined by FERPA and its accompanying regulations (the Privacy Standards), is individually identifiable health information, including demographic information, that is created, received, transmitted or maintained by Health Care Services, regardless of form (oral, written or electronic), that relates to:

  • the past, present or future physical or mental health or condition of an individual;
  • the provision of health care services to an individual; or
  • the past, present or future payment for the provision of health care services to an individual.

Treatment records may include, but is not necessarily limited to, medical records, billing records, medical images, consultant reports, laboratory or other diagnostic testing results, and any other individually identifiable information.

Confidentiality of Records

All treatment records created, received, transmitted or maintained by Health Care Services is confidential and remains the property of Health Care Services. Confidentiality extends to treatment records in any medium, including information that is on paper, in the computer systems of Syracuse University or communicated verbally.

Employees may not divulge, copy, transfer, alter or destroy any treatment records, or remove any treatment records from Health Care Services, except as authorized by Health Care Services. Employees must hold in strictest confidence any and all access codes, passwords and/or authorizations provided by Health Care Services as an employee of Health Care Services.

Administrative Safeguards

Health Care Services has implemented appropriate administrative, technical and physical safeguards to protect the privacy of treatment records and to safeguard treatment records from any intentional or unintentional uses or disclosures that are in violation of the Privacy Standards and/or the policies and procedures of Health Care Services. Employees must strictly comply with all applicable federal and state laws and regulations, and all policies and procedures established by Health Care Services relating to the confidentiality and protection of treatment records.

Privacy Practices

NOTICE OF PRIVACY PRACTICES As Required by the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 (FERPA) Privacy Regulations

THIS NOTICE DESCRIBES HOW MEDICAL INFORMATION ABOUT YOU MAY BE USED AND DISCLOSED AND HOW YOU CAN GET ACCESS TO THIS INFORMATION.

Please review carefully.

A. Introduction

This Notice of Privacy Practices (NPP) is made in compliance with the Standards for Privacy of Individually Identifiable Health Information (the Privacy Standards) established by the United States Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) as required under the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 (FERPA). This NPP summarizes the privacy practices of the Health Care Services at Syracuse University (Health Care Services). The Privacy Standards shall control in the event of a discrepancy between this NPP and the Privacy Standards.

Health Care Services is required under FERPA to protect the privacy of your treatment records, as defined below, and to inform you, through this NPP, about:

  1. the duties of Health Care Services with respect to your treatment records;
  2. how Health Care Services may use and disclose your treatment records;
  3. your privacy rights with respect to your treatment records;
  4. your right to file a complaint with Health Care Services and with the Secretary of the DHHS; and
  5. who to contact for further information about the privacy practices of Health Care Services.

Treatment records, as defined by FERPA, includes individually identifiable information about you that is transmitted or maintained by Health Care Services, including demographic information, and includes information that is created or received by Health Care Services  that relates to:

  • your past, present or future physical or mental health or condition;
  • the provision of health care services to you; or
  • the past, present or future payment for the provision of health care services to you.

Health Care Services is required to abide by the terms of the NPP that is currently in effect for Health Care Services. Health Care Services reserves the right to revise or amend the terms of this NPP. Any revision or amendment to the NPP will be effective for all records that Health Care Services has created or maintained in the past, and for any of your records that Health Care Services may create or maintain in the future. You will be informed of any material changes made to our NPP. In addition, Health Care Services will post a copy of our most current NPP in our reception area at all times. You may also obtain a copy of our most current NPP at any time by asking for a copy at the time of your next visit, or by calling 315.443.8000.

If you have any questions about this NPP or would like further information about FERPA, please contact Syracuse University Barnes Center at The Arch, 150 Sims Drive, Syracuse, N.Y. 13244, or by calling 315.443.8000.

