The Student Health Center and Pharmacy (SHCP) recommends that all students be covered by a health insurance plan while attending The University of Alabama to help defray the costs of their health care. Students are not required to be covered by insurance to be seen at the SHCP. Students have options when it comes to insurance and billing:
- Private/Parent sponsored insurance plans
- University sponsored health insurance
Flexible Spending Cards
The SHCP now accepts flexible spending cards. The SCHP can only accept flexible spending cards for medical visit copays at the time of service. The SHCP Pharmacy accepts flexible spending cards for prescriptions and over-the-counter medications (with a prescription for the OTC item) at the time of service.
Private / Parent Sponsored Insurance Plans
At each visit, students should present their health insurance card to the receptionist to determine if the SHCP participates with your carrier, and if we will be able to submit claims directly to your carrier. If we do not receive the student’s insurance card the day of the visit, we must receive it within 48 hours. If the insurance card is not received within 48 hours, all charges will be billed to the student account.
The SHCP accepts most major health insurance plans and will bill your health insurance carrier for covered charges. Please check with your carrier to determine if the SHCP is a participating provider with your health insurance plan and any required co-pays will be billed to your student account. If your insurance carrier requires a referral to be seen at a facility that is not your primary care provider, you must get the referral before being seen at the SHCP.
If we cannot submit claims directly to your insurance carrier, all charges will be billed to your student account and will be your responsibility. We will be glad to provide you with a detailed listing of your charges so that you can file a claim with your carrier.
There are separate charges for services with SHCP providers, including, but not limited to, X-rays, laboratory fees, office visits, orthopedic appliances and prescriptions filled at our Pharmacy, which may not be covered by your insurance carrier. The balance of billed charges not covered by your insurance carrier will be billed to your student account. You will be responsible for paying them at UA Student Receivables.
Important Information for Tricare Patients
As of October 1, 2013, Tricare no longer allows the SHCP or any of our physicians to be a Primary Care Manager (PCM). This is because we are not located within 40 miles of a military base. If you are enrolled as Tricare Prime, you must have a referral from your PCM each time you visit the SHCP. If you are enrolled as Tricare Select, you do not need a referral and you can be seen by any of our providers.