Frequently Asked Questions

No, the Student Health Center provides health services for students who may or may not have health insurance and supports the public health and safety of the entire campus community. The required $23 health fee per semester does not qualify as health insurance and we encourage all students to obtain their own health insurance. The student health fee is a state mandated, board policy approved fee for California Community Colleges that can only be waived under certain conditions:

• You belong to a church or religious organization that depends solely on prayer for healing. If this applies to you, please email mauduong@occ.cccd.edu to complete the waiver request form.
• Enrolled in courses of less than two weeks duration.
• Enrolled in non-credit courses.
• Only enrolled in study abroad programs.

Most professional services provided to students in the Student Health Center are free of charge. Outside services such as laboratory tests and gynecological exams may require a small fee. Students who use the Student Health Center pay the actual cost of the medications and supplies used in their care so that these supplies can be restocked. Students also pay the cost of lab tests, which are performed by a private laboratory. All charges are well below what a student would have to pay for similar services outside of the Student Health Center.

No, your student health fee that is paid with your tuition is all you need.  The Student Health Center does not require nor accept health insurance.

The Student Health Center does not provide health insurance, but can provide you with information about low-cost insurance plans available for college students. Please view information on health insurance options for students.

Any of the Nurses at the Health Center will be able to help you find a referral that is close to school or your home. You may also view our list of Helpful Hotlines and Links and After Hours Resources.

Appointments can be made in person or by leaving a voicemail at the Medical Appointment Line at: (714) 714-7705 or for Mental Health services: (714) 432-6858.  You must be enrolled, currently attending classes and have paid your health fee. Have your student ID ready as you will be asked to provide this.

Students can expect to see the nurse or doctor within the same week which they initially visited or called the health center.

Mental Health appointments are scheduled on a first come, first serve basis. Once all appointments are filled a waiting list will be created. Please leave a voicemail at 714.432.6858 or come into the health center to schedule or be added to the waitlist. 

All students currently enrolled and attending classes who have paid the current semester health fee can be seen and treated at the Health Center.

Coastline students that have designated OCC as their Student Health Center and meet the above criteria can be seen and treated at the Health Center.

Minors aged 17 and younger may need to have a minor consent form completed by their legal guardian in order to receive medical services.

Since the Student Health Center is supported directly by the student health fee, we can only treat enrolled students.

The Student Health Center offers treatment for acute short-term illnesses and injuries, gynecological services and contraception, physical exams, tuberculosis skin testing and lab testing (such as strep testing, pregnancy testing, and urinary tract infection testing). We offer free condoms and feminine hygiene products. Our mental health program provides short-term therapy and crisis intervention for students. We can make referrals to community agencies, or help to find appropriate local resources that fit your needs. All services are confidential except in cases where law requires reporting.

We do NOT give out ice packs nor any over-the-counter medication such as Ibuprofen at the front desk. An appointment and medical evaluation is required to determine if those treatments are needed.

Yes, Allied Health, Sports and Health Screening physicals and gynecology exams are available to students for an additional fee. These appointments must be scheduled.

Yes, most skin problems can be treated by family practice physicians. Occasionally, a persistent or long-term problem will need to be referred to a specialist in the community (dermatologist). Remember, the Student Health Center concentrates on the diagnosis and treatment of short-term episodic illness. We do not remove warts.

The student requesting counseling will receive an intake appointment with a member of our mental health team, who will make a determination regarding a plan for appointments.  If the student & therapist decided longer term of counseling would be beneficial, a community referral is made.

Our staff consists of Registered Nurses, Family Practice Nurse Practitioners and Physicians, licensed Marriage & Family Therapists, and Marriage & Family Therapy associates and trainees. 

The Student Health Center is located on campus (Building 89) between Watson Hall and the Gymnasium (facing Fairview Road in parking Lot A). Our cross streets are Fairview Road and Pirate Way.

We are available in person Monday through Thursday: 9 a.m. - 12 p.m. and 1 p.m. - 5 p.m., Friday 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. We are closed weekends, holidays, and during semester breaks. Please call us at 714-432-5808 for summer and intersession hours.

All medical records are CONFIDENTIAL. Your medical records will not be released to anyone without your written consent, except in cases where it is required by court order, subpoena, or where reporting is required by law including:

• When the patient may harm themselves or others.
• When there is reasonable suspicion of domestic violence including sexual assault, child abuse, spousal abuse, or abuse of the elderly.
• When there is an injury as a result of violence or suspected violence.
• When a communicable disease (including COVID-19) is suspected or diagnosed.
• When an immunization or TB skin test is administered.

The Student Health Center follows all state and federal laws pertaining to the confidentiality of medical and mental health records. Our medical office software is stored on a server that is separate from those that contain student records data. No health center data can be accessed from other campus computers. 

No, there is no Vaccine Mandate for Orange Coast College. Vaccination and booster shots are strongly encouraged for all those eligible. 

Please view District COVID-19 Information. 

No, masks are not required indoors EXCEPT at the Student Health Center, per the California Department of Public Health: Masks are required for all individuals regardless of vaccination status at all times in healthcare facilities.

The Coast District strongly recommends masking indoors. Please be respectful and considerate of individuals who continue masking, as this may be a personal health precaution and/or caretaker situation.

No, the Student Health Center does not and has never administered any COVID-19 vaccines or boosters. 

Previously, COVID-19 vaccines were administered by the County of Orange at the OCC Ronnenberg classroom. To obtain information about a vaccine received at this location, please call the Orange County COVID-19 hotline at (714) 834-2000 or email the OC Health Care Agency’s Immunization Assistance Program (IAP) mailbox at IAP@ochca.com.

If you would like a digital vaccination card of your COVID-19 vaccine, please go to the Digital COVID-19 Vaccine Record Portal and fill out the information necessary to access your digital vaccine record.

Please view COVID-19 Vaccine Resources.

Yes, the Student Health Center provides free rapid COVID antigen testing to symptomatic students who are enrolled and have paid the health fee for the current semester, by appointment only. Students may call 714-714-7705 or come in to schedule an appointment. Daily appointments are limited.  

We do NOT provide PCR COVID testing nor COVID testing for travel or exposure. 

The Student Health Center has free take home COVID antigen tests available at the front desk while supplies last for staff and enrolled students (a student ID is required).