B. How Health Care Services May Use and Disclose Your Treatment Records

FERPA permits Health Care Services, its Business Associates, and their agents/subcontractors, if any, to use and/or disclose your treatment records, without prior authorization, for the purposes of treatment, payment and other health care services operations of Health Care Services, which are described below. Health Care Services will disclose your treatment records to its Business Associates only if it has received satisfactory assurances that its Business Associates will appropriately safeguard your treatment records. FERPA also permits Health Care Services to use and disclose your treatment records, without prior authorization, for other specific purposes that are also described below. For each category, we have provided a description and some examples of the permitted uses and/or disclosures. The following examples are illustrative and are not meant to be a complete description of the permitted uses and disclosures of Health Care Services.

  1. Treatment. Health Care Services may use and/or disclose your treatment records with other health care providers who are involved in your care and treatment. For example, Health Care Services may use or disclose treatment records about you to physicians, nurses, paraprofessionals, technicians or other Health Care Services personnel who are involved in your care and treatment. Many of the people that work for Health Care Services, including, but not limited to, our health care providers, may use or disclose your treatment records in order to treat you or to assist others in your care and treatment. We may also disclose treatment records about you to health care providers outside of our office who are involved in your care or treatment. For example, we may disclose your treatment records to a referring physician or a pharmacy for treatment purposes. We may also share your treatment records in order to coordinate services, such as laboratory work and/or X-rays.
  2. Payment. Health Care Services may use and/or disclose your treatment records in order to bill or to collect payment for services you have received from Health Care Services. For example, we may use or disclose treatment records to your health insurer or to another party responsible for payment in order to obtain payment, or to certify that you are eligible for benefits. We may also disclose to your insurer information about a treatment or service you may receive from Health Care Services in order to obtain prior approval for such service, or to determine whether your plan will cover the treatment or service.
  3. Health Care Operations. Health Care Services may use and/or disclose treatment records in order to conduct its normal business operations. For example, Health Care Services may use your treatment records to review the treatment and services it provided, to evaluate the performance of its staff in caring for you or to educate its staff on how to improve the care they provide to you. Health Care Services may also disclose your treatment records to another entity that performs business services on behalf of Health Care Services, such as billing companies, technology and software vendors, attorneys or external auditors. Prior to such disclosures, however, FERPA requires Health Care Services to sign a Business Associate Agreement with such entities to ensure the protection of your treatment records.
  4. Appointment Reminders/Follow-Up Telephone Calls/Emails. Health Care Services may use and/or disclose treatment records to contact you with a reminder that you have an appointment for treatment or medical care. Such contacts may include telephone messages and/or electronic mail messages. We may also call to follow up on care you received, to communicate test results or to confirm an appointment with Health Care Services or another health care provider.
  5. Individuals Involved in Your Care or Payment for Your Care. Subject to the Family Educational Rights in Privacy Act (FERPA), FERPA permits Health Care Services to disclose your treatment records to a family member, other relative or any other person identified by you, if:
  • you are present for, or otherwise available prior to the disclosure, and we have either obtained your agreement to the disclosure, provided you the opportunity to object to the disclosure, or Health Care Services has reasonably inferred from the circumstances that you do not object to the disclosures;
  • due to your incapacity or an emergency circumstance, Health Care Services has determined that a disclosure is in your best interest – in such circumstances, Health Care Services will only disclose treatment records that are directly relevant to the person’s involvement with your health care services.

6. Emergencies. Health Care Services may use and/or disclose treatment records to provide you with emergency treatment in emergency situations.

7. As Required by Law. Health Care Services may use and/or disclose your treatment records if we are required to do so under any federal, state or local law.

8. Public Health Risks. Health Care Services may use and/or disclose your treatment records to authorized public health officials (or a foreign government agency collaborating with such officials) so such officials may carry out public health activities. For example, Health Care Services may disclose your treatment records to public health officials for the following reasons:

  • to prevent or control disease, injury or disability;
  • to report vital events such as births and deaths;
  • to report abuse or neglect of children or adults;
  • to report quality, safety or effectiveness of FDA-regulated products or activities;
  • to notify people of product recalls they may be using;
  • to notify a person who may have been exposed to a communicable disease, or may be at risk for contracting or spreading a disease or condition; or
  • to your employer, if your employer hires us to provide you with a medical evaluation or to evaluate whether you have a work-related illness or injury that your employer must know about in order to comply with employment laws.

