What is the new Student Health Fee, and how will it appear on my bill?

Starting fall 2026, all Kent Campus students, except students enrolled in study-away/education-abroad programs, College Credit Plus, Kent State Online, College of Podiatric Medicine, and Dissertation I and II, will be charged a Student Health Fee each fall and spring semester. The fee amount is based on how many credit hours you’re taking and will appear as a separate line on your student account/bill.

Students enrolled in summer courses, excluding students enrolled in study-away/education-abroad programs, College Credit Plus, Kent State Online, College of Podiatric Medicine, and Dissertation I and II, will not be assessed a summer Student Health Fee but will still have unlimited access to the health center.

Students paying the fee will receive access to visits to the health center without the need to present a co-pay at the time of service. For those students who carry medical insurance, your policy will be billed as it would in any other care setting.

For those students who are uninsured or who choose to be self-pay, care will be provided within the clinic at standard rates. For those students who are uninsured and for whom the cost of services would cause financial hardship, the care outlined above will be provided so long as the student attests that they do not have insurance and the cost of care would result in a financial hardship. Any outside referrals for testing, medication, imaging or other diagnostic tests will require payment to the outside provider and are not covered by the Health Access Fee.

The students who are not charged the Student Health Fee will still have access to healthcare on campus but will be required to pay a co-pay per visit and other standard fees determined at the time of service. For those students who are uninsured and have not paid the Student Health Fee, care and payment alternatives will be presented at the time of service.

For summer 2026, students enrolled in summer classes who were assessed the Student Health Fee during the fall and spring terms will continue to have unlimited access to healthcare services throughout the summer. The student groups that are not assessed the Student Health fee will still have access to healthcare on campus but will be required to pay per visit during the fall, spring and summer sessions. The Student Health Fee will go into effect in fall 2026.

What does the Student Health Fee cover, and how is it different from health insurance?

The Student Health Fee is an access fee, not a health insurance policy. The fee will provide students with access to acute, primary and preventive care without the concern of presenting a co-pay at the time of treatment. The Student Health Fee does not cover referrals or any care, testing, medications or referrals provided outside of DeWeese Health Center.

What health insurance plans are accepted by DeWeese Health Center/NEOMED Health Care?

NEOMED Health Care accepts more than 30 insurance plans, both in-network and out-of-network. Please call us or contact your insurance company to confirm whether NEOMED Health Care is in-network with your plan and to determine what is covered by your plan as well as information on deductibles and coinsurance amounts.

Please bring a copy of your insurance card and student ID with you when you come to receive any type of health services from NEOMED Health Care.

If you do not have health insurance coverage: Please contact us to discuss options. You can also explore marketplace plans at healthcare.gov.

Does the Student Health Fee apply to students who have personal health insurance?

Yes. All eligible Kent Campus students pay the Student Health Fee per semester, regardless of whether they carry personal health insurance. The fee is an access guarantee to on-campus care.

If I don’t have to pay a co-pay at the time of service, does that mean all visits are completely free after I pay the Student Health Fee?

The Student Health Fee allows students to receive treatment without the concern of paying a co-pay at the time of treatment. All other charges for services provided by NEOMED Health Care at DeWeese Health Center will be based on your insurance coverage.

As described elsewhere, for students who carry medical insurance, their policy will be billed as it would in any other care setting. For those students who choose to self-pay or are uninsured and for whom the cost of services would cause financial hardship, the care outlined above will be provided so long as the student attests that they do not have insurance and the cost of care would result in a financial hardship. Any outside referrals, testing, medication or other diagnostic tests will require payment outside of the Student Health Fee.

As an international student who must buy the university’s student health insurance, will I still be charged the new Student Health Fee?

NEOMED Health Care will be working with United Health Care to establish the current provisions of this policy throughout the billing entity or Management Services Organization. Further details will be forthcoming.

Will full-time employees with university insurance who are also taking classes be required to pay the Student Health Fee?

Yes, all enrolled students will be assessed the Student Health Fee based on the number of credits being taken. Student groups excluded from the fee include College Credit Plus, Kent State Online, College of Podiatric Medicine, Dissertation I and Dissertation II and or students participating in study-away or education-abroad programs.

Can I get a Student Health Fee refund or waiver?

Refunds: Refunds for the Student Health Fee follow the same refund schedule as noted on the policy register 7-06:

• Prior to the first day of classes, 100%
• Entire first week of classes, 100%
• Second week of classes, 80%
• Third week of classes, 65%
• Fourth week of classes, 60%
• After the end of the fourth week of classes, no refunds will be made
• Waiver: There is no waiver option for the Student Health Fee.

I am a community member or someone not affiliated with Kent State. What does payment look like for me?

NEOMED Health Care accepts more than 30 insurance plans, both in-network and out-of-network. Please call us or contact your insurance company to confirm whether NEOMED Health Care is in-network with your plan and to determine what is covered by your plan as well as information on deductibles and coinsurance amounts.

---

More questions?

If you have more questions about the fee, please email Kent State’s Office of the Dean of Students at ODOS@kent.edu.