Billing & Insurance

Experience In-network Convenience

The LSU Student Health Center is "in-network" with most major US-based insurance plans, including Louisiana Medicaid. Students are now able to conveniently use their insurance benefits at the SHC for services which are billed, including primary care, specialty care, sexual health and gynecology, psychiatry, injections, lab tests and x-rays.

LSU Student Health Insurance Plan with UnitedHealthcare

Who is Eligible?

All full-time and part-time students registered for resident study, excluding Continuing Education participants, are eligible to purchase the plan for themselves and their dependents.

Attention International Students: All non-immigrant, international students in F-1 and J-1 student visa status are required to purchase and maintain adequate medical insurance coverage while they are enrolled at LSU. Therefore, these students are automatically enrolled in and charged for the University-sponsored plan, Gallagher Student Health/United HealthCare. Students who wish to decline the University-sponsored plan coverage must submit an online waiver form and proof of comparable, alternative medical insurance coverage to Gallagher Student Health by the 14th class day of each semester. The alternative insurance policy must provide similar or more extensive coverage, as compared to the University-sponsored plan, for it to be accepted. Only after confirmation of the waiver approval is received at Office of Bursar Operations will the charge for the University-sponsored plan be credited to the student’s fee bill. 

Attention Graduate Assistants: Beginning in Fall 2023, all GAs (domestic and international) that are enrolled full-time as a graduate student and appointed as a Graduate Assistant in Workday at 50% effort will automatically be enrolled in and charged for the University-sponsored plan. Grad Assistants who wish to decline the University-sponsored plan coverage must submit an online waiver form and proof of alternative medical insurance to Gallagher Student Health by the 14th class day of each term. Only after confirmation of the waiver approval is received at Office of Bursar Operations will the charge & stipend for the University-sponsored plan be removed from the GA’s fee bill.

2024-25 Policy Year Pricing:

International Students and Graduate Assistants
Plan Dates Active Price
Annual 8/14/24 – 8/13/25 $2,883.00 
Fall 8/14/24 – 1/5/25  $1,145.00 
Spring 1/6/25 - 8/13/25  $1,738.00 
Summer 5/22/25 - 8/13/25 $663.00

 

Domestic Students 
Plan Dates Active Price
Annual 8/14/24 – 8/13/25 $4,321.00 
Fall 8/14/24 – 1/5/25  $1,716.00
Spring/Summer 1/6/25 - 8/13/25  $2,605.00 
Summer 5/22/25 - 8/13/25 $995.00 

 

How to Enroll

Students may enroll themselves through myLSU (Additional Services section of Registration Services tab) or directly online with the insurance company. This can be done from class registration through the 14th class day of that semester.
 
The open enrollment period for Spring 2024 coverage is December 5, 2023 - February 2,2024.

myLSU Health Insurance Codes:
Code Dates Active Price
05004 Annual (08/14/23 - 08/13/24) $4321.00
05001 Fall (8/14/23 - 1/5/24) $1712.00
05001 Spring/Summer (1/6/24 - 8/13/24) $2609.00

 

Students wanting to utilize any of the following options MUST do so online directly with the insurance company: 

  • enroll in the monthly payment plan
  • purchase coverage for dependents

Visit www.gallagherstudent.com/lsu-batonrouge for more details.

If your class schedule is purged for any reason, you must ensure the insurance is reassessed on the subsequent Bursar Office bill. 

 
Plan Information

2023-24 SHIP FAQ - Domestic Students
2023-24 SHIP FAQ - International Students

It is extremely important that you read the plan brochure to understand the specific terms and conditions, benefits, coverage limitations and policy exclusions that are described therein.

The plan has cost containment features to keep your health costs as low as possible while maximizing your premium dollar and conserving your benefits, as appropriate. Please pay special attention to the Referrals section. You are responsible for obtaining new or renewal referrals when they are required. Full Plan Certificates are available on the insurance company's website.

Students enrolled in the University-sponsored insurance must use the resources of the LSU Student Health Center first, where treatment will be administered or a referral issued. In order to access the Student Health Center services, they must pay the Student Health Fee each semester.

  • Part-time students will be required to pay this fee.
  • If a non-student spouse would like to access Health Center services, their student spouse must be eligible, and they, too, must pay the Student Health Fee.