9. Victims of Abuse, Neglect or Domestic Violence. Health Care Services may disclose your treatment records to government authorities, including a social service or protective services agency, authorized by law to receive reports of abuse, neglect or domestic violence. For example, Health Care Services may report your treatment records to government officials if it reasonably believes that you have been a victim of abuse, neglect or domestic violence. Health Care Services will make every effort to obtain your permission before releasing this information, however, in some cases Health Care Services may be required or authorized to act without your permission.

10. Health Oversight Activities. Health Care Services may disclose your treatment records to a health oversight agency for activities authorized by law. These agencies typically monitor the operation of the health care system, government benefits programs and compliance with government regulatory programs. The oversight activities may include audits; civil, criminal or administrative investigations or actions; inspections; and/or licensure or disciplinary actions.

11. Lawsuits and Similar Proceedings. Health Care Services may use or disclose your treatment records in response to a court or administrative order, if you are involved in a lawsuit or similar proceeding. Health Care Services may also disclose your treatment records in response to a discovery request, subpoena or other lawful process that is not accompanied by an order of a court or administrative tribunal, but only if we have first received satisfactory assurances from the party requesting the information that reasonable efforts have been made to inform you of the request, or if Health Care Services has received satisfactory assurances that efforts have been made by the party seeking the information to obtain a qualified protective order. A qualified protective order is an order of a court or an administrative tribunal, or a stipulation by parties to the litigation that prohibits the parties from using or disclosing treatment records for any purpose other than the litigation or proceeding. A qualified protective order will require the return of treatment records to Health Care Services at the end of the litigation or proceeding.

12. Law Enforcement Purposes. Health Care Services may disclose your treatment records to law enforcement officials for the following reasons:

  • in response to court orders, warrants, subpoenas or summons, or similar legal process;
  • to assist law enforcement officials with identifying or locating a suspect, fugitive, material witness or missing person;
  • if you have been or are suspected of being a victim of a crime and you agree to the disclosure, or if we are unable to obtain your agreement because of incapacity or other emergency.
  • if we suspect that a death resulted from criminal conduct;
  • to report evidence of criminal conduct that occurred on our premises;
  • in response to a medical emergency, to report a crime (including the location or victims of the crime; or the identity, description or location of the person who committed the crime).

13. Coroners, Medical Examiners and Funeral Directors. Health Care Services may disclose your treatment records to a coroner or medical examiner for the purpose of identifying a deceased person, determining cause of death or other duties as authorized by law. Health Care Services may also release treatment records to funeral directors as necessary to carry out their duties.

14. Research. In most cases, Health Care Services will ask for your written authorization before using and/or disclosing your treatment records to conduct research. However, in limited circumstances we may use and/or disclose treatment records without authorization if: (i) the use or disclosure was approved by an Institutional Review Board or a Privacy Board; and (ii) we obtain representations from the researcher that the information is necessary for the research protocol, treatment records will not be removed from our practice and the information will be used solely for research purposes; or (iii) the treatment records sought by the researcher relates only to decedents and the researcher agrees that the use or disclosure is necessary for the research.

15. To Avert Serious Threat to Health or Safety. Health Care Services may use or disclose your treatment records when necessary to prevent or lessen a serious and imminent threat to your health or safety, or the health or safety of another person or the public. In such cases, Health Care Services will only share your treatment records with a person or persons reasonably able to prevent or lessen the threat, including the target of the threat; or if it is necessary for law enforcement authorities to identify or apprehend an individual.

16. Specialized Government Functions. Health Care Services may use and disclose treatment records regarding:

  • Military and veteran activities;
  • Intelligence, counter-intelligence and other national security activities authorized by law;
  • Protective services for the President, to foreign heads of state or to other persons authorized by law;
  • Inmates to a correctional institution or a law enforcement official having lawful custody of an inmate or other individual.

