Costs of Services
Office visit charges for new and established patients can vary. Additional charges apply for lab, X-Ray, physical therapy, and pharmacy. Check with the billing staff for the charges for specific services.
University Health Services will submit patients' bills to their insurance companies. If we are in-network with your plan, we will accept what your insurance company pays and only charge you for co-pays, co-insurance, and deductibles. If your insurance company does not cover a service, you may be liable for that portion of the bill also. If we are out-of-network with your insurance company you may be responsible for the entire amount of the bill.
Determining your Insurance Coverage
We strongly recommend that you contact your insurance company, using the phone number on your insurance card, to verify what type of coverage you have in the State College area or the area near your campus. We also recommend you ask your insurance provider about the coverage of the services you plan to receive.
Your insurance provider may ask for the following information:
- Tax ID #246000376 or NPI# 1316063126.
- UHS Address: 308 Student Health Center, 542 Eisenhower Rd. University Park, PA 16802
Permission to Discuss Medical Billing
In compliance with state and federal laws, Medical Healthcare Solutions (MHS) staff and University Health Services (UHS) financial services staff cannot release personal student health information including billing and insurance claim information without a student's written consent.
- If you wish to provide consent to a parent, guardian, or other individual, please print and complete the Permission to Discuss Medical Billing and Charges Form. Completion of the form in its entirety is required. Only hand-written signatures will be accepted.
- Submit the form electronically or mail the complete form to:
- University Health Services
Financial Services
308 Student Health Center
542 Eisenhower Rd.
University Park, PA 16802
- University Health Services
Common Billing Questions
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Uninsured or underinsured students can contact Student Care and Advocacy through the Basic Needs Request Form to research health insurance plan options. The staff can help students determine if they qualify for government-subsidized health insurance plans such as Medicaid.
Additionally, students are eligible to purchase the Penn State Student Health Insurance Plan (SHIP). All undergraduate students taking six or more in-person credits, graduate students taking 4 or more in-person credits, or law students taking 6 or more in-person credits are eligible to purchase the plan. The plan is offered through United Healthcare Student Resources.
- Penn State World Campus students are not eligible for the Penn State Student Health Insurance Plan.
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If your insurance is not accepted at University Health Services, out of network benefits, if you have them, will apply.
If your insurance does not cover you in the area where your campus is located, you may consider purchasing the Student Health Insurance Plan (SHIP) for Penn State. All undergraduate students taking three or more credits or graduate students taking one or more credits are eligible to purchase the plan.
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If you belong to an HMO plan, call your insurance company, even if it is one of the companies we accept, to verify where you can receive treatment. Some HMO plans will issue guest memberships.
Tell the insurance company that you are a student at University Park and ask whether you will need:
- A guest pass, or
- A change of the designated primary care provider (PCP)
A change of the designated primary care provider (PCP)Ask whether you will need a referral or prior authorization in order to be seen at University Health Services
Your insurance provider may ask for the following information:
- Tax ID #246000376 or NPI# 1316063126
- Address: 308 Student Health Center, 542 Eisenhower Rd. University Park, PA 16802.
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University Health Services is currently a participating provider with the following insurance companies. Please check with your insurance company to verify coverage for services.
- Student Health Insurance Plan (SHIP) for Penn State
- Aetna
- Amerihealth Caritas Pennsylvania
- Blue Cross (Please contact your plan for benefit coverage)
- Cigna
- Geisinger Medicaid
- Highmark Blue Shield
- Highmark Wholecare
- Jefferson PA Medicaid
- Keystone Central HMO
- Keystone First
- PA Health and Wellness
- PA Medical Assistance (fee for service plan) and United Health Care Community Plan
- Tricare East
- UnitedHealthcare (listed in their provider directory as The Pennsylvania State University)
- United Health Community Plan PA Medicaid
- UPMC
- UPMC for You
- The University Ambulance Service is enrolled with Medicare and Pennsylvania Medical Assistance (Medicaid). The ambulance service is out of network for all insurance plans; patients are responsible for the charges in full and your insurance company may reimburse some or all of the charges based on your plan’s benefits.
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UHS is now contracted with all PA Medicaid plans. Patients should contact their plan and choose University Health Services as their PCP.
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Most claims will be sent to your insurance company. If you did not give us your insurance information at your first visit, you have 24 hours to get this information to University Health Services. Once 24 hours have passed, the charges will be posted to your Bursar account. You can print the bill from myUHS and submit the charges to your insurance company. You are responsible for any charges that your insurance company does not cover.
If you do not want charges sent to your insurance company, notify the receptionist and arrange to pay by cash, check, or credit card (Discover, Visa, MasterCard, or American Express). You can also charge your bill to your Bursar account.
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Student’s bills are available through myUHS. You will be asked to provide your Penn State WebAccess user ID in order to enter our secure website. Select “Billing Statements.” Select visit date. Click “Print Statement” on the upper right of the screen.
- Print a copy of your bill. Pharmacy and ambulance bills are not available online.
Charges that have been uploaded to your student Bursar account will appear in LionPATH. Payment is made to the Bursar either through LionPATH or at the Bursar’s Office in 103 Shields Building.
Insurance Coverage for Penn State
Penn State provides students with the option to enroll in the Student Health Insurance Plan at Penn State. The plan provides comprehensive coverage to help students stay focused on their educational goals while supporting their health and well-being.
Payment & Billing Concerns
Penn State understands that unexpected medical costs can create stress and uncertainty. If you’re having trouble paying your University Health Services bill or managing insurance coverage, help is available. Our goal is to ensure you get the care you need—without letting cost become a barrier to your health or success.
The UHS & UPUA Wellness Fund
The UHS & UPUA Wellness Fund helps Penn State students at University Park afford essential medical care when cost or insurance barriers stand in the way. Administered in partnership with the Office of Student Aid, the fund provides financial assistance for most services at University Health Services and connects students with a case manager for personalized support.
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At this time, the fund is only available to undergraduate and graduate students enrolled at the University Park campus. The fund can be used by students who do not have medical insurance coverage or students who have high co-pays and deductibles or their insurance does not cover them locally. Additionally, it can be used to protect your privacy if you're worried about utilizing your parent/guardian insurance.
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The Wellness Fund can be used for all University Health Services billable services with the exception of pharmacy charges, ambulance charges, labwork sent to Quest Diagnostics, and no-show fees. The fund also does not cover referrals to external (non-UHS) providers).
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If you feel you need assistance from the fund to help pay for your University Health Services appointment, please schedule a visit with a UHS Case Manager. A Case Manager can assist you in scheduling your appointment in a timely manner and will notify UHS Financial Services that you will be using the UPUA Wellness Fund to help pay for your visit. Case Managers can also connect you to additional resources, such as options for health insurance and resources if you are experiencing financial hardship.
Basic Needs Deserve to be Met
We believe that our students deserve the opportunity to thrive and that basic needs are an essential part of success. Access to basic needs support and resources, in a judgment free and welcoming space, are available for every Penn State student.
