Costs, Billing & Payments

Health Services charges for most services at Olin Health Center. Most costs are similar to what is charged in the community.

Fitness/Wellness program charges are expected at the time of the visit. Most other charges will be billed to the patient.

  • The "Three Visits"

    Registered MSU students will not be charged for the first three medical office visits of each academic year. The office visit includes the time with the medical provider to diagnose and make a plan of treatment. This does not include other services such as those listed below.

    There will be charges for services such as:

    • Laboratory tests (STI testing, throat swabs, TB tests, etc.)
    • X-rays, and prescriptions
    • Physical therapy
    • Allergy shots and immunizations, flu shots, HPV, tetanus, etc.
    • Surgical procedures such as fracture care, sutures (stitches), excision, incision, etc.
    • Medical supplies (brace, crutches, air cast, sling, etc.)
    • Fourth and subsequent medical visits

    Office visits are charged to un-enrolled students, Lifelong Ed students, and spouses of students.  Any student in the fifth (internship) year of the Teacher Certification Program is eligible for the "three visits".

  • Insurance Billing

    If you would like your insurance company billed for services, please bring your insurance card with you to your visit.

    If you do not have insurance or if your plan is with a company that will not reimburse us, a bill will be sent to you.  If you prefer the bill to be sent to your home address, be sure to tell the receptionist at the time of your visit.  For more information, visit our insurance page.

  • Billing Questions

    If you have a question about the bill or a general question about insurance coverage, contact a patient accounts representative by calling the number listed on the bill or one of the following numbers:

    Toll-Free: 1 (800) 964-3968

    Olin Patient Accounts Representatives: (517) 355-4516

    Specific questions about the health insurance policy covering the patient should be directed to the insurance company.

    Bills from Sparrow Regional Laboratories

    While many lab tests are performed in the Olin lab, some specimens are sent to Sparrow Regional Laboratories along with insurance information. If you receive a separate bill from Sparrow and have questions, use the contact information located on the billing statement.

  • Paying Your Bill

    Payments can be made online or by mail using the information found on the billing statement.

    Online payment can be made by credit or debit card. The online system cannot take Spartan Cash or Flexible Spending cards, or payments due to the Office of the University Physician.

    The MSU Health Care Central Billing Office is available Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at (800) 964-3968. Payment can usually be made with a credit card, debit card, Spartan Cash, or an HCSA. 

    • Credit card payments can also be made online through the MyMSUHealth patient portal or by calling the MSU Health Care Central Billing Office at (800) 964-3968.
    • Checks can be mailed to the address on the paper bill.
    • Cash payments are not accepted.
  • Federal No Surprises Act

    Your Rights and Protections Against Surprise Medical Bills

    Balance Billing Restrictions Notice

    Individuals are protected from surprise medical bills under both Michigan and federal law.

    Federal No Surprises Act

    Emergency Services: In general, an out-of-network provider may not balance bill a participant, beneficiary, or enrollee (“Member”) for emergency services. When a health plan covers a Member’s emergency services, the health plan must also cover emergency services a Member receives without prior authorization, even if the emergency services are out-of-network. If the emergency services are provided out-of-network, the health plan cannot impose on the Member any cost-sharing that is more restrictive than the in-network emergency services cost sharing would be. The Member’s cost-sharing payments for these emergency services must be counted toward their in-network deductible or out-of-pocket maximums for their current plan.

    Non-Emergency Services:

    In general, an out-of-network provider may not bill a Member for nonemergency services received at an in-network facility for more than the Member’s in-network cost-sharing amount. The non-emergency services must have been a benefit under the Member’s plan or coverage. Any of the Member’s cost-sharing payments for these services must be counted toward any in-network deductible or out-of-pocket maximums applied under the plan or coverage. These billing and cost-sharing restrictions would not apply if the provider gave the Member proper notice and consent.

    Notice and Consent Exception: 

    The balance billing restrictions for non-emergency services would not apply if the provider gave the Member a proper notice of the provider’s out-of-network status to which the Member consented. If the out-of-network provider obtained a proper notice and consent from the Member, then the out-of-network provider would not be limited to collecting the in-network cost sharing amount from the Member.

    Michigan Surprise Medical Billing Law

    Emergency Services: In general, an out-of-network provider may not charge a Member more than the Member’s in-network coinsurance, copayment, or deductible for emergency services provided at either an in-network or out-of-network facility, so long as the Member’s health benefit plan covers the emergency services provided.

    Non-Emergency Services: In general, an out-of-network provider may not charge a Member more than the Member’s in-network coinsurance, copayment, or deductible for non-emergency services provided at an in-network facility. This billing restriction applies when the Member’s plan otherwise covers the non-emergency services provided to the Member, and either the Member doesn’t have the ability or opportunity to choose an in-network provider or the Member was not provided with proper disclosure of the provider’s out-of-network status prior to the services.

    State/Federal Contact Information: If you believe a provider has violated any balance billing restrictions, you may contact the following agencies.

    Michigan: You may file a complaint with the Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs online at https://www.michigan.gov/lara/0,4601,7-154-89334_72600_73836_93200-498824--,00.html.

    Federal: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, by phone at 1-877-696-6775.

General Information