17. Workers' Compensation. Health Care Services may disclose your treatment records for workers' compensation or other similar programs that provide benefits for work-related injuries or illnesses. Except as otherwise indicated in this NPP, uses and disclosures for all other purposes will be made only with your written authorization. You may revoke any authorization at any time, provided that your revocation is done in writing, and except to the extent that Health Care Services has already relied upon your authorization.

C. Your Rights Regarding Your Treatment Records

FERPA provides you with the following rights regarding the treatment records we maintain about you:

  1. Right to Inspect and Copy. You have the right to civil, criminal or administrative action or proceeding; and treatment records maintained by Health Care Services that is subject to the Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments of 1988.

A "designated record set" is a group of records maintained by or for Health Care Services that is the medical records and billing records about you.

To inspect or obtain a copy of your treatment records contained in a designated record set, please submit a request in writing to Syracuse University Barnes Center at The Arch, 150 Sims Drive, Syracuse, N.Y. 13244. If you request a copy of your record set, we may charge a fee for the costs of copying, mailing or other supplies we use to fulfill your request. The standard fee is $0.75 per page and must generally be paid before or at the time we provide you with copies of your treatment records. Health Care Services will respond to your request for inspection of records within 10 days, and will respond to requests for copies within 30 days if the information is located within our facility. If Health Care Services needs additional time to respond to your request for copies, we will notify you in writing within the time frame above to explain the reason(s) for such delay and when you can expect to have a final answer to your request. Under certain circumstances, Health Care Services may deny your request to inspect or obtain a copy of your treatment records. If your request for inspection is denied, we will provide you with a written notice explaining our reasons for such denial, and will include a complete description of your rights to have the decision reviewed and how you can exercise those rights.

2. Right to Amend. You have the right to request that Health Care Services amend your treatment records or a record about you in a designated record set for as long as the information is kept by Health Care Services, if you feel that the treatment records Health Care Services has about you is incorrect or incomplete.

Health Care Services may deny your request for amendment if it determines that the treatment records or record that is the subject of the request:

  • was not created by Health Care Services, unless you provide a reasonable basis to believe that the originator of the treatment;
  • is not part of the designated record set;
  • would not be available for your inspection under the Privacy Standards (as described in Right to Inspect and Copy Section, above); or
  • is accurate and complete.

To request an amendment, your request must be made in writing and submitted to Syracuse University Barnes Center at The Arch, 150 Sims Drive, Syracuse, N.Y. 13244. In addition, your request should include the reasons(s) why you believe Health Care Services should amend your information.

Health Care Services will respond to your request for amendment no later than 60 days after the receipt of your request. If Health Care Services needs additional time to respond to your request, we will notify you in writing within 60 days to explain the reason(s) for the delay and the date by which we will complete your request.

If Health Care Services denies your request for an amendment, we will provide you with a written notice of the denial that explains the reasons for doing so. You will have the right to submit a written statement disagreeing with the denial. You will also be informed of how to file a complaint with Health Care Services or with the Secretary of the DHHS. These procedures will be explained in greater detail in any written denial notice.

3. Right to an Accounting of Disclosures. You have a right to request an “accounting of disclosures” which identifies certain disclosures of your health information made within the six years prior to your request. An accounting of disclosures does not include all disclosures of your health information outside of the Barnes Center. Notably, an accounting of disclosures does not include information about the following disclosures:

  • Disclosures to carry out treatment, payment and health care services operations;
  • Disclosures made to you;
  • Disclosures made pursuant to your authorization;
  • Disclosures made in a facility directory or to persons involved in your care;
  • Disclosures for national security or intelligence purposes;
  • Disclosures to correctional institutions or law enforcement officials; or
  • Disclosures made before Monday, April 14, 2003.

