North Carolina Newspapers

Page 8 - The Banner — News March 6,1997 Health continued from page one In the last 10 years, there have been no major claims paid out by theinsurance company on UNCA’s existing student policy. If that should happen, Pyeritz warned, there would be no way that the approximately 60 to 80 students who routinely sign up for insurance through the university each year could afford to pay the overall cost of the premiums. In the end, he said, the result would likely cause the cancellation of the policy. “All we need is one major claim against us, and we will probably not be insured by that company again,” Pyeritz said. “That’s the problem with the way the system is now.” Under the guidelines of UNCA’s current policy, brokered by ABCO 100 insurance brokers in Greens boro, N.C., basic coverage pays medical costs up to $2500. If health care exceeds that amount, a student must then pay a $50 deductible and 20 percent of the total bill up to $10,000. If a student has paid for addi tional catastrophic coverage, which costs about another $250 in an nual premiums, the insurance com pany will pay total medical costs up to $100,000. “It’s really a good policy for stu dents,” Pyeritz said. “But it does focus more on injuries. The cover age is better for injuries than for sickness.” Like any insurance policy, Pyeritz advised students to read the fine print before committing to it. There are many situations and procedures, like dental problems, that are not covered in this particu lar policy. It also excludes pre-exist ing conditions diagnosed within the previous two years. Contrary to the occasional cam pus rumor, health service workers said they do not administer drug screens to insurance applicants or those filing claims. Pyeritz said that in this era of managed care, many students who think they are covered by their par ents’ insurance plan often find out too late that they are only insured at designated medical facilities, and those are generally close to the resi dence of the policy-holder . In an age of expanding health maintenance organizations, Pyeritz said, many insurance plans only work with specific doctors, hospi tals, or even labs. It is important to find out this type of information before emer gencies arise. Finally, one unique feature about the student insurance policy con cerns where to initially seek medi cal attention. Because rates for UNCA students are based in part on the services and abilities available at the on-campus health center, students are required to first consult with the staff at Weizenblatt Health Center when ever possible. The physician and his staff will then refer patients to other doctors or specialists. It is also worth noting that students are responsible for filing all insurance claims for off- campus medical care. For more information, contact stu dent health services at 251-6520. i Ever wondered what your health fees really buy you? First of all, it gets you a free trip to the doctor at Weizenblatt Hall. On an average day, health services staff members tend to about 21 patients, said office manager Donna Parker. With the exception of nominal lab fees, for example an HIV test is $20, students pay no money for office visits. Student health services also ad minister work- or school-related physicals, provide counseling and stress management, sponsor sub- PHOTO BY JENNIFER THURSTON Public safety officers found hypodermic syringes, along with other drug paraphernalia, at the campsite on UNCA property. Campsite cont. from page one An abandoned well off the trail is another safety concern, Martin said. The well is about 50 feet deep and attempts had recently been made to re-open it. The physical plant will close the well. The area is often used by people to drink alcohol and dump gar bage, Martin said. The Physical Plant will also begin cleaning up the entire area over the next few months. “It’s a shame because people are trashing an area, and now you’ve got an environmental problem,” Martin said. Martin discovered the campsite while searching the area for aban doned stolen property from the campus car break-ins last fall. Pub- , lie safety officers made numerous trips to the site at different times to try to find the occupant. But in lieu of making a charge, it was better to clear the site, Martin said. “You’ve got a guy sitting down there, maybe hiding from the law, probably drunk, with drugs and firearms, just off the trail. The po tential is scary. That’s why we wanted to rip it down quickly,” Martin said. stance abuse and smoking cessa tion programs. Condoms and other educational materials are also included at no cost in the $47 semester fee. “Student fees pay for all profes sional services and office visits,” said Clinic Coordinator Linda Pyeritz. “Here at UNCA, we have the second lowest health service fee in the whole North Carolina collegiate system.” According to UNCA physician Eric Pyeritz, the sum total of these fees, or about $150,000 annually, accounts for 92 percent of health services’ entire revenues. The remaining eight percent comes mostly from procedural charges. A minor procedure, such as the extraction of an in-grown toe nail, for example, costs $5. Laboratory work, which includes screening for sexually transmitted diseases, pregnancy, thyroid prob lems, or other blood-related ill nesses, range in price from $9 to $30. They also have antibiotics on hand, and sell them cheaper than most pharmacies. “All prescriptions are $7,” Ms. Pyeritz said. The only other phar maceuticals they dispense are birth control pills, which cost students $5 for a month’s supply, she added. The Mountain Area Family Health Center on W.T. Weaver Boulevard is open to UNCA stu dents for after-hour medical care and emergencies, Peyritz said. Student health services do not operate when classes are not in session. They will be closed dur ing spring break, and will resume their normal schedule on March 17. In America, you are not required to offer food to the hungry. Or shelter to the homeless. In fact, one of the nicest things about living here in America is that you really don't have to do anything for anybody. March is Women's History Month To the 80 million of you who volunteered time and money last year, thanks for all you've given, imagine what more could do. Call 