Why is the Student Health Plan premium more for a married person than a single person?

Title IX of the Education Amendments Act states: No person shall, on the basis of sex, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any education program or activity receiving Federal financial assistance

A recipient shall treat pregnancy, childbirth, false pregnancy, termination of pregnancy and recovery there from in the same manner and under the same policies as any other temporary disability with respect to any medical or hospital benefit, service, plan or policy which such recipient administers, operates, offers, or participates in with respect to students admitted to the recipient's educational program or activity.

Because BYU-Idaho receives Federal financial assistance, the Student Health Center was advised by DMBA and BYU-Idaho's legal counsel that it could not discriminate between a married male student and a married female student. In order to have a premium that would cover a married female student for pregnancy, both male and female have to be charged the same premium.

Why do you automatically enroll me in the Student Health Plan?

The mandatory student health plan was implemented fall semester of 1989. This decision was based on two major issues. First, members of the local business community were being left with unpaid medical bills by the BYU-Idaho students and their dependents. Secondly, local stake and ward leaders were paying large amounts of dollars from the fast offering funds of the church to cover medical bills.

Why do I have to add my newborn for the whole semester in which he was born and you do not pro-rate?

Your newborn is a new, separate participant under the Plan. Therefore, the health plan can cover their percentage of the baby's hospital and pediatrician bills only if the baby is added to your coverage as a dependent for the enrollment period in which it was born. Health plan premiums are based on the same enrollment as the university (semester and terms), so the new dependent is added for that enrollment period.

Why do I have to provide proof of private insurance each semester?

Many BYU-Idaho students are at the age they may be dropped from their parents' private insurance. Insurance companies all have different policies and the Student Health Center doesn't know the guidelines of your private insurance. Also, if you provide this information each semester, you will know where to find this information in case of an emergency.

Why don't you bill my private insurance company?

A recent survey stated there are more than 450 different private insurance companies for BYU-Idaho students. It would be an impossible task for the current billing department to bill and tract this many private insurance carriers. With students usually at BYU-Idaho two semesters and gone two terms the Student Health Center would have problems contacting students for information. Another important factor is the number of foreign insurance companies involved and the problems associated with billing them.

Why do I have to pay for a visit if I only see the doctor for 5 minutes?

There are many processes associated with a doctor visit--scheduling, pulling the chart, taking vitals billing, overhead, and the doctor visit. Some visits do not require the physician to spend 20 minutes with the patient.

If a drug is past the expiration date shown on the packaging, is it still safe to use?

Because of legal restrictions and liability concerns, we cannot sanction the use of prescription medications past their expiration dates. Does that mean the medication is no longer effective or is unsafe to use? The expiration date is actually the date at which the manufacturer can still guarantee the full potency and safety of the drug. The effectiveness of the drug may decrease over time, but much of the original potency still remains. The only report of human toxicity that may have been caused by degradation of a drug product was associated with the use of degraded tetracycline.

Can I take an antibiotic if I take an oral contraceptive?

Data on the effect of broad spectrum antibiotics on birth control pills are conflicting. Theoretically, such antibiotics can kill GI bacteria, which decrease blood levels of birth control pills by interfering with drug recirculation in some women. Whether they interact remains a controversy. It is up to the patient to decide whether to use a backup method of contraception while on an antibiotic or not. One option is to consider using backup methods (such as condoms) during the course of treatment and for at least one week after stopping the antibiotic.
From Pharmacists Letter

Are antibiotics always necessary?

Doctors should not prescribe antibiotics for most colds, coughs and sore throats because they don't help and their overuse is making them less effective against other infections, the nation's second-largest doctors' group said.

For most healthy adults, the best treatment for bronchitis, most sinus infections, colds and coughs is over-the-counter cold remedies, according to the American College of Physicians-American Society of Internal Medicine.

Experts have warned for a decade that overuse of antibiotics is causing germs to become resistant to drugs.

If we can lower our total antibiotic consumption by 20 or 30 percent, we can show an effect in changing the rate of prevalence in these resistance organisms, said Dr. Ralph Gonzales of the University of Colorado Health Sciences Center.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimate that up to half of the 133 million doses of antibiotics administered daily outside hospitals are unnecessary because they are being prescribed for viral infections that don't respond to antibiotics.

The Food and Drug Administration has proposed requiring labels on antibiotics reminding doctors to prescribe them only when truly necessary.

Doctors often feel pressured to prescribe antibiotics when they are not needed because patients demand them, said Dr. Vincenza Snow, senior medical associate at the American College of Physicians.

The guidelines, presented in the Annals of Internal Medicine, are intended for treatment of healthy adults and not for patients over age 65 or people with long-term medical conditions such as diabetes.

They were developed by a panel of doctors assembled by the CDC and led by Gonzales. The American College of Physicians-American Society of Internal Medicine represents 115,000 physicians.

-From an article published by the Associated Press.

How do I know if the BYU-Idaho Student Health Plan is a good idea?

To help determine the value of and how our Student Health Plan compared to other universities, Brigham Young University - Provo hired an outside consultant to make a comparison study. The consultant, Stephen L. Beckley & Associates, Inc., who works exclusively with college health centers, compared the facility and services available at BYU-Provo with five other like universities. In comparing the costs and benefits of all plans, he stated that the value of the Deseret Mutual plan was outstanding; ranging from 26% to over 100% better than the other universities. He also stated that the plan had one of the nation's most effective funding systems and premier facilities.

If the plan is so good, why doesn't it cover prescriptions, immunizations, and some other high cost services?

