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Dear Blazer Family,

Please read the following information regarding students who receive care from Student Health Services (SHS) about a change to how students pay for health care on campus — a change that must happen so UAB can sustain the volume and quality of medical care it provides.

Universities across the nation are challenged to provide high-quality health care for students in the face of rising demand at a cost that students and the institution can afford. UAB is no different, and we must adapt.

Beginning fall 2023, Student Health Services will collect a traditional co-pay and any patient-responsibility costs (as determined by your insurer) for primary care services provided to students who are not covered by the Student Health Insurance Plan provided by UnitedHealthcare Student Resources.

Students covered by the Student Health Insurance Plan provided by UnitedHealthcare Student Resources are exempt from the co-payment and other patient costs because the fee is part of the negotiated rate for the annual premium. This exemption applies only to covered services and/or care performed and/or ordered by an SHS clinician that are received at the Student Health Clinic, including labs, X-rays and lab studies ordered by a SHS clinician that are sent to Quest Labs for processing. All other care and services provided outside of Student Health Services will be subject to the co-payment and other patient-responsibility costs as determined by UnitedHealthcare Student Resources.

Despite UAB’s annual investment of $2.7 million, Student Health Services is projecting operating deficits as the use of campus health services increases along with increases in the cost of providing care. In recent years, Student Health has expanded services to meet demand. Clinic visits for direct care have increased 40 percent to 16,869 since the 2015/16 academic year, and demand for all services increased nearly 17 percent to 31,992.

During the past year, a SHS Funding Model Task Force of students, staff and faculty was asked to assess the current and projected cost of health care and recommend the financial model that would enable SHS to sustain and continue to deliver accessible, comprehensive care on campus.

Ultimately, we cannot maintain the current model that provides access to general SHS office visits with no out-of-pocket costs without also cutting services to students. This change will enable us to remain committed to offering the quality, comprehensive and accessible care our students deserve, including treatment of illness and injury, immunizations, labs and radiology, preventive care, allergy care, reproductive health, mental health, and more. It also aligns UAB’s practices with those of other public institutions in the state, including The University of Alabama, Auburn University and Troy University.

We encourage students to use all available services to help them embrace healthy behaviors, prevent illness, and seek treatment for any ailment that affects their mental and physical health.

It is important to remember that there are no deductibles, co-pays or co-insurance applied for preventive services, including but not limited to gynecologic exams, routine screenings and immunizations, when received from a Preferred Provider for your insurance carrier. A complete list of the services provided for specific age and risk groups is online at healthcare.gov/preventive-care-benefits/.

Our clinic is open Monday through Friday during regular office hours. Same-day appointments often are available, and more than one-third of students are seen in clinic within 24 hours of booking an appointment. On-call physicians are available evenings and weekends, and telemedicine services also are offered for safety and convenience.

For more information, click here for answers to Frequently Asked Questions.

Sincerely,

Michael B. Faircloth, M.D.

Medical and Laboratory Director

Student Health and Wellness

Rebecca Kennedy, Ph.D.

Assistant VP for Student Health and Wellbeing

Office of Student Affairs