Health Fees

Registered students pay a $47 non-mandatory Health Fee per semester which permits you to receive continual medical services at a reduced cost. This fee helps to fund and maintain the Health Center at the center of the campus where it is easily accessible to students. Waiver of the health fee, if done by the fifth day of classes each semester still enables the student to use the Health Center but they will need to pay the $47 fee back for the first visit of the semester and then an additional cost of $47 for the next visit if not related to the original visit.

There is sometimes confusion concerning the Health Fee at Ferris State University. Here are some explanatory notes which may assist you:

  • The Health Fee of $47.00 per semester (approved by the Board of Trustees) is charged to students taking classes at the Big Rapids campus to assist the vast majority of students in accessing lower cost health services.

  • It is billed as a 'non-mandatory' fee and a student may elect to receive a credit for the fee on his/her next bill. To obtain credit, students must post mail or bring in person, a note to the Health Center within the first five-class days of each semester. No e-mail notes or faxes are accepted.

  • It is usually wise not to ask for the fee back unless:
    (a) you are planning not to get sick, or
    (b) you have a local physician.

  • The Health Fee is not insurance. It could be compared to any other fee on campus. The Health Fee cannot be billed to your insurance.

  • The student who gets his/her fee back is very welcome to still use the Health Center; however, it will cost the fee equivalent of $47.00 on the first two occasions per illness during that semester.

  • The average college health fee at other universities starts around $55 and can go up to $200+ per semester, mandatory, and is often embedded in tuition or labeled as a mandatory fee.

  • The Health Center directly bills Traditional Blue Cross, Blue Shield Community Blue PPO, Blue Preferred PPO, MESSA, Priority Health, Priority Health Medicaid, Aetna, Cofinity,  straight State of Michigan Medicaid (excluding Medicaid Clinic Plans and HMO Plans) insurance for our patients. All other patients receive a computerized receipt suitable for submitting to their insurance companies for reimbursement.

  • Spouses and children (age two or older) of FSU students are also eligible to utilize the Health Center by paying a reduced Health fee. Call the Health Center 231-591-2614 for more information.

We appreciate the opportunity to serve our students as their family physician while they are here at Ferris State University.

Health Center Fees

Though nominal charges are required to see a physician at the Birkam Health Center, a student never needs cash on hand to see the doctor should they become sick or injured.

There are several payment methods available for the convenience of students.

Insurance

The Birkam Health Center accepts certain insurances for medical services. Currently the Health Center can direct bill Traditional Blue Shield, Blue Shield Community Blue PPO, Blue Preferred PPO, MESSA, Priority Health, Priority Health Medicaid, Aetna, Cofinity, Straight Medicaid (excluding Medicaid Clinic Plans and HMO Plans). Please have your insurance card at the time of service in order for the Health Center to bill the insurance directly. The student is still responsible for all co-pays and charges for services not covered by their insurance.

Health insurance can be made easier to use at the Health Center if you provide certain information at the time of service.

You will be required to present your current insurance card (or a copy) at the time of each service. The Health Center will not back bill for visits if you do not present the card or a copy of the card at the time of services.

Please find out the following information about your health insurance before you arrive on campus (This is also a great method for students to learn more about your own insurance):

  • What is your insurance company and do you have your card or a copy?
  • Are you covered by more than one policy?
  • Which policy is primary and which is secondary?
  • The subscriber name and birth date.
  • What does your policy cover? (Example - office visits, lab, x-ray, pharmaceuticals, etc.)
  • What is your deductible and co-pay?

Students with insurance other than the ones listed above are advised to submit their Health Center receipts to their own insurance companies for reimbursement.

United Health Care Plan

Ferris State University also offers a basic health insurance plan for those students who do not have a private health insurance plan. This plan is underwritten and administered by a private insurance company that provides these type of plans to numerous Universities across the country. The insured period generally covers the start of Fall Semester through the start of the next year's Fall Semester. There are enrollment periods each semester at a pro-rated cost. All students should receive information regarding this student health insurance plan prior to Fall Semester through the mail. If you do not receive this information or have additional questions regarding this plan, please contact the Health Center at (231) 591-2614.

You may also visit the United Health Care Insurance Web site at www.uhcsr.com or call the company at 1-800-767-0700.

Payment Options

If you do not have insurance, there are several convenient payment options:

  1. You may apply the bill to your Consolidated Billing Tuition Account.
  2. You may also  pay with a credit card or Health Savings Account (Flex Plan Credit Card, Visa, Master Card, or Discover).
  3. You may also pay in cash or by personal check.