Appointment Types

Because some states have laws restricting the provision of telehealth services across state lines, MIT Medical’s telehealth services are available only to patients who are physically located in Massachusetts at the time of the appointment.

Visiting MIT Medical during COVID-19

We have protocols in place to minimize the spread of COVID‑19. If you have an in-person visit at MIT Medical, here’s what you need to know.

• Arrive no more than ten minutes before your appointment. If you do arrive early, wait outside the building at least six feet away from others. If you can’t make it to your appointment on time, we may have to reschedule your appointment to a different time or day.
• It’s best to come alone. If you need to bring someone to your appointment, limit yourself to one companion.
• Don’t forget your mask. During your visit, keep your mask on at all times, unless otherwise instructed. Massachusetts requires masks in all healthcare settings, including MIT Medical.
• You may be screened when you enter the building. When you arrive, a staff member may greet you at the entrance and do a brief COVID‑19 screening and temperature check. After that, you will be directed to the appropriate check-in point.
• Once you’re checked in, you’ll be taken directly to an exam room. You’ll wait for your clinician in the exam room, and when your appointment is over, someone will come into the room to check you out. If you need any lab work or follow-up appointments, we’ll schedule those appointments at that time.

Getting started

Will this be your first appointment at MIT Medical? Maybe you need a routine checkup or a shot? Perhaps you need to get a prescription or you have a health concern you want to discuss? It’s pretty simple to make an appointment:

• If you’ve already chosen a primary care provider (PCP), just call your PCP’s office directly, and explain what you need.
• If you don’t have a PCP yet, call 617-258-9355. Tell us as much as you can about why you are making the appointment. That way, we can schedule enough time for you with the right clinician.

Routine checkup

Your routine checkup (or physical exam) will be with your primary care provider (PCP). If you don’t have a PCP, you’ll need to select one before making your appointment (and remember, you can change your PCP at any time for any reason). Here’s what you need to know:

• Plan ahead. Appointments for routine checkups need to be made ahead of time. If you are sick or hurt, we can schedule an appointment with our Urgent Care Service.
• Call your PCP’s office directly to make the appointment. Or if you have a HealthELife account, you can request an appointment online.

If you are sick or injured (sick visit)

Call us at 617-253-4481, day or night. Describe your symptoms in detail, so we can give you advice about what to do next. Our Urgent Care Service is open 8 a.m.–8 p.m., Monday–Friday and 10 a.m.– 4 p.m., Saturdays and Sundays.

Student Mental Health and Counseling Services

Student Mental Health and Counseling Services is available for telehealth visits only. To make an appointment, call 617-253-2916 during regular weekday hours. You’ll speak with one of our clinicians to briefly discuss your concerns. Then we’ll make an appointment for you with a clinician who is appropriate for your needs.

Vaccinations

You can get most routine vaccinations at MIT Medical. Depending on your insurance coverage, you may have a copay or receive a bill when you get a vaccination. To make an appointment for a vaccination, call the Primary Care Service at 617-258-9355, or call your PCP’s office directly.

Eye Care

The MIT Eye Service is now seeing certain patients for onsite visits. Appointments are scheduled several weeks in advance. To create the safest possible environment, fewer people will be in the clinic, and appointments will be scheduled to allow thorough cleaning between exams. To schedule an appointment, call 617-258-9768. For urgent eye issues, call us 24 hours a day at 617-253-1311.

The Eye Service is open to all MIT students and all employees and their family members who are covered by an MIT-sponsored health plan — either the MIT Traditional Health Plan or the MIT Choice Plan. Depending on your insurance coverage, you may have a copay or other charges associated with your appointment.

MIT Optical, our full-service optical shop, offers eyewear and frame repairs to the entire MIT community.

Mammograms

To schedule your mammogram, call 617-253-4905. Mammograms are available to patients with an MIT Medical primary care provider. No copay or referral is necessary.

Other medical specialties, including radiology

If your PCP has given you a referral, or if no referral is required, call the service directly to schedule your appointment. Eligibility, referral requirements, and insurance coverage may vary depending on the service. 

Sick notes

MIT Medical does not provide sick notes or medical excuses for classes, academic work, or exams. If you have an injury or illness that has impacted your studies, contact:

• Undergraduate Students: Student Support Services, 617-253-4861
• Graduate Students: Office of the Dean for Graduate Education, 617-253-4860

If Student Support Services or the Office of the Dean for Graduate Education contacts us, MIT Medical can confirm that your medical excuse is legitimate, but we will not share any specific medical information without your permission. Student Support Services or the Office of the Dean for Graduate Education can help you communicate with your professors, instructors, teaching assistants, or academic departments.

Referrals

A referral is a formal request from an MIT provider asking the MIT Health Plans Office to approve services outside of MIT Medical. Your provider will tell you that they are submitting a referral request for you to receive services outside of MIT Medical. Your clinician may refer you to a specific outside clinician or facility, or you may need to work with MIT Medical’s Referral Office to identify an appropriate in-network provider and make your first appointment. Depending on the appointment, MIT Medical’s Referral Office may schedule your appointment for you.

For more information about referrals, read our Referral FAQ or contact the Referral Office directly at medreferrals@mit.edu or 617-253-0170.

Dental

You may schedule routine dental visits by calling 617-253-1501.

For dental emergencies, call 617-253-1311. Our dentists are on call to provide advice after hours and on weekends. For an emergency, we will refer you to the Massachusetts General Hospital emergency room or see you ourselves as soon as possible. Most hospital emergency rooms do not treat dental problems such as chipped teeth, dental pain, lost crowns or fillings, or broken dentures.

MIT Medical’s Dental Service is available to the whole MIT community. Call 617-253-1501 to find out if we accept your dental insurance. If not, you may need to pay for services and submit a claim to your insurance company after your appointment.

I’m not sure what kind of appointment I need…

Just call us at 617-253-4481. We will direct you to the appropriate service to get the care you need. Triage nurses are available by phone 24 hours a day, every day of the year, including weekends and holidays.