For more information about the Student Health Center Eligibility, view Access to Services, Eligibility, on our Policies page..

Students and their dependents also have the ability to select stand-alone Vision and Dental programs administered by Humana. Coverage under one of the health plans is not required to purchase the Vision or Dental products. Enrollment in the Vision and Dental programs should be handled online directly with the insurance company.

Insurance Company Contact:
Gallagher Student Health
Phone: 844-288-4920
Fax: 617-479-0860
Web: www.gallagherstudent.com/lsu-batonrouge 
Email and Live Chat options available on above site
Claims company: www.uhcsr.com 
24/7 medical advice: HealthiestYou, www.healthiestyou.com 

The Student Health Center is offering a forum to provide students with an opportunity to learn more about the insurance and billing process. Registration is not required.

REGISTER FOR AN UPCOMING FORUM DATE ON TIGERLINK

Wednesday, February 7, 2024  -  11:00 AM-12:00 PM

Wednesday, March 20, 2024   -   11:00 AM-12:00 PM

Wednesday, April 24, 2024   -  11:00 AM-12:00 PM

Placeholder text for financial assistance information and contact name / number/ or email.

Apply for FMOLHS Financial Assistance

The Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady Health System (FMOLHS) is committed to providing financial assistance to those who have healthcare needs and are uninsured or underinsured, for emergency or medically necessary care, based on the patient’s individual financial situation. Patients seeking financial assistance must apply for the program.

Contact Us Today

To see if you qualify for financial assistance and for FREE confidential help in applying, contact Our Lady of the Lake and ask for the Admissions Department. A Financial Counselor will be happy to assist you. The full policy and applications are also available online or by mail.

Our Lady of the Lake Regional Medical Center
5000 Hennessy Blvd. Baton Rouge, LA 70808
(225) 765-7921 or (800) 327-3284
ololrmc.com/financialassistance 

In-person assistance is offered Monday–Friday from 8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. The Admissions Department can be found by following the clearly marked signage in the public pathways at the Our Lady of the Lake Regional Medical Center hospital. 

Download the application
Download the Financial Assistance Brochure for LSU Students

Before Your Appointment

Step One

Upload Your Insurance

Students can visit the Student Health Portals page, and upload their insurance card in MyChart*. 

They should bring a valid picture ID/Tiger Card, insurance card, and a form of payment to each visit.

*MyChart® Epic Systems Corporation

 

Step Two

Learn How to Pay & File Claims

Healthcare costs depend on the kind of care you need and your insurance plan coverage and network tiers, if you have one.

Health insurance plans vary a great deal, and may only cover part of the cost of care. You are responsible to pay any part that is not covered by health insurance or the Student Health Fee.

Co-payments, if applicable, will be collected at the time of service and will be used as a credit toward the office visit fee. 

Insurance claims can be filed for primary care, gynecology, specialist visit and psychiatry services only.

The SHC is in-network with most major US-based insurance plans, including Medicaid. You are able to conveniently use their insurance benefits at the SHC. Depending on their coverage, students may be responsible for a copay or uncovered services at the visit.

Charges incurred during a visit to the SHC will not be eligible for transfer to student fee bills. Payment should be remitted in a timely manner. Payment plans are available by contacting the billing company directly. Failure to pay outstanding balances may impede your ability to schedule future appointments at the the SHC.

To discuss charges, make a payment, or arrange a payment plan, contact billing company listed on your bill.

We ask all patients to arrive at least 20 minutes prior to their appointment time. Arrive on time to maximize your interaction with your provider and avoid increasing waiting times. If fail to do so, you may be asked to reschedule and may incur a no-show fee. 

Please cancel/reschedule an appointment you cannot make in a timely manner, so another student can take advantage of the appointment time.

