Frequently Asked Questions: Medical Requirements for Incoming Students

Which students are required to submit immunization records to SMC?

• All incoming first-year undergraduate students and any other students (undergraduate or graduate) living in campus housing must submit documentation of their required immunizations to be eligible to move into the residence halls.

How do I upload my immunization records required for incoming first-year students and others living in campus housing?

• Submit a copy of your immunization record to  Med+Proctor , a FERPA & HIPAA compliant third-party immunization verification service, so that your required immunizations can be verified.  You will need to register for a new account using your SMC email. See specific questions about Med+Proctor in its FAQ section below.

What immunizations are required?

• There are 3 required immunizations:
  • Meningococcal (ACWY): Required for all students 21 years of age or younger. Must include one dose on or after age 16.
  • MMR (Measles, Mumps, and Rubella): two doses or positive MMR titer documenting immunity.
  • Tdap (Tetanus, Diphtheria, and Pertussis): one dose within the last 10 years.
• We highly recommend you upload your complete immunization record (not just those required), as others may be required for potential SMC-related travel.

When are they due?

• Documentation of your required immunizations should be uploaded to Med+Proctor by July 15 so that we can verify students’ compliance before moving into campus housing.

Should I only upload those immunization records, or is it best to upload my entire vaccine record?

• We encourage students to upload their entire immunization record, including childhood or recent immunizations that the school does not require for matriculation. This can come in handy if/when students apply to travel abroad for a Jan Term class or for a semester abroad – many extra vaccines are required for international travel forms to be signed.

What if I can’t get an appointment for one of the vaccines until AFTER July 15, when they are due?

• Just upload documentation as soon as you get it and make sure to bring it with you on move-in day.

What if I can’t get a vaccine due to medical contraindications or other reasons?

• You can use Med+Proctor’s help desk or live chat to request an exemption form to be signed by your healthcare provider.

Can I get my missing required vaccines at the Student Health Center? Otherwise, where do I get them?

• Unfortunately, no. The required vaccines must be acquired prior to moving into residential housing on the SMC campus. You can get your vaccines through your primary care provider or through many urgent care centers or pharmacies like Safeway , Rite Aid, CVS or Walgreens. Local pharmacy options where immunizations can be obtained can be found here. 

How do I find a copy of my childhood vaccines?

• Contact your pediatrician or medical provider to get a copy of your immunization record. Often these records are downloadable from your provider’s patient portal, otherwise you might need to submit a formal request for them.
• If you were vaccinated in California, you can access your Digital Vaccine Record (DVR) through the California Immunization Registry (CAIR).
• If you received your immunizations outside of California, check if your state has an Immunization Registry where you could access your records.
• Contact parents/guardians or other family to see if they have a record of your childhood vaccines.
• Contact previous schools to see if they have records of your vaccines.
• If you were in the military, you can obtain your immunization records through the National Archives).

What if I absolutely cannot find my vaccine records?

• You can usually track them down by following the above advice, but if you are certain your records are unobtainable, you could have your healthcare provider order a blood test (called a titer) to see if you show evidence of immunity to measles, mumps and rebella. Positive titers for measles, mumps and rebella could be submitted in lieu of vaccine records.
• There is no equivalent for meningitis ACWY or Tdap, however, so if you cannot obtain your vaccine records, you must get these vaccines and show documentation of doing so.

Why am I being told I am missing vaccines that I clearly uploaded documentation of?

• Most likely, this has to do with the timing or type of your vaccines.
• MMR (measles/mumps/rubella): The first MMR vaccine must be given AFTER your first birthday, and the second must be given AT LEAST 1 year after that. Vaccines given too early will not be counted. You will be required to get another MMR shot if this is the case, to make sure you are adequately protected against measles, mumps and rubella.
• MENINGITIS ACWY: A dose of this vaccine must have been given ON/AFTER your 16th birthday. This vaccine is often given around age 12 and again at age 16 for coverage during typical college years. Check the date of your vaccine(s) to make sure at least one was given after your 16th birthday. Students 22 year old or older are encouraged but not required to submit documentation of this vaccine.
• Saint Mary’s requires the meningitis ACWY vaccine (also called the quadivalent meningococcal vaccine – examples of brand names are Menveo, Menactra or MenQuadfi). This is different from the meningitis B vaccine, which is highly recommended, but not required.
• Tdap (Tetanus/diphtheria/pertussis): A Tdap booster WITHIN the past 10 years is required. If it has been
  longer than this since you received your last booster, a new one is required.

