Ithaca College hopes to become part of the Cayuga Health System (CHS) network on August 15th, creating a more sustainable student health center. This extension comes at a price. Students are currently required to show proof of insurance and may be required to pay a co-payment to use services within the Health Center.

“This is something people are used to doing elsewhere, but it’s a big change for students on our campus who weren’t used to having to do it in the past.

The university announced its merger into the campus community on July 14th. e-mailPrunti said the university has been discussing partnerships with off-campus entities since developing its strategic plan.

of Ithaca Forever A five-year strategic plan was released in June 2019, outlining the goals of the university to provide an accessible, affordable, and responsive educational experience. A desire to build off-campus relationships was highlighted in the 36-page document.

Prior to the integration, students were not required to visit Hammond Health Center, be charged for labs conducted at the center, or show insurance while at the center. Students were billed through insurance only if they were referred off-campus for care or filled out prescriptions off-campus.

The university requires each student to have insurance through the university or alternative insurance. Premium for 1 year college health plan, college planis $2,713.Students until September 15th Abandon student health insurance otherwise automatically charged by the university.

“The problem is that some students may waive their parents’ insurance. They say, over time, ‘My parents have hi hi.–Since it’s a deductible plan, this is costing me more than I expected,” Prunti said.

Prunti said student health insurance provided by the university could be cost-effective for some students.

“We will be very dependent on individual insurance,” Prunti said. “So what is really difficult for students is to understand how their insurance works in health centers. in network or out of network. They need to know the deductibles under their plan and the out-of-pocket amounts under their plan. “

Junior Zora Campbell used the Hammond Health Center many times.

“It’s great that they’re trying to make it better and have more resources, but I often use it for little things, like if I have a bad cold,” Campbell said. rice field. “[Right now] It’s easy to call and I don’t want it to be a big deal, Like, “Oh, I’m going to the doctor, so I have to pay out-of-pocket.”

CHS has worked with the university prior to this merger and has worked with the university’s health sciences., Includes a physical therapy program to enhance student learning. CHS also helped the university reopen during the COVID-19 pandemic, according to an email announcing the merger.

CHS It operates the Cayuga Medical Center in Ithaca and Schuyler Hospital in Montour Falls. CHS also runs his Cayuga Medical Associates (CMA), a multidisciplinary group. The CMA has approximately 24 specialties, whose specialty is outpatient medicine.

Timothy Downes, Chief Financial Officer and Vice President of Financial Management, helped manage the merger of the university and CHS. Downes said his work on the merger is not finished and the two organizations are communicating with each other to ensure a smooth transition.

“We’re still checking in, it’s still very important to us [to check in] Because there are bumps,” said Downs. “It’s about bringing community health partners into the university health space, and it’s a great partnership, but it needs to be cared for and nurtured to make it all work.”

CMA Chief Operating Officer Jeffrey Penoyer ’08 said the CMA is focused on quality of care at health centers.

“The idea was to bring that skill set into schools to help run student health centers,” said Pennoyer. We are focused on strengthening and helping restore normal hours in health centers.”

Prunti said Part 3 behavioral health specialist Employed through Cayuga Health I work at a health center now. She said these professionals work with students struggling with things like stress and anxiety. intention Teach strategies for dealing with mental health.

“As an example, a student may suffer from insomnia,” Prunti said. “They can’t sleep and even working with their doctors they can’t find any physical reason why the students can’t sleep. You can take over.

The university’s Counseling and Psychological Services Center will continue and will not be part of CHS, according to an email announcing the merger.

Penoyer said he created a category called “sensitive visits,” such as STI tests and behavioral health exams, for which students are not charged.

“Knowing that these visits are personal and sensitive visits to the student population, parents will not be notified in the usual way through insurance,” Pennoyer said. “We wanted students to feel safe coming to the health center for these things. are radically different.”

Prunty said one of the main reasons the university decided to partner with CHS is because university leaders want to help maintain a quality healthcare system for their students. said. She said it had previously been difficult for universities to do this because of two national problems: rising medical costs and a shortage of staff in the medical industry.

according to Medicare and Medicaid Service CenterAccording to the report, the nation’s healthcare spending is expected to grow at an average annual rate of 5.4% from 2019 to 2028. in 2028, National healthcare spending reaches $6.2 trillion.

With this collaboration, the Hammond Health Center will have extended hours compared to the previous semester and offer a wide range of services, including mental health. Last year, Hammond’s hours were reduced to business days. The Health Center is currently open Monday through Thursday from 8am to 7pm. Friday from 8am to 5pm. Saturday from 10am to 2pm. Long wait times at the Hammond Health Center were also an issue. common problems Over the years.

Junior Alexa Tamis said that In the past, instead of going to Hammond Health Center, I used local emergency care at my own expense because I believed I could make a more accurate diagnosis. Tamis believes the potential out-of-pocket price is worth the comprehensive on-campus healthcare system available to the university’s students.

According to debt.org, out-of-pocket costs for regular doctor visits are typically between $15 and $25. For specialists he is $30-50. $75-$100 for emergency room treatment.

“COVID is still active right now and college students are getting sick all the time,” Tamis said. “to have [an extensive health center] On campus is really important. And children will have less to worry about finding ways to get to urgent care or doctors. “

Penoyer said he is thrilled to be working with the university’s leaders.

“It’s great to be back on campus and give back,” said Penoyer. “We are really excited about this partnership. Our goal is to get the number of students right, and we are excited to do that.”