Student Health Policies & Procedures

Student health forms (physical exam and immunization records) ARE DUE TO THE Clinical Director of Health Records by March 1st for those students admitted before January 1st, and no later than May 1st for those admitted after the first of each year.

Forms are to be returned to:

Clinical Director of Health Records
Liberty University College of Osteopathic Medicine
306 Liberty View Lane
Lynchburg, VA 24502

It is important that each student verify that all forms are filled out completely and that they are dated and signed by the physician. Incomplete or unsigned forms will not be accepted. The form will be returned to the student. Such action does not change the due date for the documents and failure to meet the required deadlines could result in the rescinding of LUCOM acceptance.

Any requests for extension of the deadline should be addressed to the Clinical Director of Health Records.

IMPORTANT: LUCOM does not automatically waive immunizations or student health requirements. LUCOM is not responsible to secure or approve educational opportunities that are not in compliance with immunization policies.

Students will not be allowed any patient care activities until all required immunizations have been administered and proof of immunity is established, including but not limited to early clinical experiences, health care outreach events, international outreach trips, clinical rotations, etc.

Failure to begin clinical experiences as scheduled in the curriculum does not entitle the student to make up the missed experiences, could result in failure of the course, academic probation, or dismissal from the COM.

Regulatory, legislative, institutional, administrative authorities require that LUCOM students demonstrate immunization, immunity, or protection from multiple contagious diseases before being allowed to perform clinical rotations in the institutions utilized by the COM for the education of its students. Required laboratory evaluations and immunizations are subject to review and change annually based on recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), the United States Preventive Services Task Force (USPTF) and other public health agencies. Students will be notified of any changes and will be required to comply with any mandated changes upon receipt of notice from LUCOM.

Health Insurance¹

All LUCOM students are required to maintain continuous active health insurance sponsored by a domestic health insurance plan from matriculation through graduation.

All students will be enrolled in a policy of student health insurance beginning in their first year of enrollment and continuing through the student's graduation. All students will be required to pay a student health insurance fee that provides such coverage. Students will be charged per semester in both the Fall and Spring semesters if a waiver is not submitted before the start of Fall semester.

Students may apply for a waiver of the student health insurance fee through the established portal and will need to provide satisfactory proof of equivalent and sufficient health insurance coverage. To be considered for a waiver. satisfactory proof of coverage must be received prior to the start of each academic year. If an acceptable waiver is not received and approved before the start of each academic year, LUCOM will finalize the student's enrollment in the student health insurance plan. For waiver purposes, state-specific Medicaid is acceptable for OMS-I and OMS-II students if the student has coverage in Virginia and lives in Virginia the entire academic year. Out-of-state Medicaid is not an acceptable form of coverage to meet the requirement. Clinical students (OMS-Ill and OMS-IV) are not allowed to waive with any state Medicaid or limited network plans. Clinical students must have comprehensive coverage throughout the United States. LUCOM does not waive student health insurance requirements for religious reasons or personal preferences.

If a student's waiver request is denied or if the student is found to be inactive or out of compliance. LUCOM will enroll the student in the LUCOM student health insurance plan. Any medical costs incurred by students while in training are the sole responsibility of the student and his/her health insurance carrier.

History and Physical Examination

Each student must have a comprehensive history and physical examination performed by a licensed allopathic or osteopathic physician or their designated Advanced Practice Provider after acceptance and before matriculation into LUCOM. The examination must be completed within the timeline detailed above. This examination must establish and the examining physician must verify that the student health status is adequate to meet the demands of the curriculum; that they are clinically free of contagious disease that would pose a risk to patients and that the student satisfies the health and technical requirements for admission, education, and graduation detailed in the student handbook. A signed copy of immunizations and lab reports demonstrating immunity and titers when applicable must be returned by the physician or APP to LUCOM by the posted deadline.

---