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About Oregon daily emerald. (Eugene, Or.) 1920-2012 | View Entire Issue (Jan. 6, 1995)
^L>IVnlSnl Coune on Health Insurance Make sure you are properly covered By DanleOa McConaga It was Saturday night and Shahar.i and limit were heading back to Eugene. coming from a raging party at OSU in Corvallis, rhey were heading down HV. 'i 'Hi laughing, talking and cracking jokes as Shahara. who was dri sing, real ties) for (he dial on (he radio As she (lined in a different station, she didn’t notice the truck in (tie left hand lane cut ting right in front of them. Once she did. Shahara turned tier car in the same dirci lion to avoid hitting the truck, Ihi! clashes) into a telephone pole instead t ater, after fisc hours in the emergency room. \ rays ami lab tests, the doctor sent Shahara ami limit home Luckily. Shahara lc.nl suffered only a few minor injuries, linnl took home prescriptions to alleviate the pain lie was experiencing in his hack No Insurance Coverage Shahara's car insurance hast expired Nit luckily she was still covered under her parents' lu-alth insurance policy I .mil, however, didn’t have any medical msur ancc; lie was 26 years old and a student working a part time job When lie realized that the ten minute ambulance rule would now cost him $600. Ik- was alarmed In addition, the walk in fee for (he emer gency room approximated VK00 lhat alone wiped out limit's salary for two terms, limtl is now working full time to pay for his ambulance and hospital hill and his therapy visits that cost $S7 twice a week I tntl could have been spared most of his expenses if he had chosen some type ot medical coverage. He tailed to realize that even though he w as ineligible lor his parents' health plan and didn't receive any benefits from his job, he could have pur chased health insurance through the Stu ilent Health Center, right here on campus. The Health Center offers a student health insurance policy w ith benefits at a reason able cost in comparison to other health plans that may he available to students. 11k* Health Center offers two plans The International Plan costs $4U2 pci ai.uk-m k year. SIM per term (Fall, Winter, nr Spring), and SIM for Summer term only. Hie Domestic Flan cost* $572 per acade mu year. $l‘>8 per Fall. Winter, or Spring term, ami S173 for Summer tenn The international plan is mandatory for international students under federal rrgu lattons unless they have proof of other liealth insurance that offers coverage corn par able to or better than tire University 's plan The domestic plan is offered to all other students undergraduates who arc registered for at least six hours of credit and graduates who are enrolled for three credit hours or more. The domestic plan is voluntary Some of the benefits that arc listed in each plan inc lude • Allergy testing, serums, ami injec tions • Ambulance • B,u k spine disorders (limited coverage) • Contraceptives • Emergency room treatment • Hospital inpatient services • I ahotatory am) \ rays • Maternity care • Mental health counseling • Physician fees • Physical therapy massage therapy • Presc ription drugs Although this is only a partial listing of the benefits of the policies, you can see that the Student Health Insurance Plan would have covered a majority of Emil's expenses. Emil is not the only student who has been in a predicament such as this Ii is estimated that 20% of the student pupti lation here docs not have any type of med ical insurance. However. of this pop ulaiion is esiimated to be covered by some type of insurance. At the University of Oregon, mughly 10% of tire students arc on the Student Health Plan provided by tlw Health Center When selecting healih insurance.you need to be informed in order to make the right decision Consider carefully the dd ferent benefits and conditions, as well as live limitations and exclusions of tlw plan For a complete listing of benefits and terms of the student health policies and any questions yt*u may have regarding health insurance, contact Debbie Allic, Student Healih Insurance Coordinator at tlw Student Health Center, extension 3702. Healthy ■ . . preparing the healthy traveler! By Joanne Frank If you have ever (raveled abroad you will know iha! U tan be an exciting oppor (unity to learn about how Olivers live. To expert /V cnee new cultures. to he sur rounded by csotR' smells, sounds and the flavors of unique foods are the pleasures of interna tional travel. While organizing .1 dog sitter and travel ers' checks, don’t forget to consider your health needs In Area C at die Slu dent Health Center (SHC), you will find full travel service that includes immunizations, recommendatkms. guide lines and advisories for traveling abroad The goal of the travel serv ice at the SHC is to provide a compre hensive and unified approach to travelers' healthcare needs. Their philosophy is to help prepare you to depart on your journey as a healthy traveler and to come back healthy, too. Over the years the travel clinic has grown into a nurse-run clink w ith the support of an ads isory board and physi cian consults N. tion. The 1 Staff believe they offer a holistic approach, in addressing more issues than just immuniza tions For example, Trail* to you... the travel service can adv ise you on the proper handling and storage of food as well as health precautions specific to the country you are going to visit Travel portfolio: Just In case To determine your travel needs stop by Treatment