The accounting of disclosures will be in a format that is consistent with the requirements of the Privacy Standards. To request an accounting of disclosures, you must submit your request in writing to: Syracuse University Barnes Center at The Arch, 150 Sims Drive, Syracuse, N.Y. 13244. Your request must include a time period of requested disclosures, which may not be longer than six years and may not include dates before Monday, April 14, 2003. The first list you request within a 12-month period will be free. Additional lists within the same 12-month period will be assessed a charge for the costs of providing the list. Health Care Services will notify you of the cost involved, at which time you may choose to withdraw or modify your request before any costs are incurred.

Health Care Services will respond to your request for an accounting of disclosures within 60 days from the receipt of such request. If Health Care Services needs additional time to prepare the accounting, we will notify you in writing within 60 days about the reason for the delay and provide you with the date when you can expect to receive the accounting.

4. Right to Request Restrictions. You have the right to request a restriction or limitation on the treatment records Health Care Services uses or discloses about you for treatment, payment or health care services operations. You also have the right to request a limit on the medical information that Health Care Services discloses about you to someone who is involved in your care, like a family member, relative, friend or other person(s) identified by you.

Health Care Services is not required to agree to your request for restrictions. If Health Care Services does agree to a requested restriction, Health Care Services may not use or disclose treatment records in violation of such restriction, unless the information is needed to provide you with emergency care or treatment, or as otherwise required by law. Under certain circumstances Health Care Services may terminate its agreement to a restriction.

To request restrictions, you must make your request in writing to:  Syracuse University Barnes Center at The Arch, 150 Sims Drive, Syracuse, N.Y. 13244. In your request, you must tell us (1) what information you want to limit; (2) whether you want to limit our use, disclosure or both; and (3) to whom you want the limits to apply, for example, disclosures to your spouse.

5. Right to Request Confidential Communications. You have the right to request that Health Care Services communicate with you and your treatment records in a certain way or at a certain location. For example, you can ask that Health Care Services only contact you at work or by mail.

Health Care Services will not ask you the reason for your request, and will accommodate all reasonable requests. Your request must specify how or where you wish to be contacted, and how payment for health care services will be handled if Health Care Services communicates with you through this alternative method or location. To request confidential communications, you must make your request in writing to: Syracuse University Barnes Center at The Arch, 150 Sims Drive, Syracuse, N.Y. 13244.

6. Right to Receive a Paper Copy of This NPP. You have the right to receive a paper copy of this NPP. You may ask us to give you a copy of this NPP at any time. Even if you have agreed to receive this NPP electronically, you are still entitled to a paper copy of this NPP. To obtain a paper copy of this, please ask any of our staff members at Health Care Services.

D. Complaints

If you believe your privacy rights have been violated, you may file a complaint with Health Care Services and/or with the Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services. To file a complaint with Health Care Services, please submit a written complaint to: Syracuse University Barnes Center at The Arch, 150 Sims Drive, Syracuse, N.Y. 13244. The submission of a complaint to Health Care Services or to the Secretary of the United States Department of Health and Human Services will not affect your status as a patient Health Care Services. You will not be retaliated against for filing a complaint.

E. Contact Person

If you have any questions about this Notice of Privacy Practices, please contact: Syracuse University Barnes Center at The Arch, 150 Sims Drive, Syracuse, N.Y. 13244, or by calling 315.443.8000.

Parents

Parents are welcome to call 315.443.8000 or visit the Barnes Center at The Arch with questions or concerns. Please understand that we cannot discuss your student’s health care information (including whether or not the student has even visited the Barnes Center at The Arch) without the student’s expressed consent.

For a complete list, please visit the Syracuse University Policies site. For questions or additional information, please email the Barnes Center at The Arch or call 315.443.8000.

Barnes Center at The Arch Health Care does not issue excuse notes or medical excuses requested by patients/students. Doing so creates an undesirable climate for health care professionals and disempowers students. Responsibility for class attendance and completion of assignments rests primarily with the students, who assumes responsibility by communicating directly with faculty.

