Patient Rights & Responsibilities

• MIT Health Topics A-Z
• Emotional & Mental Health
• Nutrition & Fitness

• Sex & Sexuality

  • HIV & STIs
  • Healthy Relationships

  • FAQs

• Classes, Workshops & Groups
• Resources
• The Center for Health Promotion & Wellness

FAQs

How do I make an appointment?

Both male and female students can make appointments for basic sexual health services, including physical exams, prescriptions for contraception, STI and HIV tests, and pregnancy tests by calling their primary care providers or by calling 617-253-4481.

Female students can also choose to make appointments through Obstetrics and Gynecology (OB/GYN) by calling 617-253-1315. Because OB/GYN is a smaller, more specialized service, wait times for routine appointments may be longer than in Primary Care. The OB/GYN Service is affiliated with Mount Auburn Hospital in Cambridge. You do not need a referral to make an appointment at OB/GYN.

I'm a virgin. Do I need sexual health care?

Even if you have not had sex, it’s important to visit a health care provider regularly. Sexual health care is not just about contraception and STI testing; it’s also about making sure your reproductive system is in good working order and getting information that will help you make informed choices about sex later.

How do I do a testicular or breast self-examination?

For detailed instructions on how to perform a testicular self-exam, visit the Testicular Cancer Resource Center.

For detailed instructions on how to perform a breast self-exam, visit BreastCancer.org.

Will my parents find out that I got reproductive health services at Medical? Will my visits, tests, or prescriptions show up on my insurance?

Visits for routine sexual health care, including exams, pregnancy testing, and STI testing, are covered under the Student Medical Plan, which all registered students receive. Therefore, your parents’ insurance is not involved, and no information about the visit or the test is sent to them. In addition, strong confidentiality laws protect your medical records at MIT, and your parents cannot see these records without your written permission.

If you get prescription medication, such as contraception, during your visit, a “pharmacy charge” statement may be generated on your bursar bill (if you charge the cost of the drug or your copay) or on your parents’ insurance statement (if you do not have the MIT Student Extended Insurance Plan). The amount of information on the statement about the specific medication purchased depends on your parents’ insurance plan. If you wish to avoid any mention of a pharmacy charge, you may pay the full cost of the medication yourself.