Area C in the Stu dent Health Center to sc hedule an appointment and to fill out a travel worksheet The travel worksheet requests specific information related to your travel plans. Front the worksheet, the stall create your individual com putertzed travel portfolio. Hus portfolio contains several travel health pamphlets, an international cer ► * tificatc of vaccination, — recommended and required immunizations, disease information, a printout of maps of the areas you're traveling to with iktail of risk areas for yellow fever, cholera and malaria, and referral information with consulate phone numbers Cheek init the Student Health Center travel clinic and healths trails to you' Lhew On Snuff and its consequences By Tract Mllllren If you dip or chew, you're not alone Approximately 22 million Americans use smokeless tobacco, ac cording to the American Cancer Soc iety Many people mistakenly think snuff is a safe alternative to smoking, when in tai l it is just as hazardous and addictive as ciga rettes. Scan Marsee was one ot those people Marsee, a tro, k athlete, started dipping vnu!! at age thirteen because he thought it was safer than smoking Dipping snuff was a popular habit at his school, cspes tall) among the ath Ictcs By the time he entered high sc hool, Marsee was dipping 7 to 10 cans a week During his ventof year, he developed oral can ccr. He had part of his longue, throat and jaw removed. Neither surgery not radiation treat mentis contained the cancer. Voted "Most Valuable Athlete" of his class, Mar see died at age 19 Oral cancer is just one result of using smokeless tobacco, it also can cause: • cancer of the esophagus • cancer of the larynx • leukoplakia, leathery white patches or sores inside the mouth • gum disease • tooth decay • had breath • discolored teeth • less sense of taste and smell Research has shown it lakes only a few months of regul.tr use of snuff to develop mouth problems such as leukoplakia, which can tum into cancer over time. Warning sig nals include • a sore ihat bleeds easily or does not heal • a lump or thickening of mouth tissues • a reddish or whitish patch that persists • difficulty in chewing, swallowing or moving tongue or jaws The best method of early detection, according to the American Cancer Society, is regular visits to the dentist. At the Student Health Center (SHC) Dental Clinic a dentist provides oral cancer screenings as part of the dental examination, and the staff dental hygienists provide oral cancer screenings at each teeth cleaning visit. Oral health is impor tant. regardless of whether you use snu>kclcss tobacco. The SHC Dental Clinic also pro vides the following serv ices • Routine dental exams • Tissue checks • X rays • Teeth cleaning • Oral hygiene instructions • Dental retcrrals • Pit & fissure sealants • f-'mcrgcncy exams I "he Clinic provides these services at prices lower than local dental establishments Teeth cleanings are $30 per hour, v rays tor the exam are $14.75, ami exams are tree. SHC dental hygienist Debra George said. "An additional focus of the clinic is dental cduca lion. We teach students about their oral health and how to avoid dental problems that could be very painful or expensive, and we provide information which will enable a student to make w ise choices about dental products ami services." Routine dental exams are scheduled twice per quarter once on the first day of classes and again on a designated day mid quarter. Scheduling begins at X (X) a m., in person He sure to arrive early because appointments usually are filled within a couple hours, if you have any dental questions or concerns, contact the I)ental Clinic at '46 4432. Health w A / , 7t " Shorts Saoken oa Caaptn The Student Health Center conducted its 1994 telephone student survey of 426 U of 0 students. Here are some of the findings regarding tobacco use. • 26% of respondents reported ever havtt.g used tobacco regularly. • 64% of these students first began using tobac co between ages J 5 and 18 years. • Nearly 50% of tobacco users reported that they "definitely wilt not" be a smoker five years from now. • 66% of all respondents acknowledge that they have "a iot'* of control over their future health. According to tlic American Cancer Society, tobacco use is responsible for 400.000 deaths annual l> in the US. For the minority of students who use tobacco, quitting smoking or chewing is the single most significant behavior lhat w ill lead to improved health. The Health Ethical ion Program at the Student Health Center offers a Smoking Cessation Workshop each term. Call 346-4456 for more information. rood Kmten Olmut answers frequently asked questions about nutrition. I've heard that the lettuce for the salad bar in the cafete ria is sprayed with fan or starches. What can you tell me about the use of sprays on lettuce f It is true that several years ago the majority of fresh fruits and cafeteria, neither the lettuce nr any of the produce is sprayed with sulfites, starch, fat, or any other substance. Not only would that (HIXCSS DC Illegal, II WOUHJ serve no purpose Unfortunately, myths and rumors spread faster than the facts. So enjoy Mother Nature's gift to us and eat S serv ings of fruits and vegetables each day. vegetables were sprayed with sulfites to extern! their shelf life, prevent discol oration. and prevent bacterial growth. But in 1986 the Food and Drug Administration banned the use of sulfites on all fresh produce. Sulfites arc stilled used in some wines, dried fruit, and some processed fruits and vegetables. As for the salad bar items in the cjta ■*" All my Jr tends are eating "fat free“ cookies, chips, ami just about everything else without fat. Should I switch from my regular snacks to those without fat? That's a good question. I'll provide the facts and you make your own decision Many food companies market convenience snack items as "fat free". By definition, that means less than .5 grams of fat per serv ing. What is the serving size on the package? Two cookies? 