One of our most frequently asked questions is why don't we cover the cost of prescription medications. The simple answer is that it would dramatically increase premiums and reduce the overall value to most subscribers; i.e., those who have minimal prescription use. In the comparison study two of the universities included prescription benefits in their plans, which in effect reduced their overall value due to the large increase in costs. Since the majority of the costs of our Student Health Plan are covered by student premiums, our goal has been to keep costs as low as possible and still provide the quality and mix of health care services needed by our student population. The comparative study mentioned above suggests we have been successful in doing this.

We are constantly evaluating our plan and making changes and improvements that are consistent with our philosophy of keeping premiums low and value high. Your comments and suggestions along these lines are always welcome.

Does the Health Center Take Private Insurance?

The Student Health Center does not bill private insurance. All charges will be charged to your student account that you can pay for online. If you have private insurance after you pay for the charges on your account you can come into the Health Center and ask for a HCFA form. You can then fill that form out and submit it to your insurance company and your insurance company may reimburse you, but since we’re not a participating provider there are NO guarantees that they will.

What does the student insurance cover?

It is easier to discuss what the student insurance does not cover than to address all the issues it does. Anything that insurance companies do not cover is referred to as “exclusions.” You can review exclusions by reading the Student Insurance Handbook which can be found here.

Where do I pay my insurance bill?

Any charges you incur at the Student Health Center will be placed on your student account. You can pay outstanding balances on your student account at the cashier's office in the Kimball building, or you may pay the balance online by accessing my.byui.edu.

Where do I go if I get hurt or sick and the Health Center is closed?

You should always seek medical care in an emergency by dialing 911, or going to the nearest Emergency Room. For less urgent concerns, there are a few options that you have here in Rexburg which include a local urgent care called “Community Care” and the Madison Memorial Hospital. Call 1-800-777-3622 for after hours medical advice.  For more information, click here.

When does the insurance start and end for each semester?

Coverage under the Student Insurance plan begins on the first day of a new semester, and ends the day before the first day of the following semester.

If I got my medication at my home doctor can I get it refilled at the Health Center?

If you have refills left on that prescription, but they are at another pharmacy, we can transfer them here for you. If you are out of refills on the prescription your physician from back home can phone or fax a new prescription into us, or you may meet with a provider here at the health center and they can write you a new prescription.

Are you registered under the iPLEDGE program?

The Student Health Center Pharmacy is associated with the iPLEDGE program and is able to fill any Accutane prescription written by an approved provider, including out of state physicians. The providers at the health center are not able to write for Accutane, but can refer you to other area providers who can do so.

What can I be seen for at that Health Center?

The Student Health Center is equipped to handle a variety of medical issues. Here is a short list of common concerns which can be treated here at the Student Health Center:

• Abdominal Pain
• Acne
• Allergies
• Anxiety
• Asthma
• Back Pain
• Broken Bones
• Burns
• Common Cold
• Coughs
• Cuts and scrapes
• Depression
• Diarrhea
• Diabetes
• Dizziness
• Etc…

As you can see, we treat a wide range of medical concerns. If you need help with a medical issue we can assist you. For an appointment, call 208-496-1300, and always dial 911 in an emergency. If more information is needed, please call 208-496-1300 if you have a specific question about what we can treat.

If I came in to get a lab done would I have to see a doctor first?

You have to see a doctor unless you get the following labs:

• Blood work for marriage license
• Blood Group and Type
• Strep Test
• Lipid/cholesterol—needs to be fasting
• Pregnancy Test (urine)
     Pregnancy blood tests must have an appointment with a doctor
• Mono
• TB test

How much does a regular doctor’s visit cost?

If you are covered by the Deseret Mutual Student Health Insurance plan, you will pay $10 for an office visit. If you are not covered by the Student Health plan, you will pay $20 for an office visit.

How much are X-rays?

The price for X-rays varies. For specific questions, please contact the Student Health Center at 208-496-1300.

Do I need an appointment to be seen at the Health Center?

It is best to make an appointment to be seen at the Student Health Center. Please call to 208-496-1300 to make an appointment.

If I’m a female and I’m preparing to get married when should I get a premarital exam?

It is best to have a premarital exam about two months before the wedding. If you are planning on using birth control, you should have the examination done at least a month before the wedding date.

What if I just graduated, can I be seen at the Health Center?

If you have purchased the Student Insurance plan, you can be seen at the Student Health Center until the day before the first day of the semester after you graduate.  If you are on private insurance you may not be seen at the Student Health Center after you graduate.

Who can use the BYU-Idaho pharmacy?

If you are a current traditional student, the spouse or dependent of a student, or on the student insurance, you can fill a prescription with us.

Can the pharmacy fill or refill my prescription from any doctor?

YES! Bring in your written prescription, or have your home physician phone or fax in a new prescription.

Can I have my doctor call the pharmacy with my prescription information?

YES! They can phone in a new prescription, fax it, or send it electronically via computer. The exception to this is Schedule II medications such as Ritalin or Adderall, which would have to be mailed to us.

I have refills available on my prescription; can the pharmacy on campus refill it for me?

Definitely! Call us with the information on your bottle or bring it in and we'll be glad to call the pharmacy you received the prescription at and fill it here for you.

I have private insurance that covers my medication; will the BYU-Idaho pharmacy accept it?

We are able to accept ~90% of all private prescription plans, including Tricare (Military), Medco, Caremark, most Blue Cross/Blue Shield plans, and many others. Bring your pharmacy card with you and we'll be glad to run it through for you. If you don't have your card, your parents can fax in a copy to us.