Parents / Family

Welcome, families of Caltech students! We know this can be a very exciting time!

Caltech Student Wellness Services is compromised of health, counseling, and occupational therapy services which are dedicated to supporting your student during their time here at Caltech.

Information About the Student Insurance

Student Wellness Services are open to ALL currently registered Caltech students regardless of what health insurance you have. Students are NOT required to enroll in the Caltech Student Health Insurance Plan in order to receive care on-campus.

Caltech Anthem Student Advantage (ASA) is the provider of the Student Health Insurance Plan and covers care your student may need beyond what our Student Health and Counseling services can provide.

Information About Confidentiality

If your student is 18 or older, their medical and counseling records are considered confidential; this means that our offices will not be able to confirm or deny that your student is receiving any services unless your student gives their express written consent. If you have questions about your student's care, we encourage you to discuss your concerns with them directly. If you have concerns about your student that you wish to share with our offices, we are able to listen to your concerns and consult with you about how you might proceed. You can also pass on your concerns to the Deans' Offices: The undergraduate deans are available at (626) 395-6351, and the graduate deans are available at (626) 395-6346.

Accessing Healthcare for Students Before Age Eighteen (18)

If you are under 18, California state law requires Caltech's Student Wellness Services to contact your parents for most treatment at Student Wellness Services.

Generally, a person becomes an adult at age 18. Prior to reaching 18 years of age, parents or legal guardians have the right to make most health care decisions, including the right to consent to health care. This means that a parent or guardian must generally give consent for any students under the age of 18 when they are receiving services at Student Wellness Services.

In some situations, a person under 18 can get health care without parental or guardian consent, including for the following services if certain conditions are satisfied:

• Emergency Care for Life-threatening Health Concerns
• Family Planning and Contraceptive Services
• Sexually Transmitted Infections
• Mental Health Treatment and Counseling
• Pregnancy
• Drug and Alcohol-related Problems
• HIV/AIDS Treatment
• Sexual Assault Treatment
• Abortion
• COVID-19 Testing
• Situations involving public health reportable infectious disease care
• Suspected Child Abuse Victims

Some individuals under 18 have a special status in California, allowing them to seek care independently. These include emancipated minors and minors living with complete financial independence separate and apart from their parents.

Outside of the situations listed above, Student Wellness Services must contact your parents before we can provide any services.

Your parent or guardian must complete the Consent for Treatment of a Minor form before you can receive services unless you are receiving care for the specific situations listed above OR have a special status as defined by California law.

This consent form only applies to services at Caltech's Student Wellness Services and Emergency Services on Campus. If you receive care offsite, you must follow the policies and practices of the specific healthcare provider before receiving treatment for non-life-threatening emergencies.

How to Prepare Your Student to Care for Their Health

• Student Health Services should be the first stop for any medical concerns.
• There is no cost for appointments and Student Wellness Services does not bill insurance for services.
• The providers at Student Health Services can act as their primary care provider.
• Student Health Services is here to help guide them with referrals to specialty care. Specialists in the community take most insurances and we may be able to provide guidance in this regard.

When your student comes to college, they will be taking more responsibility for their own physical and emotional well-being. You can help facilitate this important transition by talking with them about their medical and emotional needs before they come to campus. For instance, students will benefit from knowing such information as:

• Where is Student Wellness Services located?
  • View campus map.
  • How to access physical health care on the weekends and after hours.
  • How to access mental health care on the weekends and after hours.

  Other information you may want to review with your student include:

  • What health insurance do they have?
  • Which providers in the Pasadena/Los Angeles area will be covered under their insurance?
  • Are they aware of their own medical history and do they have access to their past medical records and immunizations?
  • If they choose, how can they find a local primary care provider covered by their insurance?
  • You may find it helpful to sit down with your student and fill out the Hospital Preparedness Form.

  TimelyCare - Free Virtual Health and Mental Health Visits

  TimelyCare Services are free to all Caltech students regardless of insurance

  Caltech has partnered with TimelyMD, the leading virtual health and well-being solution in higher education, to offer students free and equitable access to medical and mental health through the TimelyCare platform. This is not a substitution or replacement for Student Wellness Services, but rather, additional resources students have access to virtually.

  TimelyCare serves as a 24/7 virtual extension of our health and counseling center resources. Through the TimelyCare webpage or smartphone app, Caltech students can now select from a wide-ranging menu of virtual care options from licensed physicians and counselors in all 50 states – at no cost and regardless of insurance coverage – including:

  • On-demand medical care
  • Appointment-based medical care
  • On-demand mental health support (TalkNow)
  • Appointment-based mental health counseling
  • Digital self-care content

  TimelyCare is available even to students on medical leave. Students have access to TimelyCare as long as they have a working access.caltech account.

  Some benefits to your student:

  • Convenient 24/7 care – Physical and mental health issues often present themselves outside regular business hours, and TimelyCare makes seeking support or treatment as easy and convenient as making a video or phone call. Nationally, about 40% of mental health care visits through TimelyCare occur after hours.
  • Reduced wait times – Typical consultations for on-demand services through TimelyCare begin within 5-10 minutes.
  • Diverse provider network – In addition to being from diverse backgrounds, TimelyMD providers are trained to be culturally competent. For example, more than 60% of mental health providers identify as BIPOC. The platform also offers professionals who identify as LGBTQIA+, speak multiple languages and/or have various religious and spiritual beliefs. Students can choose to meet with a specific provider or select the first available.
  • Peace of mind – TimelyCare is a safe, secure, and HIPAA-compliant platform that follows up with Student Wellness Services to ensure continuity of care.
  • Sign up for TimelyCare

  Additional Resources

  • Set To Go - Resources for preparing for college from the Jed Foundation
  • WebMD - Preparing for College: The Mental Health Gap