College Health Care Transition

Steps to take before starting college

Congratulations! You're starting college! Along with this exciting new step comes new responsibilities such as managing your own healthcare. Do you feel ready? Here are some steps to consider taking (with the help of your doctor and guardian) before you start school.

If you have any issues with the items on this checklist, please schedule an appointment to prepare yourself. Additionally, if you have any healthcare transition concerns, especially if you are going away to college, we encourage you to schedule a Transition Appointment.
To schedule an appointment with Dr. William Dodd in the Adolescent Clinic, call  (423) 439-7320.

Checklist of activities you should be able to do independently
  • Fill your own prescription
  • Reorder prescription before it runs out
  • If needed, use a pill organizer or phone alarm to make sure you take all your medications each day
  • Know what side effects your medicines can cause, and call your doctor if you have one
  • Call and schedule a doctor’s appointment
  • Arrange a ride to the appointment
  • Attend doctor’s appointment alone
  • Keep a list of appointment times (calendar, notes app)
  • Ask your doctor/nurse questions
  • Explain your health history
If you're going away for college
  • Find a new primary care physician in your college’s city
  • If you need a specialist referral, talk to us in the transition clinic, and we can help make that referral to a specialist near your college/university
  • Check with your university to see if they take your insurance OR check to see if your university itself offers health insurance (big ones do, and it may be required)
  • Make sure you have transportation to get to health care appointments
    • Will you take the bus? If so, where is the bus stop?
    • Will you be able to take your car on campus as a freshman?
Before classes start
  • Check to see if you will age out of insurance at 18 or 19
  • Visit healthcare.gov to maintain insurance if losing coverage
  • Educate yourself on your school’s medical clinics and resources