Advanced Services & Fees
Expanded Healthcare Options for Point Park Students
The Point Park University Student Health Center is committed to providing accessible, affordable, and convenient healthcare for our students. In addition to routine nursing care, the Student Health Center offers expanded clinical services that allow students to receive certain treatments and procedures right on campus, reducing the need for outside healthcare visits. Our goal is to make these services as affordable as possible and, whenever feasible, less expensive than a typical urgent care copayment.
What's Included in My Health Services Fee?
Your Health Services Fee helps support access to the Student Health Center and its routine healthcare services. There is no additional charge to see the nurse. Services available without an additional visit fee include:
- Nursing assessments for illnesses, injuries, and other health concerns
- Routine first aid and wound care
- Health education and preventive care
- Blood pressure checks and basic health screenings
- Starter doses of select over-the-counter medications
- Nursing guidance, referrals, and assistance accessing outside healthcare services
- Most routine point-of-care diagnostic tests, when clinically indicated
Students are always welcome to visit the Health Center to discuss their symptoms or health concerns, regardless of whether additional testing or treatment is needed. Walk-ins are always welcome! Appointments may also be scheduled through the Student Health Center Patient Portal.
Why Do Some Services Have an Additional Fee?
Some expanded clinical services require specialized medications, disposable medical supplies, or outside laboratory testing that generate costs beyond those covered by the Health Center's routine operating budget. Rather than requiring students to seek these services at an outside healthcare facility, the Student Health Center can provide certain treatments on campus for a modest fee. These charges are intended to help recover the direct cost of providing the medication, supply, or service. They are not charges for the nursing assessment and are not intended to generate a profit.
All services with an additional fee are completely optional.
Students will be informed of applicable charges before receiving nonemergency treatment whenever reasonably possible and may choose whether to proceed. Declining a fee-based service does not affect a student's ability to receive routine nursing care, health education, or referral assistance. Appropriate alternatives can be discussed when available.
Emergency assessment and stabilization will never be delayed because of payment.
Advanced Clinical Services
The following services may be available when clinically appropriate and in accordance with established medical protocols.
IV Hydration
IV fluid administration for eligible students experiencing dehydration when intravenous treatment is clinically appropriate. An additional fee may apply for IV fluids and associated disposable supplies.
Minor Wound Closure
Closure of eligible small, uncomplicated lacerations using medical-grade tissue adhesive. An additional fee may apply for the tissue adhesive and associated supplies.
Respiratory Treatments
Nebulizer treatments using appropriate medications for eligible respiratory conditions. An additional fee may apply when designated medications or specialized supplies are used.
In-Clinic Medications and Treatments
Certain medications may be administered at the Student Health Center under established medical protocols. Depending on the medication or treatment, an additional fee may apply to cover the cost of medications and associated supplies.
Diagnostic and Laboratory Testing
The Student Health Center offers a variety of point-of-care diagnostic tests when clinically indicated following a nursing assessment. Most routine point-of-care testing is available without an additional charge. Certain specialized tests, including rapid HIV testing, may have an associated fee.
Additional laboratory testing may be collected at the Student Health Center and sent to an outside laboratory. Separate laboratory charges may apply. Students will be informed of any applicable fees before testing whenever reasonably possible.
Other Clinical Services
The Student Health Center also provides additional services, including:
- Minor eye injury evaluation and care
- Earwax removal and ear irrigation
- Suture and staple removal
- Allergy immunotherapy injections with valid outside-provider orders
- Administration of eligible patient-provided injectable medications
- Depo-Provera injections with appropriate outside-provider orders
Not every expanded service has an additional charge. Students will be informed if a recommended service has an associated fee.
How Are Tests and Treatments Determined?
All diagnostic testing and treatments are based on an individual nursing assessment, clinical findings, and established medical protocols. Tests and treatments are not automatically provided upon request. Our nursing staff evaluates symptoms, medical history, examination findings, and relevant risk factors to determine whether a particular service is appropriate. Some screening tests may be appropriate even when a student does not have symptoms. This approach helps ensure students receive appropriate care while avoiding unnecessary testing, treatment, and expenses.
Insurance and Payment
Does the Student Health Center Bill Health Insurance?
The Student Health Center does not bill health insurance companies directly for nursing visits, treatments, or procedures provided on campus. Routine nursing care is available without an additional visit charge.
For optional fee-based services, payment is accepted by credit or debit card through Square. Cash and checks are not accepted.
Students who receive a prescription from an authorized prescribing provider may use their prescription insurance benefits at a pharmacy, subject to their insurance plan's coverage and requirements.
Outside healthcare providers, pharmacies, and laboratories may have separate billing arrangements.
Outside Laboratory Testing: Medical Diagnostic Laboratories (MDL)
The Student Health Center partners with Medical Diagnostic Laboratories (MDL) to provide certain diagnostic tests that are not performed on campus. Examples of testing may include:
- Sexually transmitted infection (STI) testing
- Urine cultures
- Vaginal infection testing
- Other clinically indicated laboratory tests
When outside laboratory testing is recommended, students will receive information about the testing and available payment options before specimen collection whenever reasonably possible.
Laboratory Billing Options
Depending on the test and applicable billing arrangements, students may have the following options:
Insurance Billing Through MDL
MDL may bill the student's health insurance directly. Coverage and any out-of-pocket responsibility depend on the student's individual insurance plan.
Direct Payment to MDL
Students may choose to pay MDL directly rather than use insurance when this option is available.
Payment Through the Student Health Center
For eligible laboratory testing arrangements, students may pay the applicable laboratory fee directly to the Student Health Center. The University then remits payment to MDL. Our nursing staff can explain the available options before testing.
Privacy and Insurance Billing
Students who are covered under a parent's or another person's health insurance policy should be aware that laboratory claims submitted to insurance may generate an explanation of benefits (EOB) or other communication to the policyholder. Students concerned about confidentiality are encouraged to discuss their options with Health Center staff before testing. Choosing an available direct-payment option may help avoid an insurance claim associated with that test.
Frequently Asked Questions
No. Routine nursing assessments, health education, and basic first aid are available at no additional charge.
Your Health Services Fee helps support routine access to on-campus healthcare. Some expanded treatments require additional medications, specialized supplies, or outside laboratory services. Modest charges help cover those direct costs while allowing us to offer more healthcare options on campus.
No. All fee-based services are optional. Our staff can discuss appropriate alternatives, including outside referrals.
You are always welcome to discuss testing or treatment concerns with our nursing staff. However, all testing and treatment decisions are based on clinical indications and established medical protocols. A requested test or treatment may not be appropriate or necessary in every situation.
The Student Health Center does not submit insurance claims for on-campus services. Outside laboratory testing through MDL may be eligible for insurance billing, depending on the test and the student's insurance coverage.
Yes. For nonemergency fee-based services, our staff will explain the applicable charge before treatment whenever reasonably possible. A current fee schedule is available upon request.
Absolutely. Students can still receive nursing assessment, routine care, health education, and referral assistance. Declining an optional fee-based service does not prevent access to these services.
Questions?
We want students to feel comfortable asking questions about their healthcare options and any associated costs. For more information about advanced services, clinical eligibility, or payment options, please contact the Student Health Center.
Point Park University Student Health Center
Student Center, 3rd Floor
Monday–Friday, 9 a.m.–5 p.m.