In cases where students are absent from class for an extended period of time (48 hours or more), Health Care will work with the University to send absence notifications to faculty. If an illness lasts less than 48 hours, the student should discuss academic arrangements directly with their faculty.

In general, the following conditions will not warrant an absence notification regardless of duration:

  • Verification of illness after the illness is over.
  • Verification of an illness diagnosed or treated by another provider.
  • A respiratory infection without significant fever.
  • Gastroenteritis such as vomiting/diarrhea, unless there is a fever and/or severe dehydration.
  • Musculoskeletal conditions which do not prevent ambulation, such as minor ankle injuries, wrist sprains, etc.

Students are encouraged to communicate directly with faculty regarding class attendance and/or completion of class assignments when the illness or injury does not meet the criteria outlined above.

The Attendance Policy including Absence Notification may be found under the Office of the Provost, Header - Important Syllabus Reminders.

For a complete list please visit the Syracuse University Policies site. For questions or additional information, please email the Barnes Center at The Arch, or call 315.443.8000.

Health Care direct bills a select number of insurance companies. You will be responsible for any copays (set amount paid by patient at time of visit), coinsurances (percentage of the bill a patient is responsible for), deductibles (amount patient pays out of pocket one time per year before insurance pays) and any non-covered service under the insurance plan. Please refer to the back of your insurance card or your policy information, this does not guarantee payment. Payment will depend on your insurance policy’s coverage.

For a complete list please visit the Syracuse University Policies site. For questions or additional information, please email the Barnes Center at The Arch, or call 315.443.8000.

Learn more on the Immunizations webpage.

Patient Privacy and Rights

The mission of the Barnes Center at The Arch is to provide compassionate, quality, student centered health care, foster a concept of lifelong wellness and provide leadership in the field of college health. The Barnes Center at The Arch recognizes that to accomplish this goal, there must be an effective collaboration between our staff, our policies, our priorities and you, our student-patients.

You Have the Right To

  • Receive considerate and respectful care without discrimination as to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability or sexual orientation.
  • Play an active role in the decisions about your health care and treatment, except when such participation is contraindicated for medical reasons.
  • Receive complete information about your diagnosis, treatment and prognosis.
  • Receive all the information that you need to give informed consent for any proposed procedure or treatment. Such information shall include the possible risk and benefits of the procedure or treatment.
  • A listing of services available at the Barnes Center.
  • Information about provisions for after-hours care and emergency care.
  • Be informed about fees and charges associated with your care at the Barnes Center and to be informed of our payment policies.
  • Refuse to participate in experimental research.
  • Review the contents of your medical records with a health care provider without charge.
  • Understand what medication(s) is given and why, and to understand the common side effects of a medication.
  • Not be examined or treated by a particular health care practitioner, to be informed of the consequences of such decisions and to request a second opinion if you want one.
  • Know what the treatment will be and what risks are involved, and to know what to expect as a result of treatment.
  • Refuse treatment and be told what effect this may have on your health.
  • Express your concerns without fear of reprisal about the care and services you are receiving and any concerns about privacy, and to have the Barnes Center respond to you and, if you request it, a written response.
  • Get the name, title and credentials of the person(s) interviewing, examining and/or treating you.
  • Be assured of the confidential treatment of your protected health information and to have the opportunity to authorize the release of such information under certain circumstances, except when required by law.
  • Inspect and/or receive a copy of your protected health information for as long as the Barnes Center maintains the record, to the extent permitted by law.
  • Request that the Barnes Center amend your protected health information for as long as the information is kept by the Barnes Center if you feel that the protected health information the Barnes Center has about you is incorrect or incomplete.
  • Request an accounting of disclosures, which is a list of disclosures the Barnes Center has made regarding your treatment record, to the extent that the Barnes Center is required under FERPA to list such disclosures.
  • Request a restriction or limitation on the protected health information that the Barnes Center uses or discloses about you for treatment, payment or health care operations.
  • Receive a paper copy of the Barnes Center Notice of Privacy Practices.
  • Be provided with appropriate information regarding the absence of malpractice insurance coverage.
  • Request confidential communication and/or consultation with your provider or any other persons.
  • Privacy in treatment and confidentiality in the treatment of personal and medical records.
  • Request accurate communication in the language or manner that you primarily use. When the need arises for translation, reasonable attempts will be made by staff to make accommodations.
  • Request to be communicated to in your preferred language or manner.

