Health Services

Transportation options for students in Indianola and the surrounding area.

HIRTA

• Buses are available for rides scheduled one day in advance and for door-to-door rides.
• Visit their website, call 1-877-686-0029, or email erides@ridehirta.com

DART Bus Lines

• Once in Des Moines, the buses are available as early as 5:45 AM and as late as 11:30 PM.
• Visit the website to plan your route.

Taxi Cab Services

• Taxis are available 24/7, 365 days a year, or by appointment.
• Yellow Cab Company: 515-243-1111
• The most current rates can be found here.

Uber and Lyft Services

• Download the UBER app (Apple, Google) and schedule a ride.
• Download the Lyft app (Apple, Google) and schedule a ride.

Students needing special or emergency care should utilize the hospitals in the Des Moines area.  Des Moines Hospitals include UnityPoint, MercyOne, and Broadlawns Medical Center.   All hospital services are at the student’s expense.

The Office of Student Development (515-961-1306) should be notified when an extended illness, hospitalization, or family emergency occurs.  Student Development will begin notifying the student’s faculty and other college personnel.  When a minor illness causes a student to miss class, they must notify their instructors of the reason for the absence.  It is also the student’s responsibility to make up the work missed during any class absence.

Free STI and HIV testing is available at Health Services every 3rd Tuesday of the month from 1:00 to 3:00, starting in September and running through April. Walk-ins are welcome. Additional limited STI testing is available at Health Services free of charge, but appointments are required (email healthservices@simpson.edu). Other testing can be done in Des Moines at Polk County Public Health.

A yearly physical exam is recommended for all students.  All athletes must receive a sports physical and submit completed forms to the athletic department’s electronic health records system. NCAA regulations require that the athletic physical exam be dated within 12 months of the athlete’s first scheduled practice. Athletes will not be able to practice or participate if their physical has expired (12 months or more).

Simpson College developed the following Tuberculosis Testing Policy under the guidelines from the American College Health Association.

Simpson College highly recommends that students and college personnel traveling to high-risk areas of the world complete a TB test within 8 to 10 weeks after leaving the high-incidence area.  Areas of high incidence and local testing resources can be found on the “TB Screening Form.”

Health Insurance 

Simpson College requires all Intercollegiate Student Athletes (not intramural students) to provide proof of health insurance.  All other students are strongly encouraged to have health insurance and carry their insurance cards with them to access local medical care.

Intercollegiate Student Athletes

• Intercollegiate Student Athletes must submit a copy of their insurance card and complete forms through Athletics’ electronic records system before August 1.  Instructions and a checklist can be found on the athletics website here. For questions, please contact Rebekah Kimzey.
• Simpson College does not provide health insurance for traditional students.  If students need to purchase health insurance, they can view options at the Marketplace.
• It is recommended that students or parents call their insurance provider to check for In-Network providers in the Indianola/Des Moines area, especially if the insurance carrier is based out of state.
• Out-of-state Medicaid policies will NOT work in the state of Iowa. Please reapply for Iowa Medicaid so students are covered while living in Iowa.

International Students 

• International Students must provide annual proof that they have appropriate health insurance while studying in the United States. If you are unsure what constitutes “appropriate” coverage or need help securing health insurance, please contact John Cardamone for assistance. Students without appropriate health insurance will be enrolled and billed for a plan, which will be added to their student account to ensure compliance.
• International Athletes must submit a copy of their insurance card upon arrival at Simpson College and fill out forms through the Athletics’ electronic records system. Instructions and a checklist can be found on the athletics website.

Parent Information

There are many things to consider when preparing to send your student to college.  Be sure to include supplies and resources for health issues on your list.  Below are some suggestions to make that first experience with illness or injury away from home go more smoothly.

A basic first aid kit should include over-the-counter medications that may be needed, such as pain and fever medicine (Ibuprofen or Tylenol), cold, cough, and decongestant medicine, antibiotic ointment, hydrocortisone cream, Band-Aids, and more. A basic supply of the same preparations your student is accustomed to using at home will be appropriate for use at college.

Prepare prescription medications.

Bring an adequate supply and a refill prescription for local use if needed. Local pharmacies include Hy-Vee, Medicap, Walgreens, and Wal-Mart. Hy-Vee Pharmacy and Medicap may deliver depending on the class of prescription medication.

Talk about daily medications.

If students are taking medications regularly, summertime (or sooner) is a good time to teach them independence.  Instructing them on what the medication is for, when to take it, and how to get refills is an important life skill that will help your student succeed in college.  A pillbox or phone app may help your student remember to take medications as directed.

Glasses and contacts: update prescriptions and an adequate supply of disposable contacts if applicable.

Make an action plan.

Review with your student a plan of action if they become ill or injured.  A solid first step in your plan is to be evaluated by the Health Service staff. Staff will assist students in sorting through illness and injury and make appropriate referrals as needed.

Chronic illness – For students attending college with a chronic illness, it is recommended to find a local provider if the home provider is not within a comfortable driving distance.  Local medical providers can be found on the HS home page. 

Communication – Students are responsible for communicating with their professors if illness or injury prevents them from attending class.

Complete health form.

Complete the Health Form and return it to Health Services by August 1 for the Fall Semester and December 1 for the Spring Semester.  Health forms can be found on the HS home page.

Get required immunizations.

Arrange for any remaining immunizations or boosters over the summer. Your local provider, county public health office, or pharmacy can provide immunizations.

Required Immunizations

• MMR (Measles, Mumps, and Rubella) – 2 doses
• DTP (Diphtheria/Tetanus/Pertussis) – within the past 10 years
• Meningococcal (MenACWY)
• Hepatitis B
• Varicella (chickenpox)

Highly Recommended Immunizations

• COVID-19
• Meningococcal B
• Hepatitis A
• HPV (Human Papilloma Virus)

Acne
Acne in College

Alcohol
Physiology
Alcohol/Edu
Binge Drinking
College Binge Drinking  

Asthma/Allergies
American Lung Association
Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America

College Health and Safety
MedlinePlus

Dental Health
American Dental Association
Find a Dentist

E-cigarettes and Vaping
American Lung Association
Cancer.net

Eating Disorders
National Eating Disorders Association

Gambling
College Gambling Resource

General Health links
WEBMD
Mayo Clinic
American College Health Association

HIV testing
Polk County Public Health

Hospitals in Des Moines and West Des Moines
MercyOne Des Moines
MercyOne West Des Moines
Unity Point Des Moines
Unity Point West Des Moines

Immunizations
CDC

Influenza
CDC

Insurance
Marketplace

LGBT
One Iowa
Men with Men
Women with Women

Marijuana
Drug Abuse
Truth About Marijuana
Marijuana and the Brain

Meningitis
CDC

MRSA
Resistant Staph Infection

Men’s Health
Men’s Health

Nutrition
Vegetarian Diet
American Dietetic Association
Choose My Plate

Public Health Services
Warren County Public Health
Polk County Public Health

Sexual Health
Sexually Transmitted Infections
National Testing Resources
Planned Parenthood Safer Sex

Skin Health
Skin Check
American Academy of Dermatology

STD/STI
Polk County

Tanning
Dangers of tanning

Tattoos & Piercing
About Tattoos

Tobacco
Smoking and Tobacco use
Cancer.net

Transportation
HIRTA Bus
DART Bus Lines
Taxi Cab Services
Download the UBER app (Apple, Google) and schedule a ride.
Download the Lyft app (Apple, Google) and schedule a ride.

Travel
Center for Disease Control/Travel
Travel Health Online

Women’s Health
Healthy Women
Prevent Cervical Cancer with Vaccine