Costs, Insurance, & More
What is the cost of a SHWC visit?
All SHWC charges are put on the student’s account, no payment is due at the time of visit. You do not need private insurance to be seen at the SHWC. There is a $15 visit fee for each appointment (exceptions will be discussed in advance.) Other charges that a student may incur and have placed on their student account are (but not limited to): lab fees, prescription costs, and over-the-counter medications.
How affordable is the care at the SHWC?
Recognizing the economic realities of the students it serves, the SHWC is committed to keeping the cost of care as affordable as possible. Internal fees, which are charged to student accounts, are set to be the most affordable in the area. In rare circumstances, if we are aware a prescription can be purchased elsewhere at lower expense, the student will be advised of this and has the choice to take a prescription to an outside pharmacy or have it filled by us. We are committed to helping our students.
* Students who take less than 4 regular credits (excludes online credits) do have the option to pay the health fee in order to access services at the SHWC.
** CCare is a federal/state reimbursement program that is intended to prevent unintended pregnancies and extend primary medical care services to specific populations. By participating in the CCare program, the SHWC can provide to those eligible, free contraception education, counseling and supplies. Physical exam, education and counseling is a requirement of the program.
How do I know what I am being charged?
You have the right to know charges prior to receiving care and you are encouraged to ask at the time of service. A price list can be viewed in the waiting area however, some of our prices to purchase items will vary. Since we are dedicated to providing the most affordable option to our students, our charges may vary related to our acquisition costs changing.
View the Fee Schedule (PDF).
How do I pay?
Cash is not needed at the time of service or for over-the-counter medicines which are available. All charges are placed directly to the student account, identified only as a health center charge. Privacy laws require that only the student has access to an itemized detail list of charges incurred. Students can request this list or sign a release if they choose to extend this information to a family member.
Why Should I use the SHWC?
The SHWC is an out-patient primary care clinic specializing in college health and provides an integrated model of service addressing both the medical and mental health needs of students. Our staff are tuned into the campus community and recognize the special needs of student stress, schedules, demands, opportunities and successes both personally and academically. Our staff are familiar with campus and community resources and refer frequently. Our professional staff are licensed and board certified. We use physicians, family nurse practitioners, registered nurses, licensed practical nurses and experienced: medial aides, medical office specialists, allied medical providers such as a laboratory director and transcriptionist. Our mental health providers are all licensed and experienced in college mental health services.
What Can Be Accessed at the SHWC?
A wide range of services including:
- Primary Medical/Illness/Injury Treatment and Prevention
- Minor Surgical Procedures
- In-house and Send-out lab testing
- In-house and outside Prescriptions
- Psychiatric Prescribing
- Mental Health Counseling (individual, group, couples, crisis intervention)
- Mental health promotion/suicide prevention
- Drug and Alcohol Services (assessments, counseling, groups, recovery supports)
- CCare Contraceptive Care Services
- Sexual Health Services
- Over-the-Counter store
- Referrals to specialists and coordination of support services
- Preventive care including physicals, immunizations, and education
Does the SHWC provide Contraceptive Care and Annual Exams?
SHWC is proud to participate in a state/federally funded Contraceptive Care Program that offers FREE contraceptive supplies and related preventive exams and medical visits for those eligible. Most SOU students who request this program qualify, and receive this care at no cost. Hundreds of SOU students enjoy this free and easy program! You must be a U.S. Citizen to participate. To comply with Federal and State program regulations, the SHWC has separated contraceptive services and annual exams from its list of services covered by the health fee. This allows SOU students to participate in the free CCare program; however, it changes the billing structure for students who request contraceptive services and do not participate in the program.
CCare Participants: contraceptive care services, including annual exams, are free of charge. If you have private insurance and have no objection, your private insurance will be billed first before CCare is billed. However, you will never personally be charged a fee, a co-pay, or a deductible for any contraceptive services or supplies.
Non-CCare Participants: if you have private insurance, and you have no objection, your private insurance will be billed for contraceptive services and supplies and annual exams. If you do not have private insurance, if you do not want services or supplies billed to insurance, or if you have a deductible which makes you responsible for direct payment, charges will be placed on your SOU student account.
Students may ask for their private insurance not to be billed. Sexually transmitted disease testing at non-CCare visits will be charged to the student account.
How is the Student Health and Wellness Funded?
The Student Health & Wellness Center is required to be financially self-supporting. The SHWC does not receive any state funding and covers cost via the required per term student health fee (for those taking 4 or more regular class credits)*, internal fees for services such as lab, prescriptions, immunizations, procedures, specialty services, and a no-show fee, etc., and from participation in the CCare Program.** There is a $15 per visit fee.
What does the per term health fee pay for?
The per term health fee provides access to all the services (with $15 per visit fee), general medical/counseling visits (with $15 per visit fee). It also pays for the campus wide health education services, education, prevention and intervention materials and events surrounding an array of health related topics, and work related to safety, student support, emergency management and public health services.
Oregon Health Plan
Although the Student Health and Wellness Center is not a preferred provider on the Oregon Health Plan, students with OHP may still access services at the SHWC.
What is MyHealth & how do I use it?
MyHealth is a secure/confidential student portal that can easily be accessed via any device with internet connectivity and your individual SOU log-in and password. Features of MyHealth include: updating personal demographic information, documenting immunization history, secure messaging with providers, and online submission of the Comprehensive Health History Form.
How Do I Use MyHealth?
MyHealth.sou.edu can be used to take care of a number of details electronically.
Update information – You can update personal contact information such as a new phone number or address.
Online Forms – This is where you will find the mandatory Measles Verification Form and the Health History Form requested of all incoming students. The information you submit imports directly into your medical record where it is reviewed by the SHWC staff. Your health history is a way for our staff to get to know you to help ensure we provide you with the highest quality healthcare during your time at SOU.
Immunizations – You must submit proof of measles immunization through the MyHealth Portal.
Secure Messaging – MyHealth has a secure messaging feature that is HIPAA-compliant (email is not HIPAA-compliant) and the SHWC may use MyHealth to communicate with you electronically. Secure messages become a part of your clinical record at the SHWC. Secure messaging is not guaranteed to be read in a timely manner and therefore it should never be used for emergency or urgent purposes! Please contact the SHWC in person or by phone instead.
Education – Download important information or forms, get resources, etc.
Your Privacy – MyHealth.sou.edu is HIPAA compliant and all information is transmitted securely and becomes a part of your confidential health record at the Student Health and Wellness Center. As with any other personal identifying information on the internet, always log out of MyHealth and close your internet browser when you are done using MyHealth to ensure your medical information remains confidential.