HCC changes for 2026-27

THIS IS A DRAFT PAGE, still in development. Please share thoughts on additions, clarifications, etc.

 

As is being shared with students, families, and campus partners in various ways (see bottom of page for examples), the 2026-27 academic year will include several changes to Health & Counseling Center (“HCC”)-related services and billing practices, summarized below. 

These will apply to Law/semester students as of August 1st, and to quarter students as of September 1st.

  • Student Health Fee

    Each enrolled term, all eligible students will be billed the same, single Student Health Fee (was the “Health & Counseling Fee, HCF”) to support campuswide health and wellness resources. Like technology or activity fees, this cannot be waived or reduced, regardless of their program level or enrollment date. 

    Like premiums for the DU Student Health Insurance Plan (SHIP), the Health Fee is billed to students’ central Student Billing account.

  • HCC clinical services billed to insurance, including SHIP

    Beginning this fall, the HCC will begin charging most medical and counseling services to students’ insurance, which means all students are likely to have out-of-pocket expenses each HCC visit, such as copays–just as you would at off-campus providers. 

    These costs will also be applied toward each patient's annual deductible and out-of-pocket maximum according to the terms of their specific insurance policy (DU SHIP or other). 

    So, HCC Service Fees will change, with the out-of-pocket costs being determined by the student’s specific insurance plan and deductible/out-of-pocket max status. [Replace current post with “rack rate” and SHIP rate]

     

    Students with DU Student Health Insurance Plan (SHIP)

    As noted above, all students—even those on SHIP—will now be expected to pay visit co-pays (usually $25) and/or other service fees (for labs, procedures, etc) when using HCC medical or counseling services. This is just as you would when using SHIP or other insurance at most any off-campus, community-based provider.

    However, unlike in past years, these HCC visits (along with any expenses from off-campus providers) will be applied toward your annual deductible and out-of-pocket maximums, meaning SHIP will pay more, sooner, after you reach those limits.

    Note that even if your academic program covers the cost of SHIP premium (and/or Student Health Fee), you are responsible for these service costs. 

     

    We have prepared a few examples of common visit types and likely costs. TO BE ADDED

     

    Students with approved SHIP waivers (on own, non-DU insurance)

    Currently, non-SHIP students (except Medicaid) can use HCC medical and mental health services, pay entirely out of pocket, and then submit the HCC receipt for possible reimbursement from your plan. 

    While not available yet, we are finalizing contracts with multiple insurance plans, including Colorado Medicaid, to become “in network” providers. The HCC will notify students as we are able to bill their insurance plan directly, based on information submitted for SHIP waiver.

     

    Students on Colorado HealthFirst (Medicaid)

    The HCC is not yet a Medicaid-approved provider; so students on Medicaid are not yet able to use scheduled HCC clinical services. Please continue using off-campus, approved providers. We will notify you as soon as we receive approval to see Medicaid patients!

     

  • Communications

    Campus-wide communication regarding these updates began during the summer, shared with both current and incoming students. This HCC website provides full details and ongoing reference; and our staff are available to answer questions. 

    Below is a list of most of these notices, FYI:

    • SHIP and Health Fee changes presented in New Student & Family Programs' summer webinar series, June 22nd
    • notes included in emails to continuing students about 2025-26 SHIP expiration, and all students about 2026-27 annual insurance decision reminders
    • email to campus partners 
    • overview post to NSFP Family Experience online portal
    •  
  • Why these changes?

    The new organizational structure brings together proactive physical and relational wellness programs within Division of Student Affairs, and more intentional institutional efforts to support well-being as part of the 4D Experience.

    These 3rd party insurance acceptance has been several years in the making, and much requested by students (and parents and staff); we’re sorry it is not fully ready for start of the school year as we’d hoped. We also recognize the details will be new for returning students, and represent a major change in how clients/patients pay for care at the HCC.  

    But altogether, these financial updates will expand student access to the convenient, high quality HCC medical and counseling care, and stabilize funding for a range of current campus health services and strategic initiatives. 

    These changes will also bring HCC model more in line with other campus health centers and community-based US insurance/provider systems, providing students additional real-world experience in navigating…

 

Still have questions about how this applies to you? Feel free to email hccinfo@du.edu, or call 303.871.2205 during business hours.