How do I complete the tuberculosis screening required for incoming first-year students and others living in campus housing?

• Your tuberculosis screening will occur automatically upon registering with  Med+Proctor . Follow-up testing may be needed following this screening. Med+Proctor will notify you if this is the case. 
• To create a new account, go to Med+Proctor and select Saint Mary’s College of California as your school or organization. Then you will be taken to a new screen to either sign in or create a new account. If you have not yet created a Med+Proctor account, check the box next to “I don’t have a user account yet.” Then use your SMC email to create an account.

Does everyone need to be tested for tuberculosis? What’s the difference between a test and a screen?

• Most students will NOT need to be tested for tuberculosis. Only people at higher risk of being infected with tuberculosis (as determined by answering screening questions) need to be tested. These people will be told they need to present tuberculosis test results after they answer screening questions.
• Testing is required for students born in, or who resided in countries with a high burden of tuberculosis for more than 1 month. This includes most countries outside of the United States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, or Northern or Western Europe. One negative test after leaving that country is usually sufficient if you otherwise screen negative for tuberculosis risk factors.
• Testing is also required for students with a history of long-term residence or employment at high risk facilities (correctional facilities, long-term care facilities, nursing homes, or homeless shelters). A negative test anytime after this residence or employment is sufficient as long as you otherwise screen negative for tuberculosis risk factors.

What do I do if my tuberculosis screen is positive?

• People at higher risk of being infected with tuberculosis (those with a positive TB screen) need to get tested (usually with a blood test) to see if they have active (contagious with symptoms) or latent disease. Those with latent disease do not currently have active tuberculosis, but have a dormant form of the disease which could become active/contagious in the future. Test results need to be submitted and reviewed on Med+Proctor. If negative, nothing further needs to be done. If positive, documentation of treatment plan (and eventual treatment completion) must be submitted for review. 
• Those who have been treated for active or latent TB will need to provide documentation of completed treatment for the disease and they must screen negative for symptoms of active TB.

How do I get tested for tuberculosis if required?

• There are two types of TB tests: the TB skin test and the TB blood test. TB blood tests are the preferred method for testing as it is more specific (accurate with fewer false positive results) and only requires a single trip to the laboratory. TB blood tests are also recommended for those who have received the BCG vaccine. 
• You can schedule a TB blood test (or skin test) through your healthcare provider or state or local health department. Once you get the results, you just need to upload them to Med+Proctor for review. TB blood tests can be drawn at the Student Health Center if your health insurance contracts with either Quest or LabCorp (external lab companies). Students with MediCal coverage, Kaiser, Sutter, or other HMO insurances will need to have their tests ordered by their regular medical providers.

How do I create a Med+Proctor account to upload my required immunization records and complete my tuberculosis screening form?

• To create a new account, go to Med+Proctor and select Saint Mary’s College of California as your school or organization. Then you will be taken to a new screen to either sign in or create a new account. If you have not yet created a Med+Proctor account, check the box next to “I don’t have a user account yet.” Then use your SMC email to create an account.

I’m having trouble creating a Med+Proctor account? What can I do?

• You must use your SMC email address to create an account. Try using Chrome as your web browser for this process.
• If you’re still having trouble, email help@medproctor.com with your issue. If you STILL have issues after that, call or email us at 925-631-4254 or healthcenter@stmarys-ca.edu

Why do I have to pay to submit my immunization records to Med+Proctor? I was told it’s free.

• You do NOT need to pay to upload your immunization records to Med+Proctor – Saint Mary’s covers this cost for you. Look for the greyed out button to submit your records, rather than the green button to expedite your record review (if given that option).

Why is Med+Proctor not accepting my meningitis vaccine?

