Health Fee

University Health Services is funded primarily by a student health fee. Students enrolled in four or more semester hours are automatically charged the fee by the university. Those taking fewer than four hours may choose to pay the health fee to receive the same benefits, and many do so.

The health fee is currently $83.00 for Fall and Spring Semesters and $41.00 for Summer semester. This allows students unlimited visits to the University Health Center during the semester for examination, diagnosis, and treatment by one of our highly qualified staff.

University Health Services does not charge patients for laboratory tests and x-rays that one of our clinicians (i.e., physicians or nurse practitioners) considers medically necessary. As a result, the vast majority of patients are asked to pay no additional charges upon their visit to the University Health Center.

Supplemental Charges

There are minimal charges for a small number of services, which are generally elective. Patients ask for these services at the front desk, pay the appropriate charge, and the service is then administered.

Vaccinations: These are various vaccinations such as meningitis; hepatitis A & B; measles, mumps, rubella; flu, pneumonia, and so forth

Physical Examinations: These are certain elective physical examinations that are known to require specific laboratory tests. One example is our women’s health physical exam that entails a basic bank of lab tests. There is a nominal charge for these tests, which is payable in advance of the examination. Students are informed of this cost at the time they schedule an appointment.

Unnecessary Tests: These are laboratory tests that are requested by a patient but are not considered medically necessary by our clinician. For example, if a patient requests a pregnancy test and the clinician does not feel it is necessary, the patient has the option to proceed with the test by paying a small fee.

More Expensive Option: These are situations in which the patient insists on a more expensive procedure than is otherwise available.

Other Providers: These include laboratory tests that are ordered for the patient by another healthcare provider.

Pharmacy / Prescriptions

University Health Services contracts with a local pharmacist to operate the pharmacy located in the University Health Center. The pharmacy provides medications prescribed by our clinicians as well as other providers. Payment for prescriptions is due at the time they are filled. The pharmacy accepts cash, VISA, MasterCard, Discover, and American Express. They can also file claims for patients on many health insurance plans.

Students may also have prescriptions filled at any other pharmacy of their choice. If they do not wish to use the University Health Center pharmacy, students should inform one of our staff. All expenses related to prescriptions, whether filled at the University Health Center pharmacy or elsewhere, are the responsibility of the student.

Emergency Care

For medical emergencies, contact the Bulloch County Emergency Medical Service (EMS), regardless of the time of day or night. Dial 9-911 if using a campus telephone or 911 if using an off-campus telephone. Georgia Southern Public Safety may also be contacted at 478-5234 in case of emergencies. The Emergency Room of East Georgia Regional Medical Center is located a short distance from Georgia Southern University on Fair Road in Statesboro. All expenses related to emergency care are the responsibility of the student.

Other Healthcare Providers

Students are encouraged to utilize the University Health Center for their basic healthcare needs. They may choose, however, to seek medical care from other providers. We also refer patients to medical specialists as necessary. All expenses related to care from other healthcare providers are the responsibility of the student.

Health Insurance

Health Services, through a partnership with Highland Campus Health Group has entered in contractual relationships with all of the major health insurance provider networks and will file insurance claims, which includes an Explanation of Benefits (EOB) that will be sent to student/parent insurance enrollees. Through these efforts there will be a reduction in current ancillary service fees (e.g. lab, medical supplies, women’s health). It will also ensure that insured student/parent plans will cover pharmacy and specialty care services. Health Services will collect ONLY what the student/parent insurance plan will pay. Some students may have medical conditions that require a referral to other healthcare providers or specialists for consultation or treatment. All expenses related to the medical services of referred providers are the responsibility of the student.

Students are encouraged to maintain health insurance coverage. For those no longer covered by their parent’s policy, a Student Accident and Sickness Insurance Plan is available. The plan is a Georgia University System wide plan designed to provide affordable coverage for students who are uninsured or underinsured. Students may purchase the plan to cover themselves as well as their spouse and dependent children. Applications may be obtained by contacting Health Services at 681 5641 or by accessing plan information via the Health Services website link: http://services.georgiasouthern.edu/health/insurance.php. Health Services provides its services, programs, and products regardless of a students insurance plan or lack of insurance.

Health Fee

The health fee is generally not covered by health insurance plans but parents / students are encouraged to check with their particular plan for a definitive answer.

Supplemental Charges

Most patients who visit the University Health Center have no additional charges beyond the health fee they have already paid. University Health Services charges for only a few services and we keep those charges as low as possible. As a result, University Health Services does not file insurance claims. We do provide a detailed statement for patients who wish to file an insurance claim for themselves

Pharmacy / Prescriptions

The pharmacy files insurance claims for patients on many plans. Students should check with the pharmacist on duty at the time of their visit to determine whether their plan is among those accepted. Students and parents may also call the pharmacy at 912-478-0807 to discuss insurance plans.

Quite frankly, we do not know because we have not examined, diagnosed, or treated all Georgia Southern Students. As a result, we turn to national and state statistics. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Georgia Department of Human Resources (GDHR) provide national and state information regarding STDs and HIV rates.

According to the CDC, “more than 65 million people (in the U.S.) are currently living with an incurable sexually transmitted disease (STD). An additional 15 million people become infected with one or more STDs each year, roughly half of whom contract lifelong infections (Cates, 1999).”

These statistics indicate that about one in four U.S. Citizens has an incurable STD. Students are urged to avoid becoming that ONE by practicing abstinence or by developing safer sex practices, if they choose to participate in sexual activity. For more information, please visit the CDC Web site at www.cdc.gov or the GDHR Web site at www.dhr.state.ga.us.

Vaccinations Required & Recommended

The list of immunizations for new students entering colleges and universities in the University System of Georgia has recently been updated by Board of Regents. The new BOR Policy, 408.02 – Immunization Requirements for Students, is effective January 2005. The purpose of this policy is to ensure that students are protected against communicable diseases that are vaccine preventable and to reduce the likelihood of an epidemic or threatened epidemic on a USG campus.

Required immunizations for 2004 include: Measles, Mumps, and Rubella (MMR); and for residents of University Housing, acknowledgement of vaccination against Meningococcal disease, or acknowledgement of information received about Meningococcal disease and declined offer to be vaccinated.

Required Immunizations for 2005

In addition to MMR and Meningococcal acknowledgement, are: Tetanus-Diphtheria, Varicella (chickenpox), required of all new students; and Hepatitis B (three doses of vaccine or positive Hepatitis surface antibody), required of all students who are 18 years of age or younger. University Health Services also requires International Students to be screened for Tuberculosis.

In addition to the required immunizations, University Health Services recommends and encourages all students to be immunized against Meningitis, Hepatitis B, Hepatitis A, Varicella (Chicken Pox), Tetanus-Diphtheria (Td), and Polio and be tested for Tuberculosis (TB).

For more information about Meningitis ,visit the American College Health Association (ACHA) Web site at www.acha.org and/or the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Web site at www.cdc.gov .