Student Health Center Eligibility, Fees, Insurance, and Billing

To keep students on the road to success, our staff can assist you in addressing your healthcare needs and maintaining a healthy lifestyle. The NCCU Student Health Center has clinics and service offerings.  

The health fee is assessed at a set rate per credit hour and guarantees every enrolled student paying the health fee access to care at the Student Health Center. The health fee does not cover all medical services/charges provided by the Student Health Center. 

You can learn more about our healthcare providers under the Student Health Center clinical staff heading below. 

Who Is Eligible for Services 

North Carolina Central University students enrolled in on-campus classes who have paid any portion of the Student Health Center fee are eligible for service. This charge appears on your university account as “Fee Student Health."

All community members, however, are eligible to take advantage of the Student Health Center Pharmacy. 

What Does My Health Fee Cover?

• Health education services and programs
• Alcohol and other drug prevention and education programs
• Operational expenditures and building maintenance
• Positive social media presence 

The office is staffed with experienced and dedicated professionals who will file your medical claims. They communicate with patients and insurance companies to ensure your claims are processed correctly and in a timely manner. We realize that the billing process can be confusing, so we are here to help you better understand what you can expect.

The Student Health Center does not require payment on the day services are rendered for students. However, students may pay at the Student Health Center on the day of service if they so choose. If services are not paid on the day the services are provided, a transfer of the remaining balance will be sent to the student account office following the provision of care. That transfer means the outstanding debt will appear on the student’s account, and the debt must be paid to the bursar’s office.

What Is Not Covered by the Health Fee?

Auxiliary Services:

• Injections (Allergy, Depo, Vitamin B, etc.)
• Immunizations
• Durable medical goods (i.e., crutches, splints, etc.)
• Laboratory testing
• Pap smears
• Prescription and non-prescription medications
• Referrals to off-site medical consultants
• STI screening
• Vaccinations
• Office procedures (suturing, IV fluid EKGs, etc.).
• Physical exams for teaching, nursing, study abroad and pre-employment

No Show Fee

Time has been specifically reserved for your scheduled appointment, procedure or treatment. Failure to cancel your appointment within 24 hours will result in a $25.00 fee.  That transfer means the outstanding debt will appear on the student’s account, and the debt must be paid to the Student Accounting office.

To cancel your appointment, call 919-530-6317.

Payment for any charges incurred is due on the day of service. At the Student Health Center (SHC), we accept:

• Debit card/credit card (Discover, Mastercard, Visa)
• Apple/Google Pay
• Flexible spending accounts (FSAs)
• Charging the balance to your University student account

Right to Request Insurance Not Be Filed

Any patient has the right to request a certain visit be excluded from filing. To do so, just tell a Student Health Center Services staff member that you do not want insurance filed for that day. The student can pay for services by checking out with the front desk after the visit.

Charges to Your Student Account 

If charges are deferred to the University Student Accounting Office, payment should be made within 30 days of receiving services or before the end of the current semester, whichever comes first.

Charges can be sent to your University student account, which is where tuition and fees are billed. Please note this is not the same as your student health insurance fee.

When charges are posted to your student account, they appear as a “Medical Service Charge,” without any details about your visit, ensuring your privacy. It may take up to four (4) days for charges to appear on your account.

Please note:

• Unpaid balances may result in holds on your University student account, which can prevent you from registering for classes, accessing course schedules, graduating, or receiving transcripts.
• Any balance remaining beyond the current semester will begin to accrue interest and may be sent to the North Carolina Attorney General’s Office for collections, which could lead to garnishment of state income tax refunds and involvement of external collection agencies.

Accepted Insurance 

Medical 

The Student Health Center (not including the pharmacy) is considered an in-network provider for most of the following plans:

• Aetna: PPO, Managed Choice, POS, and EPO (with the exception of Aetna Select, Aetna CVS plans, and Aetna HMOs)
• Blue Cross Blue Shield: Traditional, Blue Choice/PPO, Network Blue/Blue Options (with the exception of Blue Local, Blue Home and Blue Select)
• Cigna: PPO, Open Access Plus (with the exception of Psychiatry Service and the “Connect Network or SureFit”)
• Medicaid Plans: Medicaid Direct, Healthy Blue, AmeriHealth Caritas, Carolina Complete, WellCare
• Medicaid Tailored Plans: Alliance Health, Partners Health Management, Trillium Health Resources, and Vaya Health.
• Tricare Select: Is considered a “Non-Network Participating Provider” with Tricare. Prime (Out-of-Network, Referral from your PCM is required).
• UNC System Student Health Insurance Plan (SHIP)

Just because your insurance plan is in network does not mean that all services will be covered or paid in full by the insurance company. Deductibles, co-pays, co-insurance, and charges not covered by your insurance plan will be billed to your student account after the insurance company has paid its share. This process may take from 30 to 90 days or more.

We are considered out-of-network for all other plans; check with your insurance carrier to find out your out-of-network benefits. However, most out-of-network plans pay less or none of the costs of your services. All insurance plans are different, so call your insurance company to verify benefits prior to your appointment. Their number is typically located on the back of your insurance card.

