• Where is the on-campus health center located?
  Norton Medical Center (NMC), the on-campus student health center, is the small white building located next to the Wheaton bookstore on Taunton Avenue.
• How do I make an appointment?
  Call 508-286-5400 to schedule an appointment. NMC provides same-day-only appointments. Space is limited so call as soon as you possibly can. The office accepts phone calls beginning at 9 AM. You must have an appointment to be seen; NMC is not a walk-in clinic. If you have difficulty making an appointment or have questions or concerns about NMC, please contact Cynthia Maricle, Student Health Services Coordinator at Norton Medical Center at 508-286-8210.
• How much will an appointment cost?
  All Wheaton students, regardless of their health insurance plan (Wheaton or personal), are seen free of charge at NMC; there is no cost (no copay) for an office visit. Any associated labwork, procedures, treatments, and/or prescriptions are billed to your health insurance and you will be responsible for any deductibles or co-pays incurred.
• Will I pay a copay at NMC?
  No, there's no copay required at NMC. You are required to pay a copay according to your insurance plan for any other doctor's office visits as well as emergency room visits. If you belong to the health insurance plan offered by the college, your copay is $20.00 for an outpatient office visit and $50.00 for an emergency room visit.
• If I'm unable to be seen at NMC, are there other health clinics close by?

  Yes, there are several walk-in health clinics nearby:

  1. 1. MANSFIELD WALK-IN HEALTH CENTER, 200 Copeland Drive, Mansfield, MA; 508-339-4144. Bring picture ID, insurance card, co-payment, and, if you belong to an HMO, a referral.
  2. ROUTE 44 MEDICAL WALK-IN (True-Med Walk-In), 106 Route 44, Raynham, MA; 508-824-1476
  3. TAUNTON WALK-IN HEALTH CLINIC, Tremont Street (Route 140), Taunton, MA; 508-822-2311
• What if I need health care when NMC is closed or need emergency care?
  If you become ill on the weekend or after NMC has closed for the day, call 508-286-5400, leave a message with the answering service, and the doctor-on-call will promptly return your call . For emergency situations any time of day, contact Wheaton Public Safety at 508-286-8213 or dial 911.
• Is there an infirmary on campus?
  No, there is no traditional overnight infirmary.
• What if I need transportation to the Emergency Room or to an off-campus medical appointment?

  For emergency room visits, Wheaton Public Safety provides transportation to and from Sturdy Memorial Hospital in Attleboro, 10 minutes from campus. If required, Norton EMS will be contacted.

  For medical appointments, taxi vouchers are available if you require transportation to off-campus medical appointments. The college will reimburse the Taunton Checker Cab Company up to $40 round-trip. PLEASE NOTE: The remaining balance of the transportation fare will be charged to your Wheaton account.

  You must obtain a signed voucher from either Public Safety (open 24/7) or Cynthia Maricle, Student Health Coordinator at Norton Medical Center during regular business hours. To reserve a taxi, contact Taunton Checker Cab Company at 508-822-7313 and identify yourself as a Wheaton student. Present the signed taxi voucher and your Wheaton ID to the driver at the time of pick-up. The college will then reimburse Checker Cab for up to $40 of the cost of your total fare.

  The taxi voucher program will remain in effect until December 16, 2011, at which time the program (as it is structured now) will be discontinued. If you currently use a taxi voucher for transportation to medical appointments, please note that after December 16th, the cost of the fare will no longer be shared in-part by Wheaton:  you will be responsible for the full cost of the ride. You may pay the driver in cash or, you may choose to use a voucher in lieu of cash (no cash exchanged in the taxi) and the full cost of the fare will be charged to your Wheaton account.

  PLEASE NOTE:

  • BEFORE 12/16/11 - The college will reimburse the Taunton Checker Cab Company up to a maximum of $20.00 each way toward the cost of medical appointment transportation. The remaining balance will be charged to your student account.

  • AFTER12/16/11 - Please follow the same procedure for receiving a signed voucher (in lieu of cash). The total cost of the fare will be charged to your student account.

  If you have questions or are unable to pay the cost of a taxi for transportation to a medical appointment, you may request an exception by contacting Cynthia Maricle, Student Health Services Coordinator, at 508-286-8210.

• Where is the closest pharmacy?
  There are 3 pharmacies conveniently located within easy walking distance:
  HASKINS PHARMACY: 508-285-4481
  CVS PHARMACY: 508-285-4564
  WALGREENS PHARMACY: 508-285-4961
  Norton Medical Center will fax your prescription to the pharmacy of your choice. When picking up your prescription, you will need to bring your insurance card and money for a co-payment. 

