Note: Those who are not sure they are eligible for UHS services should go to the section covering BCTC students’ eligibility.

The Health Fee is one of the mandatory fees assessed to full-time undergraduate and graduate students during the fall and spring semesters. The health fee cannot be waived, even if a student has his or her own health insurance.

It’s crucial to know the difference between the Health Fee and health insurance; a customized health insurance plan is available for UK students.

The Health Fee covers a variety of services for free (or at low cost) to students.

• Call 859-323-2778 for a UHS appointment.

  The Health Fee covers unlimited office visits for:

  • Primary care visits for injury or illness
  • GYN/GU (gynecology)
  • Behavioral health
  • Health education and wellness services, including:
  • Well-patient, travel and employment physical exams.
  • Allergy injections (With orders from an allergy doctor).
  • Phone Information Nurse
  • Observation room care
  • On-call physician for after-hours advice
  • Limited medications
  • Some STI lab testing
  • CLIA waived in-office tests (except rapid flu and rapid HIV)

  Services NOT covered by the Health Fee are billed as fee-for-service visits; these services include but are not limited to:

  • Laboratory services (blood work)
  • X-rays
  • Immunizations (offered at a discount rate)
  • Additional diagnostic testing (such as MRI or CT Scans)
  • In-clinic procedures (such as wart removal or sutures)
  • Emergency room visits
  • Most prescriptions
  • Referrals to specialty clinics (such as physical therapy or orthopedic surgery)
  • Dentistry. See information on on-campus clinic options
  • Ophthalmology (vision screens and/or prescription lenses)
  • Surgery
  • Hospitalization

• All students at the University of Kentucky are eligible to use the University Health Service for their health care. All University of Kentucky full-time students pay a mandatory Health Fee as part of tuition which entitles them to most services at University Health Service at minimal cost.

  NOTE: If you are a new student, you are not eligible to be seen at UHS until the semester begins.

  Part-time students may elect to pre-pay the Health Fee to entitle them to receive the same covered benefits as full-time students or they may use the University Health Service on a fee-for-service basis. Part-time UK students may pay the fee at the Student Billing Office in the Funkhouser Building.

  Graduate students who are not registered in classes but are actively engaged in research leading to a degree are eligible to use the University Health Service and can pay the Health Fee. These students may be asked to obtain verification of their status from their department chairperson, dean or academic advisor each semester.

  Students who have graduated and have a record on file are eligible to be seen in that clinic at UHS on a fee-for-service basis for one semester following graduation. (e.g. – students who graduate in May may be seen during the following summer months; students who graduate in August may be seen during the following fall semester; students who graduate in December may be seen during the following spring semester.) During this period, former students should arrange to have their medical records transferred to their new physician.

  Continuing students (students who are not currently enrolled but were enrolled the entire previous semester and intend to enroll the following semester) are eligible to be seen on a fee-for-service basis. 

  Spouses of all eligible students who are not students themselves may be seen at University Health Service for all services on a fee-for-service basis except behavioral health visits. They must present their spouse’s student ID to receive treatment. Children and other family members are not eligible. For children,you may wish to make an appointment with UK Pediatrics at 859-323-5481 or UK Family Practice at 859-323-6711.

  F-1 students and J-Scholars (J1 and J2) who have purchased the student insurance plan are eligible to be seen on a fee-for-service basis. Full time ESL students will have the health fee for their 8 weeks session. Part time ESL students can purchase the health fee for their session.

• Full time ESL students will have health Fee for their 8 weeks session. Part time ESL students can purchase the health fee for their session.

  Guidelines

  • Any BCTC student who is enrolled in at least six hours of traditional in-classroom hours may purchase the Health Fee online through E-Store for that semester.
  • BCTC students without the health fee can be seen on a fee-for-service basis.
  • Students who attend online courses are ineligible to purchase the Health Fee and cannot be seen at UHS.
  • BCTC students must present a current BCTC ID at time of visit.

• University Health Service is available for health care during the summer. Paying the Health Fee is voluntary for most students in the summer. To use University Health Service, registered students must pay the summer Health Fee or pay for services on a fee-for service basis. 

• If a full-time student withdraws from school, the Health Fee may be refunded by the Registrar’s Office as part of the pro-rated tuition refund. Such individuals are eligible to use University Health Service on a fee-for-service basis until the end of the semester. Any questions regarding this matter should be directed to the UHS billing office at 859-218-3204.

  If a student changes status from part-time to full-time, the Health Fee will be added to the tuition if it has not already been purchased.

  If a student changes from full-time to part-time, the Health Fee will be refunded by the Registrar’s Office as part of the pro-rated tuition refund. Students who wish to retain Health Fee covered services should call the UHS billing office (859-218-3204) for instructions. 

  The number above is not for appointments; please call 859-323-2778 for a UHS appointment.

• Fee-for-service visit price depends on the visit type. Additional charges will be incurred if lab tests, X-rays and appliances, immunizations or special procedures are necessary.

• The Health Fee is a mandatory fee on your tuition bill that covers a variety of services for free (or at low cost) at University Health Service. 