Pharmacy 

We are a full-service pharmacy serving the University community! We provide medication consultations, fill and refill prescriptions, and offer generic medications at a low cost, regardless of whether you pay the health fee.

We file as an in-network provider for most pharmacy insurance plans. Prescription can be faxed or dropped off at the pharmacy in SHC. The Student Health Center Pharmacy is currently contracted with the North Carolina Medicaid Managed Care plan. Patients with Medicaid or a Medicaid Managed Care plan for pharmacy benefits will be required to pay for the cost of the medication.

Unpaid balances will be transferred to the student's University tuition and fees bill.

The UNC System Student Health Insurance Plan (SHIP) premium will appear on your University student account once you register for courses and if you meet all of the eligibility criteria. The premium can be removed from the account by submitting an online waiver by the posted deadline.  Be aware that if you fail to waive coverage, the premium for SHIP is non-refundable after the posted deadline each semester. If you wish to enroll in the University Student Plan, we encourage you to do so during open enrollment. This ensures you will receive an insurance card as quickly as possible.

Please note, if you neither waive nor enroll in SHIP by the posted deadline, you will automatically be enrolled after the posted deadline.

Waive/Enrollment Dates: 

• Spring: November 1, 2025–February 2, 2026
• Fall: May 11, 2026–September 11, 2026

Health Insurance premiums are not included in the total cost of attendance. Students who purchase SHIP may contact their financial aid counselor to request the expense be included in their individual cost of attendance.

Medically necessary services, rendered by Student Health Service providers, are covered 100% (no copayment, no deductible) with the Student Blue Health Insurance Plan. Prescriptions filled by the Student Health Center Pharmacy are covered with a $15 co-payment per prescription or refill.

The following North Carolina Central University students are required to have health insurance and are automatically charged the current semesterly premium amount for the Student Health Insurance Plan (SHIP) when they register for the semester. You must provide proof of insurance online at the Student Blue link above in order to waive the premium:

Undergraduate students are eligible if they are: 

• Enrolled in a degree-seeking program, and
• Enrolled in six (6) or more on-campus credit hours, and
• An enrolled student, regardless of the number of hours, living in a Residence Life unit, and
• Eligible to pay the University Student Health Center Fee.

Graduate students are eligible if they are: 

• Enrolled in a degree-seeking program, and
• Enrolled in six (6) or more on-campus credit hours, and
• An enrolled student, regardless, of the number of hours, living in a Residence Life unit, and
• Eligible to pay the University Student Health Center Fee.

Special Populations

Veterans are eligible if they are:

• Enrolled in six (6) or more credit hours in a degree-seeking on-campus program or major.

Study Abroad, Co-op, and Student Interns:

Degree-seeking students participating in a UNC system campus-sponsored study abroad program are eligible for, but are not required to have, the UNC System SHIP. If you are one of these students, you may purchase SHIP for the entire semester or for the portion of the semester when you are not studying abroad.  Note: Study Abroad students are not automatically enrolled or charged for the plan. Study Abroad students must enroll themselves into the plan in order to participate in the plan.

Degree-seeking students participating in a co-op program or as a student intern are eligible for, but are not required to have, the UNC System SHIP.  Note: Co-op students and student Interns are not automatically enrolled or charged for the plan.  Co-op students and student interns must enroll themselves into the plan in order to participate in the plan.

Note: Students who are active military and/or dependents of active military parents are not required to waive the University-sponsored plan.

The UNC system mandates health insurance for most students. Students have the option to enroll in the Student Blue Plan, remain under their parents’ coverage, or secure their own policy. Proof of insurance must be submitted via an online waiver through the Student Blue Portal.

For Fall /Spring 2026, students have the option to select from two Student Blue Health Insurance plans: 

Undergraduate 

• Premium Plan: $1,583.50 per semester
• Value Plan: $1,226.80 per semester 

Graduate 

• Premium Plan: $1,802.92 per semester
• Value Plan: $1,396.54 per semester 

Review your emails from Student Blue and the NCCU Student Health Center each semester to check the current status of your waiver. 

Need help deciding? Check out these resources for more information:  

• Plan Comparison Tool
• 2025-2026 Informational Video

All International students with F1 and J1 Visas are required to have health insurance while attending North Carolina Central University. Students may enroll into the Student Health Insurance Plan or they may enroll in another US or home country plan that meets the University’s minimum health insurance requirements. In order to waive the Student Health Center Insurance Plan, students must complete the online waiver form with Blue Cross Blue Shield. 

Your health plan must meet the following minimum requirements:

• Minimum total benefit/coverage of $100,000 (USD) per accident or illness
• Plan deductible of no more than $500 (USD)
• Minimum of $50,000 (USD) for medical evacuation to the home country
• Minimum of $25,000 (USD) for repatriation coverage
• Policy must be active for the entire duration of the academic semester.

Important notice regarding non-US health insurance plans:  After completing the online insurance waiver, you will be required to send a copy of your policy declaration page for review. All information must be submitted in English, and all of the benefits and exclusions of the plan must be clearly stated. If the policy does not meet the minimum requirements and/or it is not completely in English, the waiver will automatically be declined, and the student must purchase the University-sponsored plan.

