+ State university health centers range from clinics that treat minor illnesses to comprehensive medical facilities that provide a wide range of health services. The centers are supported by student health fees, which totaled $55.7 million in 2008-09, and fees for services, which totaled $12.9 million.
+ All state universities offer health insurance plans, and Florida State University has required all new students to carry health insurance since 2007. Adopting a similar statewide requirement would guarantee that students are covered in case of accident or illness, could reduce student withdrawals from college, and could improve universities’ ability to negotiate insurance policies. However, it would increase uninsured students’ cost to attend a state university by 5% to 7%, which could limit access to state universities if financial aid is not increased to cover the cost.
+ Unlike doctors’ offices, most university health centers do not bill students’ health insurance policies for visits. Currently, only three state universities have established systems to bill student insurance policies. While billing insurance may provide an additional source of revenue for health centers, it may not be cost-effective for centers that offer limited services or that have a high percentage of uninsured students.
