RMC to take over Student Health Clinic at JSU

Annistons Regional Medical Center will take over the health clinic facility at Jacksonville state university under a plan approved Monday by the universities board of trustees.  Under the agreement approved Monday, the hospital system will receive $380,000 a year to manage student health services at the Jacksonville campus. In exchange, the Hospital will give the university any surplus money it receives, an amount that is expected to reach $75,000 in the first year.  JSU has been providing free or low-cost health care for students since the 1970s under its existing university-operated system. When the contract goes into effect, the university will relinquish management and control of the health care center to RMC and it will begin charging students for visits.  Under the terms of the agreement with RMC, the hospital system will pick up the cost of uninsured students.  Billing will be for students with insurance only.  University officials say  that the $380,000 JSU will pay RMC to manage the health clinic will be paid for with part of a $150 student fee, which will be charged to students for the first time next year.  RMC will staff the clinic with a physician from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday and from 8 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. on Friday.  The hospital system will formally take over operations at the student health center on Aug. 10, when the five-year contract begins.