Insurance and Billing

Everyone Needs Health Insurance

Unfortunately, unexpected accidents and illnesses happen and students without comprehensive health insurance are more likely to drop out of school due to financial needs due to health-related bills.

The student health fee ensures the availability of high quality and accessible health care to the Iowa State student community by helping support the overall costs of the health center. However, the health fee is not health insurance, nor does it provide free access to health care. Thielen Student Health Center (TSHC) provides students with basic health care services at no extra cost, including office visits. The on-campus clinic is not open evenings or Sundays, and does not provide emergency care or hospital services.

Health and prescription insurance varies drastically not only by health insurance carrier, but also by plan. We highly encourage students to check with their insurance provider(s) ahead of time to ensure they will cover any charges for the visit to Student Health. We understand that health insurance is complicated and, at times, frustrating. We will do our best to help answer your questions, however the majority of the time, the health insurance company is the only one who can provide coverage information.

We strongly recommend that all Iowa State University students have health insurance, and it is important for you and your family to review your current coverage. Otherwise without insurance coverage you will be considered self-pay and will be responsible for the full cost of your visit.

It is important to remember to:

Check with your insurance provider before coming to TSHC to find out if you will be responsible for any portion of the charges. See this list for questions to ask your current health insurance company.
- If you have HMO insurance, and would like the cost of your visit to be covered by your insurance, you will need to make Thielen Student Health Center your primary care provider. This may not be an option for all HMOs.
- Employer plans often limit coverage to emergency room care while you are out of the plan area and you may need to take time away from school and return to your hometown for treatment.
- Some plans have narrow provider networks and as a result it may be difficult to access key services such as mental health.
- Please be aware that if you have not met your deductible for your insurance policy, your insurance company may not cover the cost of your visit at the health center and you will be responsible for the charges.

Keep your current health and pharmacy insurance information on file with the health center, so that charges will be billed properly. If your parent or guardian changes jobs, this is a good time to make sure that you update your insurance!
TSHC is not a Medicare provider, and therefore, is not able to see patients with Medicare insurance.
TSHC is unable to accept non-Iowa Medicaid plans. You are welcome to be seen by our providers; however, you may be responsible for charges incurred. (To check eligibility and options please visit: dhs.iowa.gov)

Student and Scholars Health Insurance Program (SSHIP)

Even if you already have health insurance you should investigate the Student and Scholars Health Insurance Program designed specifically for Iowa State University students. With ISU SSHIP Insurance, most services are 100% covered, including routine medical services, lab and diagnostic x-ray services, allergy immunizations and desensitization and mental health office visits.

Health Insurance Resources

Billing Process

If a student has health insurance or pharmacy insurance information on file with the clinic, TSHC will bill the insurance company for any charges that the student incurred while at the health center. Any charges that are not covered by the insurance company will be transferred to the student’s U-Bill.

All charges from Student Health will go onto the U-Bill an can be paid through the student portal Access Plus. Charges for services provided at Student Health can be billed to your health insurance carrier and pharmacy prescription insurance. If choosing to have services billed to insurance first, the remainder of your fee will go directly onto the U-Bill.

However your student can come to Student Health and pay the owed amount directly to us. When that amount is paid he/she can request a receipt for your FLEX money (or use a FLEX debit card). Then the UBill will be credited for the amount that has been paid off, and therefor will zero out the following month.

Billing Questions

For questions about billing for services provided at Thielen Student Health Center, you may also call the Insurance & Billing Department directly at 515-294-7523. Also, feel free to stop by the Insurance and Billing desk during clinic hours. The desk is located near the reception counter at the health center.