You Have the Responsibility To

  • Provide the Barnes Center with accurate information about your current and past illnesses, immunization, medications and hospitalizations.
  • Provide the Barnes Center with full and honest information about your health concerns to facilitate proper evaluation and treatment.
  • Ask questions if you do not understand the findings, instructions or treatment.
  • Either carry out treatment and education recommendations, or accept responsibility for the outcome.
  • Communicate with your health care provider if your condition does not follow the expected course.
  • Become informed through available printed material and/or discussion with the Barnes Center staff about the scope of the basic services offered, their cost and the necessity for additional medical insurance.
  • Keep appointments or, if you need to cancel or re-schedule, contact the Barnes Center as soon as possible to avoid a fee.
  • Be respectful of others and others’ property while in the Barnes Center facility.

A student wishing to take a medical leave of absence must first discuss this request with Student Outreach and Support. To contact, please email Student Outreach and Support  or call 315.443.4357 (HELP).

Student Outreach and Support will notify Barnes Center at The Arch Health Care of the student’s request to take a medical leave of absence. Additionally, a form that will include the information below from Health Care will be emailed to the student’s @syr.edu email account.

Request for Medical Leave of Absence

In order to take a medical leave of absence from Syracuse University, the completed Request for Medical Leave of Absence Form, along with documentation* from your licensed health care provider, must be submitted to Health Care and approved by the Medical Director or appropriate designee.

The completed form from your licensed health care provider must be received within thirty (30) days of the date of your departure and should include the following information.

  • A medical diagnosis.
  • Confirmation of diagnosis and its severity must be provided. Confirmation may include relevant progress notes, diagnostic tests and/or treatment.
  • Describe the impact on academic performance if the medical leave is not granted.
  • In the provider’s medical opinion, is a medical leave of absence required, and if so, explained in detail.
  • Is the condition permanent or cyclical.
  • The anticipated recovery time for the diagnosis.
  • The date of last scheduled visit.
  • The length of time that the provider has been treating the medical condition.

Once Health Care has received the completed form, the student will be notified in writing as to whether the medical leave of absence has been approved, denied or if additional documentation is needed. Important note: The date that a student makes the request to the University for medical leave of absence will be the effective date of the medical leave of absence. Any request for medical leave of absence made after the withdraw deadline will result in the student receiving failing grades (e.g. letter grade of F) unless there are extenuating circumstances as reviewed and deemed as such by appropriate health and wellness designee.

Readmission to the University

Should the student wish to return to Syracuse University after taking a medical leave of absence, Health Care will need additional documentation* from the student’s licensed health care provider. Return to Syracuse University must also be approved by the Medical Director or appropriate designee.

The documentation from the student’s licensed health care provider should be a summary letter which includes the following information.

  • A statement that the student is cleared to return to Syracuse University without any restrictions.
  • Provided date that the student is able to return to classes.
  • The summary letter must be on office letterhead and must be signed by the student’s licensed health care provider.

Once Health Care has received the documentation and the return from a medical leave of absence has been approved, the student will be contacted by Student Outreach and Support.

International Students: Are asked to please begin the return from medical leave of absence process as soon as the student’s medical provider feels appropriate, in advance of the deadlines below to ensure sufficient time for a new I-20 to be processed. Please contact the Center for International Services to discuss any questions/concerns regarding international student status and I-20.

Readmission Deadlines

Please take note of the deadlines below. Failure to meet a deadline may result in return to Syracuse University being postponed until the following semester. Additionally, it is the student’s responsibility to contact their home school/college for specific academic requirements regarding re-enrollment.

