 Frequently
Asked Questions
General
CAPS Questions
I've
never been to CAPS. How do I access services?
What types of services are offered at
CAPS?
How much does it cost to be seen at CAPS?
Can
I use my health insurance to cover CAPS visits?
Where
is CAPS located?
What are the hours
of operation for CAPS?
When can I come in for CAPS Triage?
Psychiatric
Medication Questions
Can I get psychiatric medications
at CAPS?
What if I am already on a psychotropic
medication prescribed by my doctor at home?
Can I get tested for ADD/ADHD at CAPS?
How
do I get refills for medication previously prescribed at CAPS?
What
if I can't afford my prescription medication?
ADD/ADHD
Questions
ADD/ADHD
FAQs
I've
never been to CAPS. How do I access services?
The
first visit to CAPS does not require an appointment. You can
walk in during Triage hours (see ”hours of operation”)
and on a first-come, first-served basis and/or meet with one
of the Triage counselors to briefly discuss the nature of
your concern. The triage counselor will assist you in looking
at alternatives about the next step in your care. If your
need will be best met at CAPS, a follow–up appointment
will be set up with a CAPS provider. If a referral for more
extensive treatment off-campus, or another sort of assistance
is indicated, the Triage counselor will help direct you to
those services.
Return
to Top
What
types of services are offered at CAPS?
CAPS
offers solution-focused therapy aimed at helping students to resolve personal issues that are interfering with their school success. Individuals who are currently enrolled U of A students, as well as couples, in which at least one individual is currently enrolled at UA are eligible.
In addition, group services and classes
are offered on a variety of topics. See Other
Services & Classes.
Return
to Top
How
much does it cost to be seen at CAPS?
There
is a nominal fee for the initial triage session. There are
moderate charges for follow-up counseling visits, medication
evaluations, groups and other services at CAPS. A complete
fee schedule for this academic year is available at the CAPS
reception desk. Students who have the major medical student
plan and students with Campus Care receive reduced fees for
many services.
Return
to Top
Can
I use my health insurance to pay for CAPS visits?
The
only health insurance plans accepted for CAPS visits are: Arizona Board of Regents Student Health insurance plan administered by Aetna, and most Blue Cross/Blue Shield insurance plans.
At their discretion, students are free to attain receipts for
their visits to CAPS and submit them to their personal health
insurance plan for reimbursement. Return
to Top
Where
is CAPS located?
CAPS
is located on the SE corner of the 3rd floor of the Campus
Health Service building in the Highland Commons. The Highland
Commons is located between Park and Highland on the north
side of 6th Street. Convenient parking is located in the Sixth
Street Parking Garage just west of the Campus Health Service
building.
Return
to Top
What
are the hours of operation for CAPS?
CAPS
is open Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday from 8 a.m.
to 5 p.m. On Wednesday, CAPS is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Some
provider appointments are scheduled at 8:00 a.m. on Wednesday
mornings. Due to the building having an automatic locking/unlocking
system on the outside doors, students with this appointment
time are asked to knock on the door for admittance.
You
may gain admittance to CAPS by using the DRC (Disability Resources
Center) elevator on the east side of the building. Come to
the third floor, and enter CAPS by using the door in the lobby
just past the restrooms.
Return
to Top
When
can I come in for CAPS Triage?
CAPS
offers both morning and afternoon Triage walk-in hours, daily,
Monday through Friday. Students are seen on a first-come,
first-served basis. CAPS Triage hours are:
Summer
Hours: 1:00 - 4:00 p.m. Monday through Friday
Fall-Spring
Hours: 9:00 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. Monday through Fridays during
the academic year.
Return
to Top
Can
I obtain prescription medications for psychiatric medications at CAPS?
A student may be evaluated for psychotropic medications at CAPS. All first visits to CAPS are through our walk-in Triage. If the CAPS Triage counselor deems it reasonable, students will be given an appointment to be evaluated by a CAPS Psychiatrist. The Psychiatrist will determine if medications may be beneficial in the student's treatment and prescribe these medications, if indicated.
If you are seeking a continuation or a re-start of PREVIOUSLY PRESCRIBED medications through CAPS, your
evaluation with the CAPS psychiatrist will be expedited if
you have a copy available of your prior treatment records indicating diagnosis, as well as names and dosages of medications.
Bring in a copy of those records or arrange for your doctor
to mail or FAX them to CAPS (FAX 520-626-6105) before your appointment, if at all possible.
You may instead, provide us with your
previous prescribing physician’s name, address, FAX
and phone number, and we can provide you with a Release of Information
Form to sign, so that we can contact that office and request a copy of your records. Be aware, however, that this could delay your treatment, as the CAPS Psychiatrist may need to see the prior records before initiating treatment.
Return
to Top
How
do I get refills for medication previously prescribed at CAPS?
After
you have seen a CAPS psychiatrist for a medical evaluation
and been prescribed psychotropic medication, you will be asked
to come in at certain intervals for brief "medication
checks" and/or prescription renewals. These "med-check"
appointments are generally made by calling the CAPS secretary
at (520) 621-3334.
Because
there is an extremely high demand for these appointments,
and it could take some time to get an appointment at a time
that works for you, we suggest that you:
Call
(520) 621-3334 at least two weeks before
you run out of medication for best appointment availability.
We take calls starting at 8:00 a.m. every day, Monday through
Friday, with the exception of Wednesday. We begin taking calls
at 9:00 a.m. on Wednesdays. We will do our best to find a
time that fits your schedule conveniently.
Return
to Top
Can
I get tested or treated for ADD/ADHD at CAPS?
CAPS does not do evaluative testing for ADD/ADHD. CAPS/CHS providers may write prescriptions for patients who are stabilized on their ADD/ADHD medications. Patients must first see a CAPS Triage counselor to determine if they meet criteria for treatment here. If a CAPS triage counselor recommends that you be seen for medication management at CAPS, an evaluation appointment will be scheduled for you with a CAPS Psychiatrist, who will make a final determination of whether or not to prescribe your ADD/ADHD medication.
If you have not been previously evaluated for ADD/ADHD, but
think you may have this problem, CAPS has a list of community psychologists, who conduct ADD/ADHD assessments. We can also provide a list of community psychiatrists who can prescribe these medications, if appropriate.
Return
to Top
What
if I can't afford my prescription medication?
The
Campus Health Service is sensitive to the needs of some patients
who simply cannot afford certain critical medications. Some
pharmaceutical companies offer Patient Assistance
Programs that can enable you to obtain certain name
brand medications at little or no cost, if you do not currently
have a prescription benefit included as a part of your health
insurance and if you meet the other requirements. Note that
not everyone will qualify for these programs, even if you
believe you have a legitimate financial need.
Each
of the pharmaceutical manufacturers that offer Patient
Assistance Programs may have very different criteria
for participation. Certain clinical parameters, as well as
financial parameters will apply in determining eligibility.
If
you think you may be eligible for one of these prescription
medication Patient Assistance Programs, talk
with your Campus Health provider. If they think you are a
candidate, they will give you the information, including directions
on what to do to apply.
Return
to Top
|
