Douglas Olsen
There are various ways to pay for services at a student health center, depending on the institution. Some universities include a health fee in the tuition, which covers the cost of general office visits, while students are responsible for the cost of additional services such as lab work, immunizations, injections, and physical therapy. Students can use their health insurance or pay out-of-pocket for these additional services. Certain student health centers also offer prompt pay discounts and good faith estimates of costs to keep healthcare affordable. Students without insurance are expected to pay for services in full at the time of service.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Who can use the Student Health Center? | All community members, including students, faculty, and staff. |
| When is payment due? | Payment is due at the time of service, but students are not required to pay on the day services are rendered. |
| How to pay? | Students can pay at the Student Health Center on the day of service or through their student account bill. Faculty and staff must pay in full on the day of service. |
| Insurance | Students should provide insurance information prior to their visit. The Student Health Center does not bill private or public health insurance plans except for the university-sponsored Student Health Insurance Plan (SHIP). Self-pay students may be offered prompt pay discounted prices. |
| Additional charges | There may be additional charges for lab work, immunizations, injections, x-rays, physical therapy, and durable medical goods. |
| Billing inquiries | Students can contact the Business Office, Insurance Office, or call a designated number for billing and insurance-related questions. |
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What You'll Learn
Payment methods and billing
University of Tennessee, Knoxville:
The Student Health Center at the University of Tennessee does not require payment on the day of service for students. Students may choose to pay on the day of service or have the remaining balance transferred to the Bursar's office the first Monday following the provision of care. The health center does not bill private or public health insurance plans except for the university-sponsored Student Health Insurance Plan (SHIP). After payment, the health center can provide an itemized statement of charges, which students can submit to their private health insurance plan for reimbursement.
University of Central Florida:
UCF's Student Health Services encourages all students to carry some form of health insurance coverage. Patients are financially responsible for all charges incurred during each visit, whether covered by insurance or not. Out-of-pocket expenses, as determined by the health insurer, are due at the time of service. Uninsured or self-pay patients have the right to receive a Good Faith Estimate of the cost of care before receiving it. Payments can be made over the phone or by visiting the Business Office located on the first floor of the health center.
Texas State University:
The Texas State Student Health Center requires students to provide accurate insurance information before their visit. If students do not want the health center to file a claim with their insurance company, they must notify the Cashier Office at the time of their visit and pay in full for any charges incurred. Self-pay students are offered prompt pay discounted prices, and they have the right to receive a Good Faith Estimate if they schedule in advance or upon request. If there is a remaining balance after insurance processing, it will be billed to the student. Non-payment by the due date will result in the balance being transferred to the student's account, where late fees may apply.
Indiana University Bloomington:
Enrolled students at Indiana University Bloomington can have their charges automatically sent to their student account, which they can pay along with their student account bill. An itemized receipt will be emailed to the student's IU email address a few days after the service. The Student Health Center also offers special perks for full-time students who pay the health fee. However, for certain laboratory testing and services completed by a reference laboratory, the reference lab will bill the student directly, even if the specimen was collected at the Student Health Center.
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Insurance coverage
When it comes to paying for healthcare services at your student health center, understanding your insurance coverage is crucial. Most colleges and universities require students to have health insurance, and they often offer student health insurance plans or have partnerships with insurance providers. Here's a guide to help you navigate insurance coverage for your student health center visits:
- Student Health Insurance Plans (SHIP): Many schools offer comprehensive student health insurance plans that are designed to cover students' medical needs while they are enrolled. These plans typically cover a wide range of services provided at the student health center, including primary care, mental health services, vaccinations, and specialized care. Review the benefits and coverage of your school's SHIP carefully to understand what services are covered and at what rate. There may be different tiers or levels of coverage offered, so choose the plan that best suits your anticipated needs and budget.
- In-Network and Out-of-Network Providers: It's important to understand the difference between in-network and out-of-network healthcare providers. In-network providers have agreed to provide services at a discounted rate for your insurance plan, so you'll typically pay less out of pocket when seeking care from these providers. Out-of-network providers have not entered into a contract with your insurance company, so they may charge higher fees, and you may be responsible for a larger portion of the bill. Check if your student health center is considered in-network for your insurance plan to maximize your benefits.
- Covered Services: Familiarize yourself with the specific services that are covered by your insurance plan. This can include routine check-ups, sick visits, mental health counseling, prescription medications, X-rays, laboratory tests, and more. Understanding your covered benefits will help you anticipate any out-of-pocket costs and make informed decisions about seeking care. Remember that even within covered services, there may be varying levels of coverage, such as co-pays or coinsurance, depending on the type of service.
- Prior Authorizations and Referrals: Some insurance plans require prior authorization or a referral from your primary care provider before you can access certain specialized services or see specific providers. This is done to ensure medical necessity and manage costs. If prior authorization or a referral is required and not obtained, your insurance company may deny coverage for that particular service or provider. Check with your insurance carrier or review your plan documents to understand if prior authorizations or referrals are necessary for certain types of care.
