STUDENT HEALTH CENTER BILLING

Since 2003, MSHC has been able to bill health insurance plans for reimbursement for services provided our nurse practitioners and physician assistant. Between 55- 65% of our families have consistently signed up for "expanded" medical services year to year. Having acute care available at school saves parents time away from work and students from missing time at school.

How does billing work?
The billing for visits with the nurse practitioners or physician assistant works just like it does when you take your child to see your primary care provider. When your child is seen, a billing encounter form is completed. The form is then sent to MaineGeneral Health Medical Center Billing office, which does the billing for our health center. Penny Sargent, our contact person, submits a bill to your health insurance plan.

Will I get a bill for services provided at the Student Health Center?
One of the unique aspects of our services in the SBHC is that you will not be charged a co-pay for visits to the student health center. But, you may receive a bill for part of the cost of the visit if your health plan doesn’t provide 100% coverage outside of the co-pay (e.g. your health plan has a deductible or you pay a small percentage for covered services over and above a co-pay).

How do you determine the cost of each visit?
The cost per visit is based on time spent with your child and the complexity of the visit. The student health center uses the same fee scale as MaineGeneral Health Provider Practices use in their practices (e.g. Kennebec Pediatrics, Winthrop Pediatrics, and the Winthrop Health Center ).

If my child is seen at the Student Health Center how will my child's provider know what care was provided?
Health Center staff will communicate with the student’s primary care provider (PCP) either via the student’s electronic medical record, telephone or fax to enhance continuity of care. This includes communication when a new diagnosis is made, a current medication is discontinued or changed, a new med is prescribed, or if follow-up care with the PCP is recommended.

If you have additional questions about health center billing or other operations, please call Sarah Morrill at 685-4923, x1019.