  • Premium: A premium is the amount of money charged by your insurance company for the plan you’ve chosen. It is usually paid on a monthly basis, but can be billed in a number of ways. You must pay your premium to keep your coverage active, regardless of whether you use it or not.
    • Example: Your health plan costs $189 per month, which is your premium. In order to keep your benefits active, you will need to pay your premium on time every month.
  • Deductible: A deductible is a set amount you have to pay every year toward your medical bills before your insurance company starts paying. This amount varies by plan and some plans do not have a deductible.
    • Example: Your health plan costs $189 per month, which is your premium. In order to keep your benefits active, you will need to pay your premium on time every month.
  • Coinsurance: Coinsurance is the percentage of your medical bill you share with your insurance company after you have paid your deductible. Unless you have a policy with 100% coverage for everything, you have to pay a coinsurance amount.
    • Example: You have an “80% / 20%” plan. This means your insurance company pays for 80% of your costs after you have met your deductible. You pay for the other 20%. Coinsurance is different and separate from a copayment.           
  • Copayment: A copayment, or copay, is the flat fee you pay every time you go to the doctor or fill a prescription. Copays do not count toward your deductible.
    • Example: Your plan has a $20 copayment for routine doctors’ office visits. This means you have to pay $20 each time you have a visit. Copays are different that coinsurance.
  • Explanation of Benefits: An explanation of benefits (EOB) is generated when your provider submits a claim for the services you received and is a statement from your insurance plan describing what costs it will cover for medical care or products you’ve received. The statement details the cost of the care you received, any money you saved by visiting the in-network providers, and any out-of-pocket expenses you will be responsible for. An EOB is not a bill. You will receive a separate bill for the amount you may owe with instructions on how and to whom payment should be remitted.

 

Step Three

Understand Insurance Options

Student health and wellness is critical to academic success, and unexpected healthcare costs can be a burden and impact your education. While currently not required, we strongly urge all students to obtain health insurance.

The university-sponsored health insurance plan, LSU Student Health Insurance Plan with UnitedHealthcare, is an option designed specifically for LSU students and their eligible dependents that offers maximum coverage for services at the SHC.

The Student Health Center is now in-network with most major US insurance providers. To determine if we are in-network with your plan, please research your plan details.

If we are not in-network with your insurance, we can file a courtesy claim with them.

Medical co-pays, deductibles, and co-insurance associated with your insurance plan are applicable at the SHC. Co-payments will be collected at the time of check-in and used as a credit towards your office visit balance, so please ensure that you bring a form of payment with you to each visit. Failure to pay a co-pay will result in your appointment being rescheduled. If you are not aware if your insurance has a copay and/or the amount, it can usually be found directly on the insurance card or by calling the customer service number listed on the insurance card.

Additional charges apply for tests and treatments. Your health insurance may cover some or all of those costs. Any uncovered costs will be billed to you. These charges are not eligible to transfer to your fee bill. Any payment and/or payment arrangements must be made directly with the billing company.

Most labs will be sent to reference labs for processing, mainly LabCorp. Bills for these services will be sent to you directly from the reference lab, unless paid date-of-service at checkout. These charges are not eligible to transfer to your fee bill. Any payment and/or payment arrangements must be made directly with the reference lab used. If you wish to use a lab other than those used by the SHC, you may request a copy of your orders to take to the lab of your choice for collection.

Please note, by choosing to file all or a portion of your visit to insurance, you are consenting to the SHC releasing any necessary documents for payment.  

The SHC does participate in Louisiana Medicaid. All policies and stipulations to your Medicaid policy, including visit counts, are applicable at the SHC.

In order to have SHC services covered by your Medicaid plan, you must assign one of our providers as your primary care provider (PCP) on your Medicaid Patient Portal. This must be done 48 hours prior to your appointment. Once set, you may see any SHC provider for future appointments. Failure to do this prior to your appointment will result in the rescheduling of your appointment to a future date.

View the instructions on how to set your PCP.

Additional charges apply for tests, treatments, and labs. Your health insurance plan may cover some or all of those costs. Per Medicaid's policy, any uncovered service(s) must be paid in-full prior to the service without exception, including labs. Therefore, bring a form of payment with you to each visit. These charges are not eligible to transfer to your fee bill.

Please note, per Medicaid policy, any uncovered service(s) must be paid in-full prior to the service without exception, including labs. Therefore, bring a form of payment with you to each visit.           

Most labs will be sent to reference labs for processing, mainly LabCorp. Bills for these services will be sent to you directly from the reference lab, unless paid for date-of-service at checkout. These charges are not eligible to transfer to your fee bill. Any payment and/or payment arrangements must be made directly with the reference lab used. If you wish to use a lab other than those used by the SHC, you may request a copy of your orders to take to the lab of your choice for collection.