• Saint Mary’s requires the meningitis ACWY vaccine (also called the quadrivalent meningococcal vaccine – examples of brand names are Menveo, Menactra or MenQuadfi). This is different from the meningitis B vaccine, which is highly recommended, but not required.
• Additionally, this vaccine (or a booster) must be administered on or after a student’s 16th birthday. If you received it before then, a booster will be required.

Other specific FAQs related to Med+Proctor can be found here!

Which students have to show evidence of health insurance coverage?

• Domestic Undergraduate students: All full-time domestic undergraduate students need to prove health insurance coverage EVERY YEAR while at Saint Mary’s or they will be automatically enrolled in and charged for the school’s plan.
• International Undergraduate Students: All international undergraduate students will automatically be enrolled in the school’s health insurance plan regardless of other health insurance coverage.
• International Graduate students: International graduate or professional students will be automatically enrolled in the school’s insurance plan UNLESS they can prove active coverage by an existing, U.S.-based medical insurance plan that is comparable to the Saint Mary's plan.

Why do I have to have health insurance?

• Good health is essential to academic success and untreated medical issues and/or unexpected medical bills can threaten your ability to complete your education should you be uninsured or have inadequate coverage.
• In an effort to ensure students’ physical and financial health, Saint Mary’s College of California requires all full-time undergraduate students and all registered International Graduate students to show proof of health insurance coverage.

Which students can enroll in the school’s health insurance plan?

• Only full-time undergraduate students (domestic and international) and international graduate/professional students are eligible for the school’s health insurance plan.

What are my other options for health insurance if I don’t want the school’s offered plan?

• Many students remain on their parents’/guardians’ health insurance plans until they turn 26. Others may enroll in coverage through their work, if applicable, or utilize Covered California, California’s health insurance exchange program, to find and purchase coverage, including MediCal, if eligible. Other states have their own health insurance exchanges or enable access to the federal exchange. People may also apply for private insurance directly with insurance companies.

How do I waive the school’s health insurance if I already have my own coverage?

• You can waive the school’s insurance here: studentcenter.uhcsr.com/stmarys-ca

What if I don’t waive or enroll in the school’s health insurance plan?

• All full-time undergraduate students and international graduate students who do not waive by August 15 or who do not actively enroll in the plan will be automatically enrolled in the student plan and sent instructions on how to access their account and insurance card on September 22. Their coverage, however, will be retro-effective to August 1st.
• Students can actively enroll in the plan starting August 1st to access their accounts and download their insurance cards if healthcare is needed prior to September 22. 

Can I still be seen at the SMC Student Health Center if I don’t have the school’s insurance?

• Yes! No insurance is required to be seen at the Student Health Center on campus.

What if I need to use the school’s insurance? How do I get my card?

• If you are already enrolled, you can access your account here.
• Full-time undergraduate and international graduate students can actively enroll in the plan starting August 1st to access their accounts and download their insurance cards if healthcare is needed prior to September 22. Those who do not waive by August 15 or who do not actively enroll in the plan will be automatically enrolled in the student plan and sent instructions on how to access their account and insurance card on September 22. Their coverage, however, will be retro-effective to August 1st.

How much does the insurance cost?

• Undergraduate Student Cost & Billing Cycle
  $2,465 USD will be billed to the student account during the student's first semester at Saint Mary's and during each fall semester after that unless you complete a waiver.
• Coverage Dates
  For students beginning in Fall: August 01 to July 31
  For students beginning in Spring: February 01 to July 31 (cost $1,225)
• Graduate & Professional Students Cost & Billing Cycle
  $4,019 USD will be billed during the student's first term at Saint Mary's and during each fall semester or
  autumn quarter after that.
• Coverage Dates
  For students beginning in Summer: July 01 to June 30 ($4,019.00)
  For students beginning in Autumn: October 01 to June 30 ($2,998.00)
  For students beginning in Winter: January 01 to June 30 ($1,995.00)
  For students beginning in Spring: April 01 to June 30 ($1,006.00)

How do I get charged?

• Your student account will be charged.

What if I originally waived the school insurance when I had other insurance, but lost that coverage and need to apply for the school’s insurance?

