UW-Platteville’s Student Health Services has a staff of about 10 qualified people who provide students with range of healthcare services on a daily basis.

“We see a little less than 5,500 students per year, which is about one third of the student population,” Vikki Dreessens, administrative director, said.

Sarah Godfrey, a junior at UW-Platteville, has been using SHS since her freshman year. During an Ultimate Frisbee game freshman year, Godfrey tore a ligament in her hip and has had three surgeries since then.

“I hurt myself and needed help getting around, so I got a scooter from them to help with my crutches,” Godfrey said. “I have used a school scooter every year I have been here and everyone at Student Health Services was very helpful. They took the time to make sure I was set and didn’t try to rush me out like they do at some hospitals.”

“For the fiscal year 2014 (2013 – 2014) expenditures were $778,276.56.” Brian Bird, assistant controller, said. “This includes Student Health and University Counseling Services as they are funded together.”

An annual exam at SHS costs $30, but an annual exam at a local hospital it could cost $50-$200. If a student needed stitches and went to a hospital off campus for care, it could cost anywhere from $200-$3,000, only $25 at SHS to receive the stitches. Students who are disabled can rent a scooter for $25 per week or rent crutches for free instead of having to buy them.

There is an SHS code that every college campus must follow to help provide adequate service for every student. The Board of Regents is responsible for creating policies, rules, and setting admission standards and policies for governing the System, stated in Basic Health Module Regent Policy Document 23-1 (formerly Regent Policy Document 78-9):

Clinical Services should include easily accessible medical care for evaluation and treatment of health related concerns, injuries, and illnesses. These services should include diagnosis, treatment, and follow up care for acute illness, chronic illness, and injury.

“Our mission is to promote health and wellness, both physical and mental health. That is an important part for the retention of students and also the graduation of students,” Dreessens said. “We want to insure we are living up to the standards set in place to insure adequate care for each and every student.”

A simple visit and few procedures are included in students’ segregated fees. Students have access to SHS as it is included in the price of tuition.

“12.32 percent of “segregated fees A” are directed to the Student Health Services account,” Bird said.

Students do have to pay out of pocket for some medications, services and supplies that are not covered by their insurance.

“I had to pay out of pocket once because my insurance didn’t cover everything. I understand Health Services can’t give things away for free, but maybe the school could have something to help the students cover the extra cost.” Jacqueline Komada, junior Ecology major said.

“With medication and labs, sometimes insurance covers them easier, so we offer that to students, but other than that we have a small in house pharmacy and we only charge what it costs us to get them so we’re not making money off it,” Dreessens said.

Insurance is available to all students registered for at least five credits and who are not on their parents’ insurance. Insurance through University of Platteville itself can also cover spouses, domestic partners and dependents. Some services could be full or partial coverage or reimbursement depending on the student’s health insurance plans According to the Government Accountability Office, if students chose to get health insurance off campus the annual premiums for a plan could range from $30 to $2,400. The average premium for a college student with health insurance off campus is about $850.

“The university is part of a consortium of all the UW systems and they have an insurance policy that students can purchase if they need, too,” said Dreessens.

Students do not need health insurance to use SHS, but having health insurance can prove beneficial to students in helping with the cost of the visits and the any medication or medical needs they may have.

“The Affordable Care Act going into effect this past year, the UW systems policy cost has gone up quite a bit,” Dreessens said. So it ould be beneficial for students to look at a parent’s insurance or independently getting a policy, but it is available.”

Student Health Services offers students an opportunity get adequate care right on campus and works with students to get health insurance and find the right plans for them.

“We will work with the student to come up with a payment plan,” said Dreessens. “We would never turn a student away when they need care.”