• What services are provided at NMC?
  There are 2 physicians and 2 nurse practitioners who are available to treat a variety of health problems such as colds and flu, mono, strep throat, GI upset, UTIs, and other minor illnesses and injuries. GYN exams, birth control, some routine immunizations, and confidential STD and HIV testing are available as well. Routine physical exams are not available. The on-site lab is open from 8:00 AM to 12:30 PM Monday through Friday for any blood work your physician may order (fax to 508-286-5409). You will subsequently receive a bill from Sturdy Memorial Hospital as all blood work and cultures are processed there.
• Are there any female providers at NMC?
  Yes, there are 4 female providers: A physician and 2 nurse practitioners, as well as, Dr. Lisa Matthews, a female gynecologist, who holds office hours monthly. You may request to see any one of these providers for GYN exams, birth control, and pregnancy counseling, as well as routine visits. Notify the receptionist of your preference when scheduling an appointment.
• Is Gardasil, the HPV vaccine, available at NMC?
  Yes, Gardasil is available at NMC for both males and females. Call 508-286-5400 to request a prescription for Gardasil. NMC will fax your prescription to a local pharmacy of your choice. You're strongly encouraged to check with your insurance company to confirm that the Gardasil vaccine is covered (out of pocket cost is about $170.00) and to verify any deductibles and/or co-pays that may be your responsibility. After the prescription has been filled (presenting a AAA card will save $40.00 off of the prescription price), bring the vaccine immediately to NMC where it will be promptly refrigerated. You may then schedule an appointment to receive the vaccine at NMC free of charge. You will be required to remain in the office for 15 minutes following the administration of the vaccine. Follow the same procedure to receive each of the three doses needed to complete the series.
• Are physical exams available at NMC?

  No, NMC providers do not perform physicals but there are several other local health clinics where you can receive an exam:

  1. MANSFIELD WALK-IN HEALTH CENTER (Physicals by appointment only): 200 Copeland Drive, Mansfield, MA; 508-339-4144; Bring picture ID, insurance card, co-payment, and, if you belong to an HMO, a referral.
  2. ROUTE 44 MEDICAL WALK-IN (True-Med Walk-In): 106 Route 44, Raynham, MA; 508-824-1476
  3. ARMISTICE URGENT CARE: 209 Armistice Blvd., Pawtucket, RI; 401-725-4100
  4. COMPASS MEDICAL, URGENT CARE: 21 Bristol Drive, Easton, MA; 508-565-7100
• Are study abroad physicals and immunizations available at NMC?
  Some routine immunizations are available at NMC by appointment but less routine vaccinations, especially those required for traveling abroad, are not. For these immunizations, you will need to make an appointment at one of the travel clinics in the area. If a physical exam is required for a study abroad program, you will need to schedule an appointment at one of the off-campus health clinics listed above.
• Are allergy shots available at NMC?

  No, NMC does not administer allergy shots but the following allergists are located nearby:

  1. 1. ALLERGY & ASTHMA SPECIALISTS; 550 N Main Street, Attleboro, MA; 508-222-0066
  2. DONALD ACCETTA, MD, 2007 Bay Street, Suite 101; Taunton, MA; 508-880-3121
  3. AAP ASTHMA & ALLERGY PHYSICIANS, 35 Summer Street, Taunton, MA; 508-880-8737

  Contact each office to confirm whether serum from your present/previous allergist is acceptable. Check with your insurance company regarding coverage for specialists and whether there are any charges or deductibles which are not covered by your health plan. At the time of each office visit, you'll be asked for your insurance information and a co-payment. You'll also be required to remain in the allergist's office for 30 minutes after receiving your allergy injection.

• What if I'd like to see a specialist?
  For a comprehensive listing of local health care providers including specialists, please refer to the Directory of Local Health Care Resources.
• What if I'd like to keep my parents from receiving the bill from NMC or Sturdy Memorial Hospital?
  If you participate in the health insurance plan offered by Wheaton, bills from NMC and Sturdy Hospital will be mailed to you at your campus mailbox. If you are covered by your parents' insurance, the statement of charges will be mailed to your home address in care of your parents. If you pay out of pocket, neither you nor your parents will receive a bill. Information about the Wheaton Student Accident and Sickness plan and the Accident Only plan may be found at Student Insurance Information. For more information regarding the health insurance plan offered by Wheaton, please visit gallaherkoster.com.
• Where can I find additional information regarding NMC?
  More detailed information about NMC may be found at Welcome to Norton Medical Center.
• Whom should I contact regarding NMC, my health insurance, or available health care options?
  Call the Office of Health & Wellness at 508-286-8210 to speak with Craig Andrade, Director of Student Health Services, or Cynthia Maricle, Student Health Coordinator at Norton Medical Center. They are available to answer specific questions regarding NMC, as well as concerns you may have regarding your health insurance coverage, on- and off-campus options for health care, and other health related issues.

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