  • Readmission for the Fall: Supporting documents to Health Care by Aug. 1.
  • Readmission for the Spring: Supporting documents to Health Care by Dec. 15.
  • Readmission for the Summer: Supporting documents to Health Care by April 15.

    Submitting Documentation

    *Documentation and the completed Request for Medical Leave of Absence Form from your licensed health care provider should be faxed to 315.443.2841 or mailed to the following address.

    Syracuse University
    Barnes Center at The Arch
    Attn: Hannah Mazzoni
    150 Sims Drive, Suite 201
    Syracuse, N.Y. 13244

    Questions

    Certain medical and counseling appointments may be available through a secure and confidential telecommunication system. Telehealth may also be limited to patients located within New York State. Please note that health screening communications, wherein providers gather health information from and about you, are not considered telehealth appointments and no treatment will be administered.

    • No-Show Fee: A $25-$50 No-Show Fee will be applied to student accounts of those who fail to cancel or reschedule by calling 315.443.8000  or virtually through the Patient Portal, at least one hour prior to Health Care, Nutrition or Counseling appointments. This provides the opportunity for another student to utilize the appointment.
    • Prior to services being performed, individuals may inquire about the cost of treatment with the provider/nurse.
    • Regardless of health insurance, Syracuse University students are welcome at the Barnes Center. Office visits are not billed and are covered by the Health and Wellness fee for full-time matriculated students. Health Care is able to direct bill Aetna, Blue Cross/Blue Shield and POMCO Select. Students with other types of insurance can use their office statements to submit for possible reimbursement to their insurance company.
    • Summer Months Billing: A Health and Wellness Fee is not charged during the summer months (following commencement and before the first day of classes). Eligible students (those who paid the previous Spring Semester Health and Wellness Fee and will continue on as a full-time, in-person student for the approaching Fall Semester) may pay for care on a fee for service basis during the summer. Depending on the nature of the visit, summer Health Care visit fees may range from $25-$50, in addition to charges for laboratory testing, procedures, medical supplies and more.

    • Individuals are responsible for all incurred charges.
    • Charges may be sent to the student’s Bursar account or be paid at the time of service with check, cash or credit card.
    • Upon request, individuals may obtain an itemized receipt to submit to their insurance company for possible reimbursement.

    Students may access charge details and/or retrieve an itemized receipt through the following actions.

    • Logging into the Patient Portal and clicking on the "Statements" tab.
    • Contacting the Barnes Center at The Arch Medical Records Office by calling 315.443.2667.

    You have the right to receive a “Good Faith Estimate” explaining how much your health care will cost. Under the law, health care providers need to give patients who don’t have certain types of health care coverage or who are not using certain types of health care coverage an estimate of their bill for health care items and services before those items or services are provided.

    • You have the right to receive a Good Faith Estimate for the total expected cost of any health care items or services upon request or when scheduling such items or services. This includes related costs like medical tests, prescription drugs, equipment and hospital fees.
    • If you schedule a health care item or service at least three business days in advance, make sure your health care provider or facility gives you a Good Faith Estimate in writing within one business day after scheduling.
    • If you schedule a health care item or service at least 10 business days in advance, make sure your health care provider or facility gives you a Good Faith Estimate in writing within three business days after scheduling.
    • You can also ask any health care provider or facility for a Good Faith Estimate before you schedule an item or service. If you do, make sure the health care provider or facility gives you a Good Faith Estimate in writing within three business days after you ask.
    • If you receive a bill that is at least $400 more for any provider or facility than your Good Faith Estimate from that provider or facility, you can dispute the bill.
    • Make sure to save a copy or picture of your Good Faith Estimate and the bill.

    For questions or more information about your right to a Good Faith Estimate, visit the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services website, email FederalPPDRQuestions@cms.hhs.gov or call 1.800.985.3059.

    Learn more on the About webpage.