- Out-of-Pocket Costs: Even with insurance coverage, you may still incur out-of-pocket expenses such as copayments, coinsurance, or deductibles. A copayment is a fixed amount you pay for a covered service, while coinsurance is a percentage of the cost that you share with your insurance company. Deductibles are the amount you must pay out of pocket before your insurance benefits kick in. Understanding these costs will help you budget for any healthcare expenses and make informed decisions about seeking treatment.
By understanding your insurance coverage, you can make the most of your student health center benefits and ensure that you are getting the care you need while managing your healthcare expenses effectively. Remember to carry your insurance card with you whenever you visit the student health center, as this will be required to process your insurance claim.
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Self-pay options
If you do not have health insurance, you are considered a self-pay patient. In this case, you will be responsible for paying for all services in full at the time of service. You have the right to receive a Good Faith Estimate of how much your care will cost before receiving it. You can also request a prompt pay discount, which is offered to self-pay students to keep healthcare costs affordable.
If you have health insurance but choose not to use it, you will also be responsible for paying for all charges incurred. You must notify the Student Health Center Cashier Office at the time of your visit and pay in full for any charges incurred at the time of service.
Payment methods accepted include your student account, cash, check, health savings accounts, and credit/debit cards.
If you are unable to pay at the time of service, you may be able to set up a payment plan or have your balance transferred to your student account. However, late fees may apply, and a hold may be placed on your account if you do not pay by the due date.
It is important to note that even if you are a self-pay patient, you may still be eligible to receive discounted rates for some services. Additionally, students with urgent medical needs who cannot pay will not be refused necessary treatments.
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Discounts and reimbursements
University of Connecticut (UConn)
UConn's Student Health and Wellness (SHaW) uses a fee-for-service billing model, where students must bring their student ID, medical insurance card, and prescription insurance card to each visit. Students with Medicaid coverage are urged to complete a waiver before the Student Health Insurance Plan (SHIP) effective date to avoid claims being paid by UConn SHIP and subsequently being responsible for reimbursing SHIP for the costs.
Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT)
RIT's Student Health Center does not bill insurance companies directly but provides students with a receipt for a single-visit fee, which can be submitted to their insurance company for reimbursement consideration. However, not all insurance companies reimburse single-visit fees, and they do not reimburse the full Student Health Services Fee.
Harvard University
Harvard University's Student Health Insurance Plan (SHIP) members can take advantage of exclusive savings through Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts (BCBSMA). SHIP is a PPO plan administered by BCBSMA, and choosing a provider in the "BCBS PPO network" helps keep out-of-pocket costs lower than using out-of-network providers. Additionally, BCBSMA offers a weight loss reimbursement benefit of up to $150 toward fees paid for a qualified weight-loss program.
University of Tennessee, Knoxville (UTK)
UTK's Student Health Center does not specify any discounts or reimbursements. However, it is accredited by the Accreditation Association of Ambulatory Health Care (AAAHC), and students with the UT Student Health Insurance Plan are advised to visit the on-campus Student Health Center first, as nearly all services are covered 100% by the plan.
Texas State University
Texas State University's Student Health Center offers prompt pay discounted prices to uninsured or out-of-network students (considered self-pay). Students with urgent medical needs who cannot pay will not be denied necessary treatments, and self-pay patients have the right to request a Good Faith Estimate.
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Outstanding balances
Students are responsible for paying any charges incurred at each visit to the Student Health Center, regardless of whether they are covered by health insurance or not. All out-of-pocket expenses as determined by the health insurer are due at the time of service. If you do not have insurance, you are responsible for paying for all services in full at the time of service.
At some universities, students may pay at the Student Health Center on the day of service. If services are not paid for on the day they are provided, the remaining balance will be sent to the Bursar's office the first Monday following the provision of care. This means the debt must be paid to the Bursar's office.
Failure to pay outstanding balances may result in a hold on your account, which could delay registration for classes or even graduation. It may also impede your ability to schedule future appointments at the Student Health Center.
If you are unable to pay your outstanding balance in full, you may be able to set up a monthly payment plan with a third-party billing company or a collection agency.
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Frequently asked questions
Students can pay for their visit to the Student Health Center by using their health insurance coverage or paying out-of-pocket. The Student Health Center does not require payment on the day of service, but students may choose to pay on the day. If not paid on the day, the remaining balance will be sent to the Bursar's office the first Monday following the provision of care.
Uninsured or self-pay students will be considered responsible for all charges incurred at each visit and will be offered prompt pay discounted prices to keep healthcare costs affordable. Students with urgent medical needs who cannot pay will not be refused necessary treatments.
If you do not want the Student Health Center to file a claim with your insurance company, you must notify the Student Health Center Cashier Office at the time of your visit and pay in full for any charges incurred. After paying, you can request an itemized statement of charges from the Student Health Center and submit this to your insurance company requesting reimbursement.
