UCI Student Health Center now offers online “Self-Directed” Basic Testing for STI’s (sexually transmitted infections). An appointment with a SHC provider is not required prior to requesting the STI testing. However, depending upon the results of the testing, an appointment with a SHC provider may be necessary to discuss results and treatment options.
Please read the information on this webpage carefully. If you are ready to order the testing online, then please follow the instructions at the bottom of this page.
- Is self-directed STI testing right for you? Be informed and take a moment to review the process and the information below.
- This program allows you to order tests online for some of the most common sexually transmitted infections without an appointment. It is intended for screening only and should not be used if you have symptoms.
- You may be requesting testing too soon if you have had a new partner recently. HIV antibody results take up to 4 weeks to become accurate; gonorrhea/chlamydia 1-2 weeks, and syphilis 4 weeks. If you are unsure, you can schedule an appointment with a clinician to determine which tests are right for you.
- This screening will not test for all STIs and may not be adequate depending upon your sexual practices. To assess your risk, we recommend using a risk tool such as STD Wizard to find out what you should be tested for based upon your sexual practices. Also, you may first want to schedule an appointment with one of our clinicians to discuss your needs.
- The Student Health Center is required by law to report the diagnoses of Syphilis, Chlamydia, Gonorrhea, and HIV to the communicable Disease Office of the Orange County Health Care Agency.
IMPORTANT NOTICE
If you have symptoms and/or concerns regarding an exposure within the past week (such as a broken condom), or if you (or someone you know) have been the victim of an assault, you should NOT use the STI Online Screening Program as other testing or treatment may be needed and other campus resources are also available to assist you. Please call the UCI Student Health Center appointment line immediately at 949-824-5304 to schedule an appointment to see one of our providers. For victims of sexual assault, the UCI Campus Assault Resources & Education (CARE) office is available to provide assistance. Contact the CARE office at 949-824-7273. For medical or life-threatening emergencies, please call 911 or the UCI Police Department at 949-824-5222.
- Need more information? Visit the Centers for Disease Control website:
- Did you know….
- Student Health Center also offers PrEP (HIV Pre-exposure Prophylaxis). To schedule an appointment with an SHC provider to discuss PrEP or any other sexual health related matter, call SHC’s appointment line at 949-824-5304. For more information regarding PrEP, visit: https://www.cdc.gov/hiv/basics/prep.html
- Cost information:
- For students on UC SHIP:
- There is no fee for using the online STI Screening Program (i.e., submitting an online request for STI testing).
- STI testing by SHC’s Lab is 100% covered since it is a preventive care service. There is no coinsurance payment required whether self-ordered online or by a SHC provider.
- If you schedule an appointment with a SHC provider to discuss STI’s and/or related test results, then there would be no office visit co-payment required since it would be considered a preventive care service.
- There is no limit to the # of STI tests that you may undergo during an academic (i.e., “plan”) year. However, as with any health insurance plan, diagnostic tests ordered by a provider must be based upon medical necessity.
- For students with health insurance other than UC SHIP:
- There is no fee for using the online STI Screening Program (i.e., submitting an online request for STI testing).
- There are fees for the actual STI lab testing performed by SHC’s Lab. These fees will be charged to your campus billing account (Zot Account) whether requested online by you or ordered by a SHC provider.
- If you schedule an appointment with a SHC provider to discuss STI’s and/or related test results, then the fees associated with that office visit will be charged to your campus billing account (Zot Account).
- If you have an HMO plan (e.g., Kaiser, Sutter Health) or Medi-Cal/Cal Optima, then you will likely not receive reimbursement for any routine, non-urgent and/or preventive care services rendered by SHC.
- SHC does not bill any health insurance plans other than UC SHIP.
- For a listing of Lab fees associated with STI testing, please visit Fees for Common Services.
- For students on UC SHIP:
- Next steps:
If you are ready to proceed with online self-directed STI testing, then follow these instructions:
- Log onto the Student Health Patient Portal
- Select "Messages" from the left navigation bar
- Click on “New Message”
- Select “I want to request services and/or orders from the Student Health Center” and click “Continue”
- Select the “STI Self-Ordering Testing” option
- Before submitting your secure message on the patient portal to request STI testing, you will be prompted to attest that you have read and understand the information shown above. For your reference, this information also appears on the portal.