FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
I don’t have health insurance – can I still
be seen at COC’s health center?
Yes. The Health center does not bill insurance for
any office visit. You must however, be a currently enrolled student
to get care at the health center.
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Do I have to pay for my visit?
No. All
office visits are free of charge for students.
We charge a small fee for pregnancy tests, condoms (12 for $2), lab charges, prescription medications,
somr
immunizations. Contact
the office about specific charges.
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What
about birth control pills?
You may qualify for free birth
control through the Family PACT clinic at the health center. This
program also offers free laboratory tests and antibiotics. Stop by
S-122 to see if you might qualify. We also have applications for
Medi-Cal, Healthy Family and optional group student insurance plans. Stop by S-122 to see if you might qualify.
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What can I do if I think I’m pregnant?
Come in and get a pregnancy test to know for sure.
There is a $6 charge. If your test is positive we can give you
referrals to outside sources for care. If the test is negative, we
have valuable information about family planning and birth control
options.
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Do you have the “morning after pill”?
The Student Health & Wellness Center has Plan B
emergency contraceptive therapy (E.C.T.), also known as the “morning
after pill”. If you had unprotected sex within the past five days
(best if taken within 72 hours), you can take morning after pills.
There is a small charge for the medication. If you are pregnant, the
medication will not work. Call the nationwide toll free number
1-888-NOT2LATE if you are away from campus and need assistance
finding a provider of E.C.T.
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Are abortion pills the same as the “morning
after” pill?
No. The “morning after” pill is designed to prevent
pregnancy by preventing ovulation like oral contraceptive pills do,
or by changing the lining of the uterus so a fertilized egg cannot
attach. It does not terminate a pregnancy.
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Can I lie down and catch a
few Z’s at the health center?
Unfortunately no. The Student Health & Wellness
Center is not an infirmary equipped with a place for students to
just rest. We are here to give short-term care to sick students.
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Is there a psychologist on staff?
Yes. The Student Health & Wellness Center has
licensed clinical psychologists on staff for individual, couples or
group mental health counseling. The focus is short-term counseling
with referrals to community agencies if long-term treatment is
needed. These sessions are scheduled by appointment and are FREE!
Each student is allowed 6 visits per semester.
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Can I get a Band-Aid?
Definitely! A self-care center at our front desk gives you access to many
free over-the-counter supplies and medications at the Student Health
& Wellness Center.
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Do you screen for and treat STD’s?
We offer low or no cost screening for HIV and other
STD’s at the health center. Depending on the test, results are
available in 2 to 7 days after the test. We have free urine
testing for chlamydia and gonorrhea, free health education and free
medication for people who test positive and their partners. You
might be eligible for other free tests and treatment through our
Family PACT clinic- stop by the office at S-122 to find out if you
qualify. We will help you to apply for Medi-Cal, Healthy Family, or
Family PACT at the health center.
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Can I
get prescription drugs at the health
center?
For currently enrolled students we can dispense
some antibiotics, anti-inflammatory medications, acne medications,
oral contraceptives, allergy medications, and
anti-depressants. We give prescriptions for other
medications to fill at pharmacies off campus if we do not have the
medication. Our focus is short-term
acute care. We do not prescribe or keep controlled drugs (narcotics,
ADD medication, etc.) at the health center.
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Do
you offer nutrition or dietitian services?
Currently enrolled students can schedule an
appointment with our Registered Dietitian by calling 661-362-3259.
You can also access information on-line.
We sponsor a peer nutrition educator group (SNAC) and our
nutritionist teaches a 2 unit CSU-transferable class HLHSCI 149 – Nutrition
for Fitness and Balanced Living each semester.
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Can I
get immunizations at the health center?
We are a federal vaccines for Children (VFC)
provider, and offer the following vaccines free to currently
enrolled students 18 years old and younger: Gardasil HPV vaccine,
Measles-Mumps-Rubella (MMR) and Tetanus-diptheria-pertussis (Tdap)
vaccine. Enrolled students 19 years and older can get MMR, Tdap,
vaccines at a reduced cost, please call
661-362-3259 for more info. We charge
$5 for TB skin tests. Hepatitis A and B, meningitis, and typhoid
vaccines are offered at reduced cost – call 661-362-3259 to ask
about specific vaccinations.
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Can you
help me quit smoking or chewing tobacco?
We have a smoking cessation counselor, can offer
medications to ease cravings and periodically offer tobacco
cessation groups. For online assistance check this website:
www.californiasmokershelpline.org.
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