After reaching the conclusion that the only way to fix Hudson Health Center is to raise more money, Ohio University's division of Student Affairs is introducing a $40 health fee this fall that they have started advertising around campus.
Hudson will begin charging students' private insurers for services in Fall 2008 as well as a co-payment, which students can avoid by paying the $40 fee. Office visits, lab testing and X-rays will cost students $15 out of pocket and individual counseling will cost $20 per visit after the first free visit with group counseling totaling $50 per quarter. Paying the $40-fee, dubbed the WellBeing plan, eliminates co-payments.
Anytime people perceive they have to pay more they're going to ask questions
said Char Kopchick, the director of Health Promotion. The Bursar's office agreed that they had gotten a lot of calls about the fee, but no more than usual for a new fee.
Students currently face no co-pays for office visits, but are charged for lab work, X-rays and counseling sessions. Student general fee dollars cover most of the costs of office visits.
Kent Smith, vice president for Student Affairs, said that a review from an independent consultant last year sparked the idea for the WellBeing plan.
At no surprise to us we were under-funded and understaffed Smith said. Plans to revamp Hudson began immediately and along with them a new payment plan.
Hudson-related complaints are common but offering new services isn't free, Kopchick said.
When you want more things
the money has to come from somewhere
Kopchick said, adding that she was initially opposed to the new fee.
Kopchick said she was persuaded when she saw the full business plan and was assured the money made from the new plan would be used to make the changes to Hudson that students had specifically requested.
The extra money will pay for extra hours, including at least one evening and weekend in the first year, 24/7 crisis intervention ' at any time a student can call Hudson with any health question ' two new full-time psychologists, an additional nurse practitioner and increased psychiatric care hours.
Every student on the Athens campus is automatically signed up for the plan, which is waivable in the same way a student can waive health insurance or the student legal services fee.
Smith said Student Affairs anticipates 40 percent of students will opt into the WellBeing plan, a number derived from the 60 percent participation in the student legal services fee.
Regardless of opting in or out
if appointments remain constant
we're fine
Smith said. It just means people will have to pay the co-pay.
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