<p>So I was accepted back in November and the more I think about it, the more I think Pitt is where I want to go next year - just waiting on a couple other decisions to compare financial aid more than anything else.</p>
<p>But I was wondering if there's anyone here who could tell me what kind of medical care is available to students on campus - I'm the girl who gets every bug that goes around (hello strep throat my old friend!) plus I have a chronic skin condition (anyone know a good dermatologist?) so I definitely want to know how that works and what people's experiences have been with this.</p>
<p>I have found the Student Health Services very helpful for minor health issues. All Pitt students have access to it since it’s part of the student fee you pay as part of attending Pitt. It’s easy to make an appointment so if I ever feel sick I check in there. </p>
<p>I don’t know about the more serious stuff, but UPMC has a major branch on campus. There’s also UPMC health insurance available for students, and I think you can go see any doctor affiliated with UPMC with it, which should certainly include a few dermatologists.</p>
<p>My daughter has been happy with the health service and her first year, security came and picked her up and drove her to the clinic. She passes out easily and she called the clinic to ask what to do. I thoguht that was very nice.</p>
<p>Okay thanks for the info guys. I’d looked through their site before, but I was mostly curious what people actually thought of it in practice - I’ve actually crossed a couple schools off my list before after hearing multiple horror stories about the health services. Nice to hear they’ve been helpful. Pitt is really sounding more and more like the place I want to be next year… :)</p>
<p>I’ve had a few friends go through the health services at Pitt. Although a bit oddly located (above a bank way down 5th avenue) in the next 1-2 years they’ll be moving into the bottom of a new dorm across from the quad (super nice).</p>
<p>Also, my old roommate had some skin issues and one of the things health services can do is referrals. So she went to the Pitt health service, got a referral for a dermatologist in the area, went to see that woman who prescribed some medicine for her that she could pick up from CVS/Rite Aid in Oakland.</p>
<p>I’ve heard a few bad stories about Student Health. For some reason, my friends were never quite satisfied with them. One of them loves UPMC Urgent Care, which is located on Lytton Avenue (right off of 5th by Alumni Hall/Holiday Inn). I’ve never been to either myself, but it’s nice to know that there are options around.</p>
<p>It’s also nice to be located so close to the UPMC health system. I’m sure you could easily find a dermatologist right on Fifth Ave through UPMC. I had a foot problem freshman year and had to find a podiatrist. I searched on UPMC’s website and found a whole list of them, many of them who took my insurance. It’s really easy to find a specialist in the area.</p>
<p>clarinetz- I was interested in your mention of UPMC urgent care, but on googling it looks like the nearest facility to Pitt is in Shadyside. Are you certain about that there is a facility on Lytton ave?</p>
<p>My S ended up having a bad sinus infection topped by mono. He went to Student Health about 3-4 times. At first, they recognized the sinus and not the mono and the medicine they gave him for the sinus made the mono worse. They eventually figured out he had both on his 3rd visit and got the meds and timing right. He said the difference between the first doctor and the last one was significant. So like anywhere else, some docs are just better at diagnosis than others. Like anything else, be an informed consumer.</p>
<p>One nice thing to remember is that going to Student Health for a check up is “free” (since you already paid for it). Going to the Emergency room at UPMC will cost you a LOT of money (even with insurance). Learned this when I had corneal ulcers and ended up half-blind in the emergency room. (For the record, I got meds and a follow up, and was fine 2-3 weeks later!)</p>
<p>@pamom-I can’t find any information on Google either, besides that the place is called “UPMC University Center.” I went in there with my friend once and I’m pretty sure it’s a walk-in.</p>
<p>I’ve never been sick in my three years at Pitt (lucky me), but if I did get sick I would choose Student Health first. Like I said before, it’s just nice to know that there are other options in the area. AwesomeOpossum is right in that Student Health will be “free” to the student. At UPMC Urgent Care there will definitely be a co-pay.</p>