Referrals
The SCS serves as the "gatekeeper" for the University Student Health Insurance Plan (U-SHIP). In order to receive a referral for psychotherapy services covered by U-SHIP, a student must make an appointment at SCS to obtain referral forms before meeting with their U-SHIP approved provider. If the forms are not obtained before the visit, the student will incur a penalty of $50 (per appointment).
If you are not satisfied with the therapist to whom you were referred and want a second referral to a different therapist, you will need to have a new referral form completed by an SCS clinician, and signed by the Director.
The SCS refers students only to licensed clinicians, and are unable to backdate referral forms. If you would like to be referred to more than one outside clinician for treatment, a separate referral form must be obtained for each.
What to expect...in getting a referral
If you are currently seeing a SCS therapist, that therapist will complete the U-SHIP referral form to an outside provider. If you are not being seen at SCS and want a referral to an outside provider, please call 773-702-9800 and schedule an intake appointment.
The SCS therapist will discuss with you basic information about the mental health benefits through U-SHIP and explain the concept of in- and out-of-network providers. The therapist will complete the U-SHIP referral paperwork for you to see an outside provider, if desired. The referral form will be given to the SCS Director to be authorized, and the form will be ready for you to pick up approximately 48 hours after meeting with the therapist.
When you return to SCS to obtain the referral, the you will sign a consent for release of information, and you will be given the original referral form for you to give to your outside provider as well as a copy for your records.
Referral pick up hours are 9:00am-4:00pm Monday-Friday.
