To: Wellesley Students
From: Dr. Jennifer Schwartz, Medical Director of Health Services and Sports Medicine
Re: Reminder About Changes to Health Services at Wellesley College
Date: January 22, 2020

 

Dear Students,

Happy New Year! I hope you are excited for the start of the spring semester.

First, let me thank you for the warm welcome to Wellesley this fall, when I came on board as the College’s new medical director of Health Services and sports medicine. I have enjoyed meeting a number of you already, and I look forward to continuing to provide you with the best health care possible.

In case you missed it, have a look at a Q&A I did for Wellesley’s website right before break, where I talk about my background, my irrational fear of sharks, and my favorite fitness activities.

I’m writing to share some updates from Health Services that are taking effect this semester as part of the College’s collaboration with Newton-Wellesley Collegiate Health. Newton-Wellesley is part of the broader Partners HealthCare network, through which students will have access to a variety of specialized care options. We have made many improvements, and we invite student feedback to continue to best serve your needs.

How to Access Health Services

Step 1: Register with Newton-Wellesley

  • Before the end of the year, all students were asked to register as patients with Newton-Wellesley in the Partners system. To get an appointment at Health Services, you need to be registered.
  • If you have not registered already, please call Patient Services at 855.890.9241 with your insurance information.
  • Benefits of registering:
    • When you visit Health Services, we will have your medical information and a medical record for you in the Partners system.
    • You can use our after-hours call service to connect with a nurse practitioner. Students must be registered with Newton-Wellesley to access this service.
    • When you visit other Partners locations (specialists/urgent care/ER), your information will be easily accessible and shared to improve continuity of care.

Step 2: Activate the Patient Gateway

  • Once you have registered, call Health Services at 781.283.2810 so that you can receive access to Patient Gateway.
  • Perks of Patient Gateway: You can email providers with questions, look at your lab test results, request prescription refills, and make appointments.
  • NOTE: Students must have had an initial in-person appointment with Health Services in 2020 in order to be able to make appointments online.

Billing Changes
Newton-Wellesley Medical Group will continue to bill for the same services previously billed by Wellesley College. However, Newton-Wellesley has the ability to bill most insurance plans directly on your behalf. If you have billing questions, please call Health Services at 781.283.2810.

Hours
Health Services is open Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Tuesday and Thursday from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. To schedule an appointment, call 781.283.2810.

Students who are registered, have activated Patient Gateway, and have had an initial visit in 2020 will also be able to book appointments with providers online through the Patient Gateway.

After-Hours Care
When we are not open, you can call our regular number, 781.283.2810, to connect with a nurse practitioner for medical advice. Our nurse practitioners have advanced training as well as access to your medical record and can provide you with specialized and efficient care.

  • Remember that you need to be registered with Newton-Wellesley to access after-hours service.

For additional information about urgent care, acute and preventative services, diagnostic testing, and medication support, or to learn more about the Newton-Wellesley staff, I encourage you to visit the Health Services website.

Please don’t hesitate to reach out to us if you have any questions. On behalf of our team here at Health Services, I wish you a healthy and happy 2020!

Warmly,
Dr. Schwartz