Sindecuse a close and convenient option
By Koty Neelis
Western Herald

Karie Kuiper / Western Herald Sindecuse Health Center is located at the top of the hill off from Gilkison Ave. in parking lot #40.
One of the benefits of living on or near campus is having Sindecuse Health Center close by. Whether you’ve caught the common cold from your roommate, broken your leg while tray sledding down one of the many campus hills, or simply need a routine check up, Sindecuse Health Center offers a variety of treatment options.
Any student enrolled at Western Michigan University, Kalamazoo College, Kalamazoo Valley Community College or Davenport College is eligible to receive health care services at Sindecuse as well as any spouses or children over the age of 12. Campus visitors and camp participants are also welcome for acute care. Sindecuse is available for any medical need you may have, such as physical therapy, X-rays, blood tests, birth control, massage therapy and counseling.
If you have other health needs that aren’t pertaining to physical care you can make an appointment to speak with someone on their Medical Social Work team.
Their staff deals with issues that are common for college students, such as adjusting to campus life, dealing with roommate issues, crisis intervention, depression, and any other problems students may be dealing with while going to school.
Along with making appointments for physical and mental health, Sindecuse understands many students can seriously hurt themselves at all hours of the day. Sindecuse offers the health center’s Same-Day Care Clinic, designed for minor illnesses or injuries that cannot wait for an appointment.
If the illness or injury occurs after the clinic is closed, you can call Bronson Trauma and Emergency Center at 341-6386 or 226-4815.
There are two policies for Western Michigan University students.
The basic plan has a $200 deductible and then covers 80 percent of medical bills. It has $1,000 worth of pharmacy coverage, which is $10 co-pay for generic drugs and $20 for brand name.
The comprehensive plan has a $100 deductible and covers 90 percent of medical bills. It has $5,000 worth of pharmacy coverage with the same co- pays as the Basic plan, which also includes birth control.
“These are both good policies that cover students for illnesses and injuries,” said Cindy Clegg, University Student Insurance Program (USIP) Manager.
“They also conduct vision exams, annual physical exams, prescription, physical therapy and massage coverage, as well as many other benefits.”
If students meet the state of Michigan eligibility requirements, they may also be eligible for Medicaid, said Sindecuse Medical Social Work Director, Fran Morrow. SHC also offers treatment for students without insurance.
Starting Fall 2009 the insurance premium will be able to be paid out of your financial aid account if you contact the Student Insurance Office prior to the Financial Aid Office’s money disbursement date.
Sindecuse also offers a pharmacy where students can order prescriptions and a medical store that sells condoms at a bulk price. These items can be paid for in cash, credit or billed to your student account.
For more information regarding clinic hours, insurance plans, counseling, and other medical related needs call 387-3290 for an appointment or browse their Web site at http://www.wmich.edu/shc/.
Additional reporting contributed by Daing S. Nasir, Western Herald
Additional reporting contributed by Daing S. Nasir, Western Herald.
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