The health center fee does not cover all possible charges at the health center. Here is an overview of which services are generally covered by student fees and which will incur a charge:
| Covered* | Fee* | |
| Five “talking” office visits with a Medical or Travel Clinic provider every July – June (e.g., talking with a provider about a medical concern such as a cough that won’t go away, a rash that recently developed or unexplained pain in an area of the body) | X | |
| Medical procedures (e.g., stitches, IUD or Nexplanon insertion, etc.) | X | |
| Preventive exams (e.g., women’s or men’s wellness exams) | X | |
| Psychiatric and mental health visits | X | |
| Health clearance for Campus-Recreation-sponsored sports clubs (Scuba diving, weight management, varsity sports, walk-on football, basketball and cheerleading are not covered by UPFF and will have a charge) | X | |
| Routine Physicals | X | |
| X-Rays | X | |
| Flu shots (free for all currently enrolled UNL students, regardless of paying UPFF) | X | |
| Immunizations other than flu shots | X | |
| First physical therapy consultation | X | |
| Physical therapy evaluation and treatment | X | |
| First nutrition counseling visit with the registered dietitian | X | |
| Follow-up visits with the registered dietitian | X | |
| Doctor-ordered wellness profiles | X | |
| Doctor-ordered chlamydia, gonorrhea and HIV testing | X | |
| Laboratory services beyond doctor-ordered wellness profiles and covered STI testing*** | X | |
| Other over-the-counter pharmacy items | X | |
| Prescriptions | X | |
| Specialty Care visits (e.g. Optometry, Demartology, Orthopaedic, and Concussion Clinic) | X | |
| Dental services | X | |
| Allergy clinic services | X | |
| Gynecological services | X | |
| Cold Care Kits and other free self-care items while supplies last | X |
*Covered services are subject to change without notice.
**This list is not all-inclusive and may not include all available services.
***Certain STI testing may be covered by grant funds and no cost to students who qualify
Patients are financially responsible for charges not covered by the health center fee. If you aren’t certain whether your visit will be covered by the health center fee, contact Nebraska Medicine Patient Financial Customer Services at 1.866.662.8662 or visit the University Health Center billing and insurance office on level two, south of the medical check-in desk.
Insurance helps pay costs not covered by the health center fee. If you’re looking for an insurance plan, consider the university’s student insurance option.
In addition to the covered services above, all currently enrolled UNL students, regardless of whether or not they pay the health center fee, are eligible to receive a 35% discount on laser vision correction services at Truhlsen Eye Institute. You must show your NCard during the consultation to receive the discount.
What is UPFF?
The University Program and Facilities Fee is part of the cost of attending the university and is essential to the support of vital functions within the university community, including the health center. All enrolled students—even those pursuing an off-campus course such as student teaching—are assessed student fees along with tuition, whether or not they plan to take advantage of fee-funded facilities and services.
The University Health Center fee is part of the University Program and Facilities Fee Fund B. This is a fee billed as part of the total tuition package each semester. This fee covers staff salaries and operating costs, which is preferred over fee-for-service for all services because this can deter students from seeking care when they need it.
To learn more about the UPFF, visit the Student Affairs website.
Students Required to Pay The Fee
Most students are automatically assessed the University Program and Facilities Fee for the University Health Center, including:
- Enrolled University of Nebraska-Lincoln undergraduate and graduate students taking at least one on-campus credit hour (including students enrolled in "on-campus" dissertation)
- Enrolled UNMC nursing and dental students taking one or more on-campus credit hours
- Students enrolled in student insurance and use the health center for care
Students Not Required to Pay the Fee
All UNL and UNMC Lincoln students who are enrolled in the University of Nebraska student insurance policy are required to pay the fee to obtain services in our building if they have not been automatically assessed.
Students who are not automatically assessed the University Health Center UPFF fee include:
- UNL/UNMC Lincoln undergraduate and graduate students who are not enrolled in at least one on-campus credit hour unless enrolled in the University of Nebraska student insurance policy
- UNL/UNMC Lincoln students enrolled in only Distance Education, Online Distance Classes, Field or Contact credits and are not taking at least one on-campus credit hour
- UNL/UNMC Lincoln students who graduated and are not returning to UNL for the next academic semester (these students may only use the health center for ONE semester after they are no longer enrolled at UNL)
- Enrolled UNMC nursing and dental students who are not enrolled in at least one on-campus credit hour unless enrolled in the University of Nebraska student insurance policy
- UNL/UNMC Lincoln postdoctoral scholars unless enrolled in the University of Nebraska student insurance policy
- UNL/UNMC Lincoln professional students unless enrolled in the University of Nebraska student insurance policy
- UNL Law students unless enrolled in the University of Nebraska student insurance policy
- UNL Veterinary Sciences students unless enrolled in the University of Nebraska student insurance policy
- Visiting scholars/campers
UNL/UNMC Lincoln students may elect to pay the fee at the time of their first visit or will be charged fee-for-service for the care they receive. In most cases, the health center fee is less than the fee-for-service, which is why we recommend all students seeking care at the health center elect to pay the health center fee.
All UNL and UNMC Lincoln students who are enrolled in the University of Nebraska student insurance policy are required to pay the fee to obtain services at the University Health Center if they have not been automatically assessed.
The UPFF can be billed directly to your student account or paid out-of-pocket by NCard, credit card, cash or check.
Health Fee Amount
For each academic year, the fee is approximately $150 per semester during fall and spring and $55 per summer semester. The charge is included in students’ bill for each semester they are enrolled and meet the payment criteria outlined above. This fee is subject to annual review and adjustment by ASUN, the office of Student Affairs and the Board of Regents.
Frequently Asked Questions
I don’t anticipate using the University Health Center. Why do I have to pay the fee?
You never know when you may need care. Also to be equitable, the university charges the fee to cover staff salaries and operating costs so that all students can have access to a high-quality, comprehensive health care facility on campus. This approach is preferred over fee-for-service for most-used services because this could deter students from seeking care when they need it.
Can I request an exemption from paying the health center fee?
No. The health center fee is part of UPFF Fund B, which students cannot be exempt from if they are an undergraduate or graduate student enrolled in at least seven credit hours in the fall/spring semesters and at least six credit hours in the summer semester.
If I study abroad, will I have to pay the health center fee?
No, you will not be automatically assessed the fee.
I’m currently receiving scholarships and/or financial aid. Can these be used to cover the fee?
Yes. The UPFF is included in your tuition costs used to calculate financial aid eligibility.
If I’m enrolled in the university’s student insurance plan and pay the UPFF, am I paying for the same services twice?
No. The student insurance plan and the UPFF cover two different sets of services and do not overlap. The student insurance plan was designed to cover students’ health care needs beyond what is covered by the UPFF, such as specialty care, prescriptions, dental care, inpatient care, etc. It is required to pay the UPFF if you are enrolled in the student insurance plan and use the health center.
I have my own insurance plan. Do I have to pay this fee?
Yes. The UPFF health center fee covers the cost of staff salaries and operating costs so that students have access to a high-quality, comprehensive health center on campus, regardless of whether or not you choose to use services.
I am a UNO/UNK student and have the University of Nebraska student insurance policy. Does my policy cover 100% of services in the building? Do I need to pay UPFF?
We are a participating provider for the University of Nebraska student insurance policy and will bill your policy for all services in the building. UNO/UNK students are not eligible to pay UPFF and do not receive 100% coverage for services in our building.