• If it is still prior to the waiver deadline, August 15th, contact the Student Health Center at 925-631-4254 to assist you in deactivating your waiver and enrolling in the school’s plan.
• If the waiver/enrollment period has passed, reach out to sidhelp@uhcsr.com and they will assist with providing the student with their pro-rated rate and their Qualifying Life Event enrollment form that they will need to mail into the address provided on the document with payment in full. In this case, payment would go directly to United and would NOT be charged to your student account.

Why do I have to take these online courses?

• AlcoholEdu for College and Sexual Assault Prevention for Undergraduates delivers an effective course for helping students gain knowledge and learn to practice safe and healthy choices.  The courses also provides participants with a common baseline of information and strengthens a shared set of campus norms and expectations. We recognize the college experience is more than academics. SMC strives to ensure that all SMC students have a positive and safe educational and social experience. AlcoholEdu for College and Sexual Assault Prevention for Undergraduates AlcoholEDU is part of SMC’s intergrated approach to wellness education

How do I take them?

• The two required Health Education Courses through Vector Solutions - AlcoholEdu for College and Sexual Assault Prevention for Undergraduates - will be sent to all incoming Fall 2025 undergraduate students via their SMC email. Both courses must be completed by August 15, 2025. If you have not received an email, please check your SMC email SPAM folder. 

How long do they take to complete?

• Each course takes approximately 45 minutes to complete. 

Who has to take these courses?

• All new, incoming undergraduate students (first-years and transfer students) need to take these courses.

I’m under 18. Can I be seen at the Student Health Center?

• There are some situations when a person under 18 can get health care without parental consent. These situations are defined by California and federal laws. The following services do not require parental
  consent: 
       • Family Planning 
       • Sexually transmitted diseases 
       • Mental Health Treatment and Counseling 
       • Pregnancy 
       • Drug and Alcohol related problems
       • HIV/AIDs 
       • Sexual Assault Treatment 
       • Abortion 
       • COVID-19 Testing 
       • Situations involving public health reportable infectious disease care 
       • Suspected Child Abuse Victims
• Some people under 18 have a special status in California which allows them to seek care on their own. These include emancipated minors and minors living with complete financial independence separate and apart from their parents. 
• Unless your situation is listed above, a parent/guardian will need to provide consent for you to receive care at the Student Health Center if you are under 18. This can be done through signing the Consent for Treatment of a Minor form found on our website or at our clinic, but verbal consent via phone can also be obtained at the time of care if urgent treatment is needed.

Does a student need insurance to be seen at the Student Health Center?

• Insurance is NOT required to be seen at the Student Health Center. It might be needed to reduce or cover the cost of any external labs (via Quest or LabCorp) or off-site imaging or prescriptions (via local pharmacies) that might be ordered by the Student Health Center’s clinical staff, but insurance is not needed to have an appointment at the health center. 
• Many commonly prescribed medications are kept in stock on-site for students’ convenience – charges for these medications go directly to students’ accounts. No insurance card is required to purchase these medications.

How do I make an appointment at the Student Health Center?

• Self-schedule through the Student Health Portal
• Call the SHC at (925) 631-4254. Please leave a message if we are unable to answer.
• Stop by the SHC during business hours (M-F 9-4:30). We are not a "walk-in" clinic, but same-day appointments are almost always available for urgent issues. We are located in the lower level of Augustine Hall on campus. 

Are there fees for appointments at the Student Health Center?

• A visit fee of $20 will be charged to a student's account after an appointment.* There is no charge for necessary follow-up visits regarding the same medical issue.
• Our clinic also has a small, on-site pharmacy for commonly prescribed medications. The charge for these prescriptions is $15*, if needed, though patients may always choose to have a prescription sent to a local pharmacy, if desired. 

* We encourage any student to inform us if our visit or prescription fees are financially untenable so that accommodations can be made to waive these fees.  Our priority is to get students the care they need.

What if I can’t afford the clinic’s visit fee?

• We will not turn anyone away due to financial hardship. Our priority is making sure you receive the care you need to keep you safe and healthy. The visit fee can be waived if needed – just request this of your clinician at your visit.