Please review your plan's policies and coverage by visiting the Louisiana Department of Health or by contacting your local Medicaid office at (888) 544-7996, before scheduling an appointment.

You do not need health insurance to use the SHC. A self-pay rate is available to students who do not have health insurance.           

A co-pay of $20 will be collected at the time of check-in and used as a credit towards your office visit fee, which will vary based on the care you receive. Please bring a form of payment with you to each visit. Failure to pay a co-pay will result in your appointment being rescheduled.

Additional charges apply for tests and treatments. Without insurance to help share costs, you are responsible for all costs incurred during your visit. We encourage you to discuss with your provider the costs associated with your visit prior to receiving the care. Any balances not paid at check-out will be billed to you. These charges are not eligible to transfer to your fee bill. Any payment and/or payment arrangements must be made directly with the billing company.

Most labs will be sent to reference labs for processing, mainly LabCorp. Per LabCorp's policy for the uninsured, or those whose insurance does not cover clinical laboratory testing, payment for the tests ordered must be collected at the time of service. If you wish to use a lab other than those used by the SHC, you may request a copy of your orders to take to the lab of your choice for collection.

If you are unable to access care at the SHC due to financial restraints, the SHC Case Manager can assist you with applying for financial assistance through Our Lady of the Lake, who has committed $3M to assist students who are uninsured or underinsured. She can also coordinate referrals to low cost or free community care.

Healthcare can be expensive. We strongly urge all students to have health insurance. Explore the LSU Sponsored United Healthcare Student Resources plan as an option. Other resources can be found at Healthcare.gov.

You can request not to use your insurance, recognizing that the medical costs will typically be more. You will be charged the self-pay rate and payment in-full may be required on the date of service.

  • To exclude an appointment, notify Patient Access prior to check-in
  • To exclude a specific lab or procedure, notify the staff at Lab/X-ray check-in.

It is your responsibility to verify all charges and exclusions with the cashier at checkout, prior to leaving the clinic.

When payment-in-full is not required, a bill from the billing company or the reference lab used will be sent. Please verify with the appropriate staff, which address bills should be sent to.

Please note, by choosing to file all or a portion of your visit to insurance, you are consenting to the SHC releasing any necessary documents for payment. 

 

Student Health Fee (SHF)

Students pay the Student Health Fee (SHF), as part of full-time tuition and fees; part-time students and non-student spouses have the option to pay the SHF. As noted in the SHC eligibility policy, any student wishing to use the SHC must pay the SHF. This fee is not covered by insurance, nor is it an insurance plan. It is eligible to transfer to the student fee bill.

The SHF covers:

  • Telephone nurse triage
  • Physical rehabilitation
  • Health history and immunization processing and compliance verification
  • Public health services or benefits that are essential for either personal safety or campus community health and safety
  • Counseling services including crisis intervention, individual counseling and group sessions
  • Wellness coaching, programs, services, and events
  • Nutrition counseling
  • Interpersonal violence support and prevention services
  • Referral coordination and case management services
  • Administrative support costs
  • Facilities maintenance, repair, and enhancement
  • Health and well-being strategic initiatives

Privacy Considerations Related to Health Insurance

When you use your health insurance, the billing company files a claim with the health insurance company for the charges incurred at your visit. When the insurance company processes that claim, they send the policy holder a statement called an Explanation of Benefits (EOB). The SHC has no control over the address to which the EOB is sent.

If you have insurance but you do not want the policy holder to know about your visit to the SHC, you may choose not to use your insurance for that appointment. You can request to self-pay your insurance, recognizing that the health care costs will typically be more. You will be charged the self-pay co-pay for the visit and the full cost for some other services, like labs. Any remaining balance will be billed to the address provided. 

It is your responsibility to verify all charges and exclusions with the cashier at checkout, prior to leaving the SHC.

If you choose to file any portion of your visit to insurance, you are consenting to the SHC releasing the necessary documents for payment. While not common, the insurance company may request the health record to verify necessity to approve payment. The complete chart note for the date of service in question will be released; however, any excluded items will not be processed for payments and will not show up on the EOB received by the policy holder.

Any use or disclosure of your health records for purposes other than those permitted by HIPAA such as treatment, payment, and health care operations, require a Release of Information.