Elon University / Today at Elon / Elon Introduces Improvements to Student Health Services

Elon University announced Thursday improvements to undergraduate and graduate health services designed to increase support for health and wellness, a top priority for the university.

The university is launching a new health insurance plan available to full-time and undergraduate students, and is also introducing a new model for on-site student health services that will allow Student Health Services to directly bill insurance for services that students now pay for outside of pocket and offer other benefits. Taken together, these important changes will ensure that effective medical care remains at the forefront of our support for student health and well-being.

Launching a new student health insurance plan

Elon has a long-standing health insurance requirement for all full-time, graduate, and law students. The university has partnered with Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina to offer a student health insurance plan to help students meet this requirement. Plan details can be found on the Student Blue Health Insurance Plan website.

As they prepare for the fall semester, all returning students will need to either confirm their existing health insurance coverage (for example, coverage through a parent/family member’s insurance plan) or enroll in the new student health insurance plan this spring. The new student plan will replace the existing mandatory health insurance plan for international students and will also be available as an optional plan for full-time students with existing plans that do not offer sufficient out-of-network coverage in North Carolina.

All returning students must complete their student health insurance verification or enroll in the new plan by Friday, March 17 – before registering for fall courses. Students must go online to upload a waiver request with documentation of existing health insurance coverage or enroll in the new student health insurance plan.

• For returning students with existing health insurance: Visit the Student Blue Plan website and follow the instructions in the Opt Out section to upload your current health insurance information, including an image of your health insurance card.
• For returning students who do not currently have insurance: If you need insurance coverage to meet the University’s health insurance requirement, visit the Student Blue Plan website and follow the instructions in the Enrollment section to enroll in the fall plan.
• For returning international students: If you are currently enrolled in the international student health insurance plan required by the university, the new Student Blue plan from Blue Cross Blue Shield will replace that plan. Visit the Student Blue Plan website and follow the instructions in the Enrollment section to enroll in the fall plan.
• For students who will study abroad in the fall: While traveling abroad, you will be enrolled in an international health insurance plan as described on the Global Education Center website. Although you are not currently required to demonstrate health insurance coverage in the United States, if you have existing health insurance, you may want to consider visiting the Student Blue Insurance website and following the instructions in the Opt Out section now, so you will be one step closer. little to do in the fall when trying to register for spring classes.
• For students graduating before the fall semester or who will be absent in the fall: No action is required at this time. However, if your fall semester status changes from part-time to full-time, you will be expected to meet the University’s health insurance requirements.

A new model for on-site student health care

The university has renewed its partnership with Cone Health as an on-site provider of student health services at the Ellington Center.

Starting August 1, the university will introduce a new financial model to improve services and ensure the university is able to provide the best possible medical care through standard campus office visits.

Some key features of the change:

• When accessing Student Health Services for a routine office visit, there will continue to be there is no fee to students – they will present their insurance card and services will be billed through their insurance provider. Copayments and deductibles for these services will be covered by the University through the Student Health Fee.
• Beginning August 1, Student Health Services will bill insurance directly for those services that students currently pay out-of-pocket – such as lab costs/tests, procedures, medications and specialist services. Students will only be billed for co-payments or deductibles. The university envisages greater access to psychiatric services and other specialists.
• Medical records will be maintained in MyChart, powered by Epic, beginning August 1, increasing the portability of these records to providers at home.
  The table below provides information on how changes to the financial model for Student Health Services will affect fees or billing processes. These changes do not affect billing practices for off-campus providers.

These new changes with Student Health Insurance and Student Health Services come in addition to the significant investment the University made last summer to expand virtual medical and mental health care through TimelyCare Virtual Services, which offer 24/7 access to medical care on demand or on schedule and mental health services, as well as health coaching and peer support.

Fees and Billing Process Outline

Current practice New model Student Health Services office visits No additional fee for the student – covered by student health fee No additional charge to the student – billed directly to the student insurance and any co-payment or deductible covered by the student health fee Medicines, vaccines, allergy shots The full cost is paid out of the student’s pocket Billed directly to insurance; student is billed only for copayment or deductible Laboratory tests or procedures The full cost is paid out of the student’s pocket Billed directly to insurance; student is billed only for copayment or deductible Psychiatric or other specialty visits (eg, dermatology or allergy exams) The full cost is paid out of the student’s pocket Billed directly to insurance; student is billed only for copayment or deductible On-demand or scheduled visits with TimelyCare – 24/7 virtual medical and mental health care No additional fee for the student – covered by student health fee No additional fee for the student – covered by student health fee

All these improvements also come with no change to the student health feewhich remains at $215 per year as of Fall 2020.

Please visit the University Student Health Insurance webpage for more information and frequently asked questions, and the Student Blue webpage for specific information about waivers and enrollment. If you have additional questions about student health insurance after visiting the site, contact the Office of the Dean of Students at 336-278-7200 or [email protected]