1-800-55-GIVE 5. It’s what in the world you can do. FREE T-SHIRT + $1000 Credit Card fundraisers for fraternities, sororities & groups. Any campus organization can raise up to $1000 by earning a whopping $5.00/ VISA application. Call 1-800-932-0528 ext. 65. Qualified callers receive FREE T-SHIRT. By Stephanie Hunter staff Writer UNCA’s women’s studies program has planned many events, presenta tions, exhibits, and workshops in March to celebrate Women’s His tory Month. “The purpose of this month is to focus on some of the aspects of academia, history, and different issues that have been ig nored tradition ally,” said Debra Van Engelen, di rector of the women’s studies program and coor dinator of UNCA’s celebration of Women’s History Month. “One of the pur poses of the women’s studies program and this month, in particular, is to highlight women who have made significant contributions throughout history that were often not included in the formal course work,” said Van Engelen. “I think this is an opportunity to feature that.” “It is an opportunity to talk about current events and current issues. It’s also an opportunity for people, just on an individual basis, whether they are men or wqmen, to learn and experience some new ideas,” said Van Engelen. Campuses everywhere commemo rate this month which Congress has named Women’s History Month, said Van Engelen. She indicated that UNCA alone has numerous events scheduled for March. On March 4, Louly Peacock Konz, an art historian for UNC-Chapel Hill, will talk about 19th and 20th century women artists who used a specific art style. Also, on March 4, photographer Priscilla Turner, will talk about some of her work. “She will be displaying some of her work that she did in a stay in Meriwether County, Georgia,” said Van Engelen. She will describe some of the unique features of women’s lives in that particular area, and she will show some perspectives of women in that distinctly southern culture. Singer/songwriter Christine Kane will perform in the Highsmith Center Lounge at 9 p.m. on March “It is an opportunity to talk about cur rent events and current issues. It’s also an opportunity for people, not just on an individual basis, whether they are men or women, to learn and experience new ideas.” Debra Van Engelen, coordinator of Women’s History Month 5. Underdog Productions is spon soring this event. Kathryn Liss from the Asheville Mediation Center will hold a spe cial workshop designed for both men and women on March 19. “She specifically said that she hoped both men and women would en roll in this,” said Van Engelen. Entitled “Essential Peacemaking: Women and Men,” the workshop will work to help men and women work through their differences and will help create better understand ing and communication between men and women. The women’s health classes will also sponsor two events which are included in this month-long cel ebration. On March 20, Susan Fazio’s pre sentation, titled “Running with Empowerment,” will instruct women on how they can empower their lives. She will focus on how to fulfill goals in order to live a happy and healthy life, said Van Engelen. The women’s health classes will also sponsor a special presentation by a practitioner, Skakira Khan, on March 27, who will lead students in a discussion on intimacy, sexu ality, and their relationship to one another. The Women’s Annual Overnight Retreat, held at Bonclarken Assem bly in Flat Rock, will commence over the weekend of April 4. This retreat will focus on discovering purpose in life. The retreat does have limited enrollment, so indi viduals interested in this event should plan early and make reservations, said Van Engelen. On March 5, in the Humani ties Lecture Hall, the Asheville Women’s En semble will present a con cert featuring works by women com posers and com positions by two local composers, said Van Engelen. Besides these events, “there will be a brown bag lunch series virtu ally everyday at 12:15 p.m. through out March,” said Van Engelen. Fea turing primarily on-campus speak ers, these lunches range in topics from historical to current issues for women. “They tend to "be quite informal and very interesting.” Some topics for discussion at these lunches include: “Carnal Israel: Sex and Women in Talmudic Ju daism;” “Dreamworlds: Desire, Sex and Power in Music Video;” “Women, College Teaching and Careers: Panel Discussion with UNCA Faculty;” “Women and Violence;” “The Welfare Reform Act: Its Effect on Women and Chil dren;” “Witch or Goddess: Ver sions of Medieval and Renaissance Womanhood;” and “History of Women as Mediators.” “We have five talks of particular interest for women in science,” said Van Engelen. Mike Ruiz, of the physics depart ment, will give the first special presentation called “Women in Science” on March 18, at 3:15 p. m. in Karpen Hall. CAHCtWA AT AMIftVTLU; be: /K L-EIADEIR. . make; a is)1f'F’e;re;mci Student Assoe>tATie>N I Q&'T' - i ©Q© POSITIOI^S availlAbi_e;: Rf?e:sic?emt Vice F^residemt Ct A.SS SEMATOR « 3 F»KR Csi_A«s> Resioential- Se:na.tof? IBE:NE:i=‘rlrjs 1njol_ui=>e: RBSERVSO RAHKIMt3UlJS-r KIOOINO!>. L.EADEnSHII^ OEVEUOPMENT, POWER. IMf=roved SKIL.U&» MAMaOEMENT EI^f*e:I7Cie;mC3^, Statuo, RCCUMC MaTERIAI-, GhaFIAOTER CSROWXM, F"Ree NSKAI-S AHO EN-rCFI-rAINMElIM-r &Y 1310 MOMEY LOBBYISTJ AMD AN OF='F=»C>I=?‘rLJN!TY TO MAKE e>ii^i==-ef?e:imc::e at umcuaI ! A REAL O RD E R F 0 RM Guaranteed Credit Cards With Creclil Liniils Up To $10,000 Within Days! No Credit. No Job. No Pareht-Sigher. Nn Sechriiy Deposit! no credit • bad credit • no income? You Can.Qualify To Receive Two Of The Most Widely Used Credit Cards In The World Today! Want VISA & i\/lasterCa>*d Cfdillt CaMst yes: 7 wiitit CrrKiil. Cards lOO-lV QUflnANTEEDI Haiiie. intned lately. Student Credit Services P.O. Box 2205'I5 Hollywood, FL 330Z2 1 i AilJics! 1 CilY - Suit Zip 1 I nioftc ( ) 1 Sigiuluic GSBBHDEHHB I Corr not I volu Aid ( comi loca midc invit( comi ties be 0 latec appr servi and (i.e. catio vices may begii com( Offic that ^ pros| info, McEl Do \ with you c facuH help probi staff. 251- Rhoa Do V with fessc other help. Cent( denti confli 232-! WW\ help page UNC, are h WWV days 4 p.n' ings . ment info, Avail; movi withL ticle1 Ticl« good emas Cine Squa Thee fice I from April 30. The I is off' reer! at the in We