College examines Student Health

Dr. Judith Appleton's departure from the College after 20 years of service has precipitated a move by the College to initiate a process to develop a new student health plan on campus. A third-party administrator hired by the College recently drafted a 22-page request for proposal (RFP) that is currently being distributed to dent health care. Visits are financed by a student health care fee that each student pays on his term bill.

"The current system is enormously expensive, and I don't think for the money we're getting the highest value," Vice President of Finance Andy Evans said.

"It is anticipated that the establishment of this center should be financed entirely with expenditures less than the level currently being expended on the old student health plan," the proposal said. Thus, the students' payment system would not change under the new system.

Two years ago, Dean of Student Life and Services Charlene Cole-Newkirk was receiving a lot of complaints about Student Health Services. She had an outside agent solicit student thoughts and prepare a report outlining possible options for the College to take in order to improve patient satisfaction.

A year ago, an outside collegiate health services vendor conducted a similar survey and formulated options for the College.

Evans and Cole worked together to initiate the search for a new system of health care on campus. They hired a the firm of J.P. Foley to draft the RFP that describes what the College is looking for in a health care provider.

The proposal states that 5400 square feet are available for the health center; however, if the provider has an alternative suggestion for housing, the College would consider it. Evans said the College does not currently have the space set aside, but it has several options.

Evans said the space would not necessarily be on campus, depending on the proposals they receive.

Cole-Newkirk said the Oberlin clinic is currently developing a plan for an interim solution for after Appleton leaves. She said the College is accepting proposals from managed care providers until November 1. All the proposals will be reviewed by the Health plan board after that date.

"I need to get clarity about that," Cole-Newkirk said.

It will not be known how a new plan will change the current plan until a final proposal has been accepted; however, if a managed care system is accepted, it will probably affect student health care in different ways.

Evans did not specify that the provider chosen would be one of managed care, but he said the provider chosen would have to be oriented toward preventative medicine more than the current system is.

Managed care is a system of health care where a patient's overall health is looked at in a preventive rather than reactive manner. The system attempts to prevent large problems from emerging by providing adequate initial care. Within managed care, a health care provider can limit the care a patient can receive under the plan.

"Our number one goal is to improve student health care service," Evans said.

Evans said all the proposals will run through the health care planning board which is made up of faculty, staff and students.

Cole-Newkirk said alternative medicine is also being looked at to please the section of the student body that is interested in it. The request suggested the necessity for such medicinal opions in its opening statement. It mentioned some of the special needs of Oberlin that need to be handled through the health center and that providers need to recognize the unique culture of Oberlin College.

The provider must have "ready acceptance of diverse lifestyles of students which are a distinct part of this community," the RFP said.

The request outlines the types of care, facilities and access, and other considerations that must be considered by the provider.

The types of care requested includes routine medical care, immunizations, required physicals and laboratory services.

Women's Health Services were highlighted in the requests stating that special attention should be paid to instructional programs for breast self examination, programs to assure optimum rates of PAP tests and mammography. It also said sensitivity must be paid to lesbian and bi-sexual women, menopause and other matters specific to women's health.

Convenience was also stressed. "The health center should make care as convenient as possible for members of the Oberlin College Community. The availability of these drugs through the center is intended to increase the perception of convenience," the RFP stated.

Cole-Newkirk said the current attempt is one to get more favorable user-friendly service.

Currently, the Health Plan System provides for general medical services for student health, family practice, internal medicine, gynecology, pediatric and routine, general diagnostic lab work and plane film x-rays.

Care that is not included in the current plan is dental care, fitting of glasses, surgical and maternity care, specialist care, screening tests and tests ordered by doctors who are not members of the Oberlin Clinic.