Health Services

Health Services provides students with direct and preventive care, health counseling, and education outreach. Its staff includes physicians, registered nurses, a women's health nurse practitioner.

The Health Services staff can prescribe medication and refill existing prescriptions. Health Services is also responsible for issuing health-related alerts and communication to the Bennington community. Free safe sex and first aid supplies are available to students from Health Services, as well as in the student houses.

Health Services staff provides services one would expect at family practices in Vermont, such as “well” visits (check-ups and physicals), evaluation and management of acute and chronic medical problems, coordination of care with home physicians, health counseling, specialist referrals when necessary, some laboratory tests, and prescriptions for medications. Nutritional consultation is also available to students through Health Services. The services of Southwestern Vermont Medical Center (SVMC) in Bennington are used as needed for laboratory tests, x-rays, emergency care, and specialist consultation.

All full-time Bennington College students must be covered by a health insurance policy. Unfortunately, the previously offered plan and other College-sponsored insurance plans are no longer available. Student must provide their own insurance coverage. It is the responsibility of the policyholder/student to inquire with a provider about whether they take their insurance and whether prior authorization by their primary care provider or insurance carrier is necessary for services away from home. Students need to provide Proof of Insurance with a copy of their insurance card to the school and need to plan accordingly to pay their bill.

Physicians are on call 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and make referrals for consultation by outside providers when appropriate. During non-term times, information is provided for students needing health care locally.

Appointments are encouraged, but walk-in visits are taken on a first-come, first-served basis and as dictated by the urgency of the presenting problem. Appointments can be made in person, by using any of the contact methods.