When cold and flu season comes, one of the many reasons why students hope they do not get sick is because of the cost involved with getting better.
With insurance co-pay and numerous medicines, students can generally expect to pay around $50 to get well. This is not the case with the Student Health Center.
Designed for currently enrolled students, the Health Center system is a way for students to get the medical attention they need, at a price they can afford.
“The health center is a great way for students to have medical resources,” Shelly Kendrick, senior English major said. “Those with a lower income are able to get medical attention with out the high costs.”
Slashing back prices on medicine is a large perk of the Student Health Center. The in-house pharmacy sells medicine such as Ortho Tri-Cyclen Lo (a 28 day birth control pack) for $9.70, whereas normal retail prices will run around $50.99.
While all prescriptions differ in cost, students can expect a large price cut, which means more money in your wallet. Since students are not using their insurance while at the clinic, they do not have to pay a co-pay when they leave.
Offering services with everything from Women’s Health to Physical Exams for school or work, students can expect a professional doctor’s atmosphere when they enter the clinic.
“I have only been to the clinic once to have a TB test to become a substitute teacher,” said Sky Tatum, sophomore academic studies major. “I think they were helpful and I was able to get in and out very fast.”
While previous students didn’t feel the health center was very professional, many students feel that the health center is just as good, if not better than a regular doctor’s office.
“I think they have recently improved a lot,” Kendrick said. “I heard that it wasn’t very good in the past, but I think they are very professional.”
While some students have a preferred doctor of choice, many students don’t care who takes care of them, as long as they leave feeling like they were taken care of.
“I think the doctors at the clinic have really good bedside manners,” Kendrick said. “I really like Crystal Birdsong because she is helpful and very nice.”
Before leaving the Student Health Center all services must be paid for, however, the center will not turn down a student who is not able to pay. In those cases, the student will be allowed to charge their SHSU account.
Open Monday through Friday from 8:05 a.m.-11:30 a.m., closing for lunch and re-opening from 1:05 p.m.-4:30 p.m., students can make appointments by calling (936)294-1805. Students are expected to keep their scheduled time, or cancel within an hour of their time, or they will have to pay a “no-show” fee.