As the only medical center on campus, the Indiana U. Health Center handles many of the medical concerns of students, faculty and staff throughout the University; however, not all visitors possess insurance accepted by the center.
Dr. Hugh Jessop, IU Health Center executive director, said the center only accepts Aetna Student Health, a health insurance provided in collaboration between the program and IU. Jessop said the decision is due to the variety of insurance companies represented by IU’s diverse and large population.
Because the University serves students from 143 countries and all 50 states, a combination of all of the insurance companies and information would be difficult for the center to manage, Jessop said.
“There is no way to keep up with the insurance companies because of the volume,” Jessop said.
He noted that about 5,000 to 6,000 students are covered by the University-issued plan, and the numbers include more than 20 percent of the student population. Allowing for only one insurance plan is the best way for the health center to manage the insurance information, he said.
Although the center does not accept outside insurance for visits to the clinic, Jessop said most insurance cards are accepted by the pharmacy.
“We only contract with the ones that have the ability to pay for at least the price of the medication,” Jessop said.
Tina Hoffa, a graduate optometry student, said she used the Health Center’s services during her years as an undergraduate student; however, she now tries to go home for doctor appointments. She said paying to visit the health clinic is like paying for the same service twice, while some students paying the fee and never use the service.
According to the Health Center’s website, during the 2009-10 school year the semester health fee was approximately $109.36.
“I think it is ridiculous that they don’t accept American insurance from Indiana,” Hoffa said.
Senior Amy Rosentel said she never thought about the types of insurance that might be accepted at the center.
“The only thing I get there are medications,” Rosentel said.
She said her parents usually take care of her medical bills, so she does not pay much attention to the issue.
Senior George Gutzwiller said he does not notice the insurance policy of the center. After his most recent visit, Gutzwiller said, he billed the expenses to his bursar account and purchased his prescriptions from an off-site store.
“It is unfair that they do not accept all insurance, but I understand that it would be hard to keep track of all the different insurance companies across the map,” he said. “It is good that they are offering cheaper services to students.”