Women who choose to receive care at the Health Center might have a jump on students who see other physicians and fill prescriptions at pharmacies like CVS.
It’s widely accepted that health insurance is a necessity, and that most people cannot cover the high rates of appointments and brand name medications on their own.
But according to University Sexual Health Program Coordinator Jenna Beckwith, students can get medication at the University Health Center for lower prices than local drug stores, and even get them cheaper out of pocket than they would with insurance.
In fact, some of the university’s generic medication options are offered for as low as $20 for a supply, which according to Beckwith is about as “low as you can go.”
“Because of partnerships [with companies] developed over time, students pay less for things like ‘Plan B’ at the health center than they would at the CVS down on Route 1,” Beckwith said.
These discounts because of relationships and contracts with medical companies have made some of the Health Center’s prices even competitive with insurance co-pays, or whatever amount the patient has to cover after using insurance.
“I could use my insurance to get birth control and pay $30, but guess what?” Beckwith said. “I can just pay without insurance and only pay $20 for it.”
According to Beckwith, President Obama’s new health care legislation has also aided students who receive care at the Health Center. In fact, students who have the university’s Student Health Insurance Program are completely covered under the plan.
Though Obamacare has students at the Health Center in good shape, it may not be a plus for those still filling their meds off campus.
Chelsea Robinson of Cecil County found her birth control price skyrocketing from $130 for a three-month supply to $300 when she went to get a refill in January, after the health care plan went into effect.
Robinson said she called her insurance company and asked why there was such a drastic change. The company responded that both generic and brand name birth control were now only completely covered for individuals without insurance.
“So I could get $1200 of birth control free every year if I were uninsured?” Robinson said. “Why do I want insurance?”
With such discounted prices and full coverage for those with insurance, its no surprise that the Health Center’s Women’s Care Center is extremely busy year round.
Senior dance and kinesiology major Jessica Salmon said using the campus facility works for her because of its proximity and flexible hours.
“It’s convenient and my doctor doesn’t have appointments on the weekends, so I go there to get my birth control filled,” Salmon said.
Beckwith says that the Health Center “thrives in women’s care,” but that like any campus department, it could use more staff to accommodate the large amount of women seeking treatment.
Currently, the Health Center only has one gynecologist seeing patients, though nurse practitioners serve in the women’s health clinic as well.
Despite this, Business Manager Linda Doneff said that the Health Center has no problem serving all of the patients who seek care.
“The Health Center has no problem accommodating the health care needs of campus female students,” Doneff said. “The Women’s Health Care Center continues to serve women with no effect from health care reform.”