I know that schools offer medical insurance to their students. However, I am curious on how the process works. Do we have to pay a deductible? Are there clinics and doctors offices on campus? Or local ones that students are referred to?
Also, how do you handle prescriptions? I have heard of some students getting the prescriptions filled for a 6 month supply at their hometown pharmacy. Does anyone have experience with this?
I stayed on my dad’s medical insurance. Yes, there should be a doctors office on campus, however, its for minor things like sprained ankles and colds. If you need speciality care you’d have to go to a larger medical facility. My school provided a list of doctors and hospitals nearby for every student. Campus Safety also has a protocol for medical emergencies. I think some schools can dispense prescriptions for you, but for me I had to drive to a local CVS to pick up mine. If you would want something filled for that long you would have to arrange that through your doctor.
This will really vary. At my son’s school, a big U, the policy they offer is available to peruse on line so check there first. Otherwise you’ll want to deal directly with the individual school to get the correct info.
Most large U’s have onsite medical clinics, Many are supported by the U and included in student fees, although some things may required a surcharge - things like X-rays, allergy injections (think my son pays $6), pap smears. Have never tried to turn those charges into our insurance, it may be possible. The health center pharmacy will fill any prescription but don’t know how competitive the prices are. Again, check with each individual school.
There are also many urgent care and special docs available in the college town, and students will use those. I’d strongly suggest your student learn how to check and see if the doctor/urgent care/ ER facility are considered in network for their insurance plan, whether it be one through the school or your family plan. This can obviously save you a lot of $$ and hassle!
We use CVS for prescriptions and their computer system is linked to all CVS pharmacy locations. My son can get refills at the CVS in his college town, they have his prescriptions and insurance info there on file in the computer so it’s easy to do. I’d suggest looking at that option if the college town gives you that choice.
Medical care at schools breaks down into two parts. The first is a campus health center that is funded by mandatory student fees. The range of services vary depending on the school. Most are meant to treat simple medical issue such as the flu. The second is basically a private insurance policy that is offer by the school and sold by a private insurance company. That policy will be like any other health insurance policy. It will have networks of doctors, co-pays and deductibles. It can be a great policy or a poor one. Everyone is different.
As for prescriptions it can vary. The campus health center might have a small pharmacy to fill basic prescriptions. If it is a large state school, it might have a large pharmacy that cover most drugs. It varies. If you take medicines regularly, then you could ask your doctors to write prescriptions for a three month supply. A lot of pharmacy will mail your prescription to you. Often for free.
As for doctors and clinics, unless the school has a hospital on campus ( like a medical school), you will be going off campus for anything that the campus health center cannot handle. Most campus health centers are not set up to act as your primary doctor.
Every school is different, every plan is different. Up until college, my D was on my husband’s self-insurance plan. For about $50.00 more a year in premiums, she gets a much better plan through school, which you DO have to pay for (all students required to have it unless they waive it by proving they have equivalent insurance through an outside provider). Her student health center charges the same amount - $15.00 a visit - whether you have their plan or not. Beyond that is when whatever plan you have kicks in, in terms of what’s covered. It is her primary care facility. The pharmacy is also on site. I believe she did get a multi-month supply - depends up on the insurance company (I’ve tried that for myself - different plan - no go).
Big college towns tend to have service providers close to campus, so referrals to a medical professional outside of the on-campus facility won’t necessarily be far away. Keep in mind that some plans require you to get approval for service through a provider if he/she is more than a certain distance away from the campus (D’s is a 50-mile radius). Something to know if your kid comes home for the summer or break and needs to get medical care.