While currently enrolled students are required to pay the $19 health fee every semester through registration, many may not realize the various free services provided by this payment. Self-care, nutrition, and counseling are just some of the services available to students without charge.
Sharon Manakas, Registered Nurse, Master of Sciences in Nurses, and coordinator at the Moorpark Health Center explains that the staff is here to tend to students’ medical needs by relieving the financial burden and working with class/work schedules. Check-ups for health concerns, testing, and counseling are all available through appointment at no cost to the student.
Manakas hopes that these free services alleviate some of the students’ stress caused by waiving the co-pay required by regular practitioners.
“Although we do charge for lab work and medication, it’s at our cost, and we’re non-profit…we’re not here to make a profit off of our students,” Manakas said.
With new healthcare legislation placing the Affordable Care Act into effect as of January 1st, students are scrambling to find health insurance plans fit for them. Optional plans for medical, vision, and dental services are available in the health center at the students’ convenience.
Even with the legal requirement for individuals to have this coverage, Manakas urges students to take advantage of the school’s services to accommodate possible financial restraints when dealing with acute illnesses.
“Typically most students who buy this plan are not buying the ‘Cadillac plan,’ so they’re probably going to have high deductibles and co-pays,” Manakas said. “Where we come along, in order to see a medical provider for a flu, sinus infection, or urinary tract infection, there is no charge to see our physicians or nurse practitioners.”
Additional coverage through Family Pact, including all family planning, means additional services such as pap smears, birth control, STI testing, and treatment are all covered. Qualification for this coverage can be accessed at the health center.
Open Monday, Tuesday, Thursday 8-5, Wednesday 8-7, and Friday 8-Noon, the health center is located in the Administration Building room 111 for appointments and drop-ins at the provider’s schedules permit.
For more information call the health center at (805) 378-1413.
