Northwestern Medicine Student Health Service: What you need to know

Northwestern University entered into an agreement with Northwestern Medicine last year to operate the Student Health Service in Evanston. On Dec. 12, Northwestern University Health Service Clinic and Sports Medicine in Evanston officially became a part of Northwestern Medicine and now are known as Northwestern Medicine Student Health Service. 

“We’re excited to work together with Northwestern Medicine on this new approach to health care for our students,” said Julie Payne-Kirchmeier, vice president for Student Affairs at Northwestern. “It connects our award-winning campus experts in collegiate health with the nationally ranked medical experts at Northwestern Medicine to provide exemplary student health services. Our students deserve nothing less.”

This expanded relationship enhances student access to clinical services across the Northwestern Medicine health system, including the Northwestern Medicine Immediate Care Center and outpatient facilities in Evanston. Other benefits include the use of a common medical record and the MyNM online patient portal.

“With a shared commitment to excellence and putting patients first, we understand the value of a comprehensive health service for students,” said Dr. Phillip E. Roemer, vice president, operations and chief medical officer, Northwestern Medical Group. “We are proud to provide the Northwestern University community with convenient access to our integrated academic health system, both on our downtown campus and in Evanston.” 

Here’s what you need to know as the change takes effect:

Same location, hours and eligibility

The campus-based clinic in Evanston will continue to provide services at 633 Emerson St. with the same hours of operation and contact information. Student eligibility for services will remain the same. Northwestern Medicine also continues to operate the Student Health Service on the downtown Chicago campus.

Mental health services 

The University will continue to oversee behavioral and mental health services, including Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS); Center for Awareness, Response & Education (CARE); and Health Promotion and Wellness (HPaW).

Online patient portal

Students will have access to MyNM, the Northwestern Medicine patient portal. Via MyNM, students can communicate with their care team, access medical records, schedule appointments, pay bills and more. Students can still access their Northwestern University Personal Health Portal, Point and Click, to upload immunization records and contact the Health Service Pharmacy to request refills of current prescriptions. Students received a separate communication with detailed instructions on how to open an account.

Change in insurance billing

The medical services covered by the University’s annual student health service fee will not change, but the billing process for services not covered by this fee will change. Students who are covered by an insurance plan other than Northwestern University Student Health Insurance Plan provided by Aetna Student (NU-SHIP) will no longer need to file insurance claims. Instead, the student’s insurance carrier will be billed directly by Northwestern Medicine. For students covered by NU-SHIP, there will be no changes to the billing process. Students will have the opportunity to select who is billed for each service received or to self-pay.

New way to pay

For services not covered by the health services fee, payment will be accepted via credit card or MyNM. Payment instructions can be found on the Northwestern Medicine billing page by selecting “Northwestern Medical Group” from the drop-down menu. Cash and checks will no longer be accepted.