The University Health Center at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln is now operated by Nebraska Medicine, and the change in management has brought in a new patient health record system.
According to Jill Lynch-Sosa, the director of student health operations for Nebraska Medicine, UNL began exploring options to outsource the health center a few years ago.
“As an academic health science center, the University of Nebraska Medical Center and Nebraska Medicine offers patients world-class health care, backed by the latest research innovations,” Lynch-Sosa said. “It only made sense that UNL would reach out to its sister campus.”
After the decision was made, the health center staff became Nebraska Medicine employees Jan. 1. UNMC implemented the EPIC medical record system June 28.
“EPIC is the most successful and widely used electronic healthcare record (EHR) software in the industry,” Lynch-Sosa said. “While we are fully integrated on EPIC at this point, the UHC staff are still learning the new EHR, and there may be some slight delays as we build up our speed in the new system.”
There will be many benefits with the system, for both patients and health professionals, she said. An online patient portal will allow patients to view medical records, including medications, immunizations, allergies and medical history. Lynch-Sosa said patients can also view many test results, request appointments and ask questions of their providers via secure messages.
There will also be some changes with the billing system.
“The bills will be coming from Nebraska Medicine since we are part of that larger system,” Lynch-Sosa said. “In response to parent input, we are now in network with most insurance companies. Most students remain covered under their parents’ insurance plan until the age of 26. Parents strongly recommended the UHC accept a variety of insurance plans. This year, we are covered by all major plans.”
Lynch-Sosa said students will still be able to have their health center bills go through their MyRed account.
“The only difference that students will see is that the bill used to say, ‘University Health Center – UNL’,” Lynch-Sosa said. “Now, it’s going to be from Nebraska Medicine because all of that billing function will happen at Nebraska Medicine. It saves some resources for us.”
Another change is how the health center will use University and Program Facility Fees. For students who have paid the UPFF Fund B fees, the number of covered Counseling and Psychological Services visits has increased from three to four. The health center has also added 100 percent coverage on some wellness labs and STD testing.
Lynch-Sosa said the health center is being cautious about increasing services to make sure it can afford it.
“I wish that we could do more, honestly,” Lynch-Sosa said. “We’re taking a very conservative approach in making sure that we can afford it because one of our biggest things is that we do not want to ever have to go in and ask for more UPFF.”
Lynch-Sosa said the UHC has done well without asking for any increases in the last few years.
Last year, the Committee for Fee Allocations actually offered more money for CAPS because of the need on campus. The health center accepted the funds, aiming to put them toward something very specific that was measurable.
Lynch-Sosa said it was important to be able to come back and say, “This is what you’re paying for.”
A full list of covered services is available on the health center’s website here.
