Before you arrive on campus, you must complete your required immunizations and determine whether you will enroll in the University’s health insurance plan. Below you will find information about completing your immunizations and information on how you can waive the University’s health insurance plan, if you already have one that meets our standards.
Immunizations
To ensure your own health and safety, as well as the health and safety of those around you, your required immunizations and titers must be completed prior to your first academic term. The easiest way to become compliant with MCPHS and state immunization requirements is to complete your immunizations through your primary care provider before you arrive at school.
To track your immunization records and compliance, the University works with CastleBranch, a confidential health information service. MCPHS will send you an email with instructions on how to set up an account with CastleBranch. Once you successfully create your profile, you will be prompted to upload the completed form.
Please be aware of the following:
- You will pay a one-time fee of $25 to CastleBranch to create your CastleBranch account. Instructions about payment will be provided on the payment step of the online order process. You will have direct access to your account to monitor your own personal immunization compliance in conjunction with the company's tracking.
- It is strongly recommended that you save a copy of your completed immunization form and your immunization records. Should any compliance questions arise, it is important to have your records immediately accessible to you.
- Students who are not compliant with University immunization requirements may be subject to administrative withdrawal from MCPHS.
- Authorized officials at MCPHS have access to student immunization records in order to monitor compliance.
Any questions about immunization records or requirements should be directed to CastleBranch at customerservice@castlebranch.com or 888.723.4263. All immunization information must be received by CastleBranch by April 15 for summer enrollment and July 15 for fall enrollment.
If you have any questions about this process, please contact Pat Ramsay, Director of Student Compliance, at 617.735.1105 or patricia.ramsay@mcphs.edu.
Please note: Students who are not in compliance with the MCPHS and state immunization requirements before the start of classes may not be allowed to move into MCPHS-sponsored housing. Additionally, failure to comply may result in a delay in your beginning classes and a hold being placed on your student account.
Health insurance
According to the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and MCPHS policy, all students (regardless of enrollment) must be covered by a comprehensive health insurance program. The University makes available a general policy, provided by an independent insurance carrier, which meets these standards. Students will be automatically enrolled in this plan unless a waiver (which must be renewed annually) is completed and received by Student Financial Services.The health insurance waiver form will be available at the following times:
- Fall incoming students – June
- Spring incoming students – November
- Summer in coming students – April
To fill out the waiver, visit www.universityhealthplans.com. If you need assistance, please call 1.800.437.6448.
All international students must enroll in the plan with the exception of:
- Those international students whose sponsoring institutions have a signed agreement with MCPHS that complies with the University’s health insurance waiver requirements.
- International students with a plan for which their health insurance company’s primary home office is based in the United States AND the policy provides comparable coverage to the University's student health insurance plan.
International students who do not fall under conditions 1 or 2 above MUST purchase the University’s student health insurance plan and therefore are not eligible for a waiver.