Emmons Wellness Center is an integrated medical and counseling center. We understand that your health and wellbeing is critical to your personal and academic success, here at Oxy and beyond, and provide resources and services to support your holistic wellbeing.
Medical Services
Emmons medical providers are available to all students Monday-Friday, 9am-12pm and 1pm-4pm for in person and walk-in visits. Appointments and walk-ins are available depending on the provider's schedules and availability. Students wishing to see a medical provider should call the front desk at (323) 259-2657 or email us at emmons@oxy.edu to be put on a provider's schedule. Walk-in appointments vary by the day, and are subject to change at any given notice due to emergency situations, provider availability, etc. Walk-ins are reserved for sick and injury-related visits only.
Counseling
Emmons provides short-term individual therapy, walk-ins (Mon-Fri, 2-4pm), group therapy, drop-in chats, crisis support, consultations (including for off-campus referrals), dietary services, and psychiatry services. All of Emmons’ therapists have training in trauma informed care and bring a variety of professional expertise. Our counseling services are provided both in-person and virtually, based on student preference and provider availability. All of the services are free to all students, regardless of insurance, with the exception of psychiatry. To get connected to any of the confidential services at Emmons, you can call (323) 259-2657 or email us at emmons@oxy.edu.
TimelyCare
TimelyCare is a virtual health and well-being platform for students. TimelyCare provides 24/7 access to virtual care from anywhere in the United States at no cost year-round. Any enrolled Oxy student may utilize this service, regardless of medical insurance. TimelyCare services include on-demand medical care and emotional support, scheduled counseling and medical visits, and self-care content. Visit timelycare.com/oxy or download the TimelyCare app to get started.
COVID Testing
Summer 2023 COVID testing is located at Emmons on Monday-Thursday from 9 a.m. - 12 p.m. Students should get a COVID test if experiencing symptoms, or if exposed to someone who tested positive for COVID. For COVID-related questions, please email covidops@oxy.edu. Fall 2023 COVID testing information will be forthcoming later this summer.
The Oxy 24/7 Helpline
The 24/7 confidential helpline is new and improved for the 2022-23 academic year, providing more robust support for students experiencing mental health crises, emotional distress, trauma, or substance use issues. This 24/7 line is available to all Oxy students: (323) 341-4141 .
Students in need of non-mental health related medical support after-hours should visit our list of off-campus providers, or call the nurse/advice line provided by most health insurance carriers. The number is usually listed on the back of your health insurance card. However, if you are having a hard time finding it, please reach out to Emmons at emmons@oxy.edu and we can help get that number for you. If you have Oxy’s student health insurance, the phone number for UHCSR's StudentAssist is 1-877-862-1172 .
Student Health Insurance
Beginning August 1, 2023, the Oxy student health insurance carrier will be changing to Aetna Student Health. The student health insurance plan through Aetna Student Health covers primary, urgent, emergent, pharmaceutical and behavioral health care locally, nationally and internationally. There are no breaks in coverage, so students will be covered while on winter and summer breaks.
For those students who currently have the Oxy student health insurance through United HealthCare, your coverage will remain through July 31, 2023. Student health insurance is a full service PPO plan that can be used by medical providers who are in network with United HealthCare. Providers who do not accept United HealthCare will accept UHCSR insurance at out-of-network rates.
Student health insurance can be utilized anywhere in the US. Internationally, insurance can be used via reimbursement for services. Patients must call the insurance company before they go to the doctor to authorize the visit (if possible), or soon after to make them aware of the visit and the upcoming reimbursement request. Patients must retain all medical documents and receipts for services.
All enrolled students must have health insurance through an ACA accredited/approved health insurance plan. For on-campus study, students are required to have insurance that covers primary and specialty care services in Los Angeles County - having only urgent and emergent care coverage does not qualify for a health insurance waiver. A student may opt out of the Oxy student health insurance plan by filling out an online waiver and providing proof of active health insurance at www.jcbins.com.
Project SAFE
Project SAFE is Oxy’s sexual and dating violence prevention and intervention program. Students seeking advocacy services and/or confidential support can email the Director & Survivor Advocate, Lizzy Denny, at survivoradvocate@oxy.edu to make an appointment. To meet with a Project SAFE Student Programming Assistant during the fall or spring semesters, sign up for the PAs’ weekly drop-in office hours or email projectsafe@oxy.edu to schedule an appointment. There are no drop-in hours during the summer. Read more about the resources and services offered by Project SAFE.
Emmons Wellness Center Mission
Emmons Wellness Center remains committed to providing the students of Occidental College with accessible, culturally sensitive, and high quality medical care, psychological counseling services, and student-driven wellness education during this difficult time. Emmons' staff utilizes a comprehensive approach to wellness services that seeks to enhance the physical and emotional well being of students so they may be fully engaged in all aspects of college life.