Andrew Crighton
Staff Writer
The ISU Health Center is an auxiliary of the Division of Health Sciences and is paid for by students in their student fees each semester: $66.04 for full-time students and $5.96 per credit for part-time students during the fall and spring semesters, but what do students get for paying these fees?
The center provides the same care that a primary or urgent care office would to students, faculty and staff. This includes, but is not limited to, care for high blood pressure, diabetes, treatment for cold and flu, broken bones, lacerations, women’s health, STD testing, skin care, urgent care for chest pain, x-rays and most immunizations.
“For students there’s no charge for the office visit,” explained Ron Solbrig, director for Student Health Services and an M.D. at the health center.
For a student to come in for a general consultation with a physician or physician assistant there is no charge, which is not the case with walk in or urgent care clinics.
“Just to walk in the door at most urgent care is $110; at the ER just to walk in you’re looking at probably $1,000,” said Solbrig. “That’s probably the biggest benefit to students.”
If any lab work or procedures are done, those are billed to insurance or worked out with the billing department.
The center works closely with the Bengal Pharmacy, to help students with medication needs.
Annually, the center will see about 9,000 patients who visit with a physician or PA and another 4,000 who are cared for by a nurse.
The number of students who utilize the center each year is dropping.
“We still see juniors and seniors that didn’t know that they could come here,” said Milissa Austin, nurse manager and RN at the health center.
“We think it’s because [students] don’t realize they can come and see a provider and it doesn’t cost anything,” said Solbrig.
“I’ve heard of it [the health center], but I don’t really know what they offer,” said Jenna Bissell, a biology student at ISU, “I don’t have insurance through the school, so I don’t have any idea about what it would cost to go on campus.”
In an attempt to help make it easier for students to use their services, the health center has implemented a new electronic interface called Patient Portal, which allows students to make appointments, fill out forms and communicate with providers online, as well as receive text or email reminders.
In addition to providing care, the health center offers learning experience for students in the health sciences.
Nursing, PA and pharmacy students, among others, have the opportunity to interact with patients.
Patients do have the right to decline having a student be part of their care.
The Pocatello ISU Health Center’s hours are: 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday, Wednesday and Friday and 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Tuesday and Thursday during the fall and spring semesters.
The health center can be reached for appointments or additional information at 208-282-2330.
