Frequently asked billing questions
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Is there a charge to visit Health Service?
- Yes. There is a charge for office visits with a medical provider, inhouse laboratory tests, immunizations, and/or medical supplies (including contraceptives and prepackaged pharmacy medications). These services are provided at a reasonable cost.
- Laboratory tests that need to be sent to a reference lab will be billed through Quest Diagnostics laboratory, and thus you may recieve a seperate EOB (explanation of benefits) and invoice if labs are ordered.
- Visits with a nurse or the dietitian are at no charge to students.
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Can my insurance company be billed?
- Yes. Health Service will file insurance claims on your behalf provided we have your current insurance policy information. Students should upload their current medical insurance card to the Health Portal. Information from both the front and back of your insurance card is needed to successfully submit a claim.
- We are not able to bill your insurance plan for pre-packaged pharmacy medications.
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What insurance does Health Service accept?
- Health Service will accept most insurance plans (it is the responsibility of the student to know if we are in or out of network). We are a contracted provider with the following insurance companies: Blue Cross Blue Shield, Preferred One, Medica, MN Health Care Programs, United HealthCare and Health Partners.
- We are unable to bill Medicare or out of state medical assistance plans. If you are enrolled in an out of state medical assistance plan, you may choose to enroll in a Minnesota plan if you are residing full time in Minnesota. If you have questions, please reach out to our office.
- If you have medical insurance from out of state, you will want to check with your insurance plan to see if they will accept claims from Gustavus Health Service.
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Will my insurance cover a visit to Health Service?
- You will need to call your insurance plan to find out specific benefits. Here are some questions you should ask your medical insurance carrier:
Network
- Does your plan require you to be seen only by a provider included in their network?
- Do you need to get a “referral” from your primary clinic to be seen by a provider at Gustavus Health Service clinic?
- Are there other participating providers in the St. Peter and Mankato area?
- Does your plan include out-of-network benefits?
Coverage
- Does your plan include coverage for issues that might affect college students such as mental health, eating disorders, or substance abuse?
- Does your plan cover routine physical exams or immunizations that may be required for specific programs or internships, study abroad or other travel experiences?
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What if I don’t have health insurance?
- Gustavus Adolphus College requires all students to carry comprehensive health insurance. The College strives to offer a comprehensive health insurance plan annually. Please see the 'Student Health Insurance' page for updates on this option. Other options include:
- Staying on or enrolling in your parent’s health insurance (you can do this through age 26).
- Purchase your own coverage through a private vendor.
- Apply for MN medical assistance through the county in which you live.
- Here are some websites that can be helpful in exploring your options:
If you have lost your health insurance coverage and need medical services, please reach out to our office for support and assistance.
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I want to keep my visit confidential; does Health Service have to bill my health insurance?
- No. However, insurance plans usually send an explanation of benefits (EOB) to the policy holder, often your parents. Due to confidentially laws, it is difficult for most people to know exactly what the payment is for. If your parent should call Health Service, we would not be able to give them specific information about your visit without your written consent.
- We encourage students to call their health insurance company (the number is generally located on the back of your health insurance card) to ask about details of the EOB and about insurance coverage of different appointments.
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If you do not feel comfortable about privacy after speaking with your insurance company, you can complete a simple Patient Assistance Application to reduce out of pocket expense. Please speak with a team member in the Health Service to further explore this option.
Why did I get a charge on my student account when my insurance was billed?
Any amount considered patient responsibility by your insurance plan will be charged to your student account. This includes co-pays, coinsurance, deductibles, and non-covered services.
The policy holder should receive an Explanation of Benefits (EOB) from your insurance plan explaining these charges – this is not a bill. Please wait to make payment until you receive a bill from Student Accounts at Gustavus. This will ensure that your payment is properly credited to your account.
Due to confidentiality laws, we only provide the Student Accounts Office with a date of service and the dollar amount to be billed. If you need a detailed receipt, please contact Health Service.
Can I pay with my HSA (Health Savings Account) card?
At this time, we are unable to process HSA cards, but we can provide you with an itemized statement for you to submit to your HSA for reimbursement.