  The Health Fee is not a health plan and it is not meant to replace health coverage.

  Consider your health care in two parts:

  1. All University of Kentucky full-time students pay the mandatory Health Fee that entitles them to most services at University Health Service for free.
  2. Health coverage is strongly recommended for expenses not covered by the Health Fee, including most diagnostic procedures (laboratory tests, X-rays, MRIs), surgery, hospitalization and prescription medication. Students may use the health plan of their choice.  The UK Student Health Plan (SHP) is a health insurance plan customized to meet the year-round needs of UK students. 

  Read more about the Student Health Fee vs. the Student Health Plan.

  You can find a list of basic health coverage terminology here.

  Benefit Verification

  For CESL students who do not want to purchase the Student Health Plan, and would like to apply to waive the Student Health Plan, the Benefit Verification Request Form is available below.

  Benefit Verification Request Form Spring 2017

  This form shows UK that your outside health plan meets UK’s minimum requirements for health coverage. This form must be completed by your sponsoring agent, or current health plan provider, and sent to email [email protected] before the deadline. Once we receive the form, we will then approve or deny your waiver based on your eligibility. 

  Waiver Appeal

  Certain situations do not meet the standard waiver criteria for International students.  When a student meets one of these exceptional criteria, they may apply for a waiver exception. The UK Student Health Plan Waiver Appeals Document is available below.

  Waiver Appeal Procedures and Forms 2017-18

  This form shows UK that your situation meets one of the specific criteria as outlined on the first page of the Appeals document.  The correct form(s) must be completed and emailed to [email protected] before the specified deadlines. Once we receive the form, we will approve or deny your waiver based on your eligibility. 

  Please note the specific documentation required for your specific requesting condition. Submitting the incorrect documents for your situation could result in a significant delay in your application being processed or denial of the waiver.

• UHS can bill only the UK Student Health Plan (SHP) or UK HMO dependents for services not covered by the Health Fee; it does not have the ability to bill private insurance companies. Ask your insurance company for details regarding how to file the claims and get yourself reimbursed.

  Responsibilities of the student who incurs charges at the Health Service are as follows:

  • Payment in full is expected through cash, check, major credit cards or UK plus card on the day of service. If it is impossible to pay on that date, payment in full is expected within 30 days.

  • Students who do not pay their bills within 60 days will be considered financially delinquent and will be subject to the University’s delinquency policy, which states that all outstanding bills owed to any unit of the University must be paid before a student can register, drop or add classes, graduate or obtain a transcript.

  • Students who have questions about bills received from the Health Service should call the Health Service Billing Department for assistance at 859-218-3204.

  • Students may request a statement of charges to send to their private insurance to get reimbursed at the time of service if the service could not be covered by HF. This statement contains all necessary information for filing insurance with private carriers.

  • UHS is a participating provider for the Student Health Insurance Plan only. Services at UHS may not be covered by other insurance plans, in which case students are responsible for any balance on their account.

• While the Health Fee entitles students to most services at UHS at no cost, UK offers the Student Health Plan (SHP) as a health insurance plan customized to meet the year-round needs of UK students.

  SHP includes coverage for services not included in the Health Fee, such as lab tests, x-rays, MRIs, surgery, emergency care, and medication

  The University of Kentucky is contracted with Academic HealthPlans, Inc. in conjunction with Anthem to provide the school-sponsored student health plan. Additional details are available on the UK Student Health Plan (SHP) website.

  On the SHP website you can:

  • View the complete Certificate Brochure with coverage details.
  • Review the frequently asked questions.
  • Enroll in/purchase the plan.

  Remember, purchasing a health plan is never a guarantee you will avoid out-of-pocket costs for medical care. The best way to make this, or any, coverage work for you is to be informed and proactive. Check the covered benefits before your procedure whenever possible. Know the specifics and communicate with your medical provider. Deadlines apply.

  For Help

  Contact Academic HealthPlans (AHP) at 855-856-2385 or [email protected].

  If you have questions not addressed by the SHP website or AHP’s customer service department, the UK SHP Office is available to assist you. Call 859-218-3208 or email [email protected] with questions.

• To learn how your parent’s plan can provide the medical care you may need beyond the services covered by your Health Fee, contact your insurance company’s customer service department by calling the phone number on the back of your ID card.

  You should know:

  • Does your plan include coverage for non-emergent medical care in the Lexington area?
  • Which hospitals and urgent care centers are in-network in the Lexington area?
  • How much is your deductible in the Lexington area?
  • What co-pays or coinsurance payments are you responsible for in the Lexington area?
  • Which pharmacies are available to you in the Lexington area?
  • Does your plan have a referral requirement?
  • Does your plan require you to be seen only by a designated Primary Care Physician?

• To comply with US federal Affordable Care Act legislation and to protect students during their time with University of Kentucky, health coverage plans used by international students must meet minimum coverage requirements. Under the following exceptional conditions, students may provide specific documentation to forego the UK minimum standards for health coverage for one (1) coverage period. 

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