• Students are required to have health insurance. Students may remain on their parents’ insurance or purchase their own insurance. Students must provide proof of insurance by submitting an online waiver. Students without insurance may purchase and enroll in the Student Blue Student Health Insurance.
• For the most up-to-date status of your waiver request, refer to recent emails from Student Blue and the Student Health Center Insurance department.
• Please read all emails. Emails will be sent to the student’s university email address. Student Blue has the option for you to have a secondary email address, such as a parent’s address.
• To waive/enroll in the Student Health Center Insurance Plan, students must complete the online process at studentbluenc. Additional information describing the Student Insurance Benefits Plan is available at the above website.
• Students who do not wish to be enrolled in the Student Insurance Plan must complete the insurance waiver form online before the deadline date each semester after enrolling in classes.
• Please allow 5-7 business days after your waiver has been approved by the UNC System sponsored vendor for the charges to by removed from your university account.  

The deadline to waive/enroll in Student Blue Health Insurance is; 

• Spring Semester: February 2, 2026
• Fall Semester: September 11, 2026 

1. Visit StudentBlueNC.
2. If you do not already have a Student Blue account, click on the Enroll Now button. You'll then provide information to set up your account and complete the enrollment process.
   You now have two plans to choose from: a lower cost Value plan or our Premium plan offering richer benefits. Plus, rates will differentiated by graduate and undergraduate student status.
   Already have a Student Blue account? Enter your username (email address) and one-time passcode to access your account. Then, you can enroll.
3. You will get an email with the enrollment confirmation number. Save it for your records. Your Student Blue member ID card will be mailed to the address you provided. It's that easy!

To waive (if you have other coverage)

1. Visit StudentBlueNC.
2. If you do not already have a Student Blue account, click on the Walve Coverage button. You'll then provide information to set up your account and complete the waiver request process.
   Already have a Student Blue account? Enter your username (email address) and one-time passcode to access your account. Then, you can request a waiver.
3. Your waiver request will need to be approved or denied. You'll get another email confirming that approval or denial.
4. If your waiver is approved, the health insurance charge will then be removed from your student account.

To protect your privacy, we will not post medical details on your student account. We will give you an itemized statement upon request. When you use your health insurance, the policy holder (the main person on the health insurance plan) may receive an Explanation of Benefits (EOB) from the insurance company. The EOB lists the services you received, how much the insurance paid, and the amount (if any) that you are responsible for. You can decide at each appointment whether to use your insurance for that visit.  

Note: If you choose not to use your insurance, you will need to notify the nurse and/or provider at the time of your service. 

Deductible 
A deductible is the amount of out-of-pocket expenses the insured person (you) must pay for health services before benefits become payable by the insurance carrier. 

Co-Payments 
Co-payments are payments made by the insured person (you) toward the cost of a particular benefit. For example, an insurance plan might require a $20 co-pay for each 31-day supply of a prescription medication. An emergency room visit might have a $50 copay per visit plus 80% of preferred and allowable expenses. 

Coinsurance 
Co-insurance means the insured person (you) and the insurance carrier share costs according to a specified ratio (e.g. 80%: 20%) of the hospital or medical expenses resulting from a sickness or injury. 

Covered Illness/Sickness 
A covered illness/sickness is any disease, infection, or condition other than injury that is first treated or diagnosed by a doctor on or after the effective date of coverage under the insurance plan, unless pre-existing condition waivers apply. 

Covered Injury 
A covered injury is an accidental body injury that causes loss, directly and independently of all other causes, and is sustained on or after the effective date of coverage under the plan, unless pre-existing condition waivers apply. 

Preferred Provider Organization (PPO) 
PPO stands for Preferred Provider Organization. These are networks formed from different health care providers and facilities who agree to accept a discounted payment level for charges incurred by patients insured under a plan with that specific PPO. The campus-endorsed plan uses Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina as their PPO because it has the highest number of providers and facilities in their network. 

Pre-Existing Condition 
A pre-existing condition is an injury, illness, or pregnancy for which medical care or treatment or diagnosis or medical advice was received or recommended or medication was prescribed prior to the effective date of the insured person’s coverage under the insurance plan. United Healthcare’s pre-existing condition reads: Except for individuals who have been continuously insured under the school’s student insurance policy for at least 12 consecutive months; The pre-existing condition exclusionary period will be reduced by the total number of months that the insured provides documentation of continuous coverage under a prior health insurance policy which provided benefits similar to this policy. 

Referral 
A referral happens when students require services that cannot be provided in the NCCU Health Center. The Student Health Center staff arranges the referral with service providers in the student insurance’s network, if possible.

• Student Blue Customer Service: 888-351-8283, StudentBlueNC
• NCCU Student Accounts: 919-530-5071, [email protected]
• SHC Insurance Coordinator: 919-530-5427, [email protected]
• SHC Business Manager: 919-530-7336, [email protected]
• SHC Front Desk: 919-530-6317
• SHC Pharmacy Dept: 919-530-6289