10 potato chips? What you'll find if you compare product for product is that often the fat free version has the same calorie content as the origi nal product. So you’re saving fat but not calories. Overall that’s a great dietary change, but what often happens is that someone will cat twice as much of a fat free product (getting twice the calorics). You also need to take into consideration cost (fat free some limes costs more) and taste. I’d suggest switching from your regular snacks to those that naturally con tain little or no fat such as bagels, any fruit, ratsms, pretzels, or raw veggies. They taste great and arc cheap. We'll be happy la answer your questions in the next issue of the Well Now. Drop off your questions at the Health Education Office at the Student Health Center, or e mail tv joanne Jrank@cemail. Get Your Worth Pharmacy on campus caters to students for less By Marta Palleichi As the w inter season hears down, trips to the drug store become more frequent What many students don't know is that they ean find remedies for tlieir unpleasant common colds am) other ailments right here on campus I he campus pharmacy inside tin- Sludent Health ('enter carries products ranging from contact solution to contraceptives Not only is tin- pharmacy close and convenient, hut students often will receive substantial savings on many produc ts, because the pharmacy can buy off of state Contracts. State contracts are available only to slate institutions and only regis tered students are eligible as customers Over the-counter drugs such as Ixtra Strength Tylenol #50 purchased in an off campus drug store can cost up to $5.00. I he same product can lie bought for $2.00 at tire campus pharmacy I he pharmacy also carries many products, presc ription aiul mhi prescripiion, in tlicir generic form For csample, pseudoephidnne, a decongestant, can be purchased in its generic form tor only $1.50 tor 24 tablets at the campus pharmacy. Many press rip tn-ns an- a great ileal as well bin exam pie, a single cycle of Tripfxus.il birth control pills purchased off campus ordi narily runs about S22.00 (he ph.mnac y in the Student Health Center sells them for just $7.00. Common antibiotics such as amoxicillin SIX) mg #M), which costs around $1 $.00, can he purchased for $x ‘>S Trie* to fill prescriptions from anywhere on this planet In addition to great prices, students will find excellent service .it the pharma cv Pharmai ists will fill prescriptions from physicians and nurse practitioners working in the Student Health Center, as well as off» ampus physicians I’harnu cists will do their Ix'st tilling prescriptions from in state as well as out of state International presc options need to lx- re written by a [ills sic tan in the Student Health Center Should the pharmacy not carry a particular drug (such as might he the case w ith some international presc rip lions), the pharma, y will research the medic ation for you to find the best replacement possible So you needn't wait until you go home for the holidays to have your prescriptions filled they can he filled right here on campus, Not only are the pharmac ists tliere to till your prescriptions, they arc happy to answer questions and provide counseling on any treatment related topic. I or exam ple, if you are experiencing cold symp toms, you can explain these symptoms to the pharmacist who might suggest the most suitable over the counter remedy or adv isc you to consult a physician When ixw prescriptions are tilled, die pharma cists will invariably provide the student with detailed information atxHit the medi cine If you encounter unusual side effects from any t)[x of treatment, you should report these to the pharmacist, and tlx pharmacist will he able to find a more effective w ay to help you. So d you have an ailment for which you are seeking a remedy or information, be sure to stop by your campus pharmacy located inside the Student Health Center (conlinurd from Pa^e O vitamin hut don't take too much of it1 Cot fee drinkers beware! Bombarded with special diets and wcieht loss methods, many consumers are bcwil dcred One "expert” is instructing you to only cat grapefruit to lose weight, while another charlatan wants you to nih cream, all over your thighs to melt away your cellulite. Too many, it seems, consider themselves nutritionists To students at the University of Oregon, however, answers about health related topics can he answered at the Student Health C'cn ter, where you can utilize the services of tin* Peer Health Hducalors, a lending library, free-of charge workshops, and Kristen Olmos. Moderation Instead of crash diet Olmos is a registered dietitian. She is helpful and informative and. best of all, she gives free consultations. Any student at the University of Oregon can schedule an appointment with her or consult Kris ten Olmos during drop-tn hours She handles .ill sorts of food issues ranging from body image to spec tal diets for dia belies. ()lmos can also help vs ith tlie social, economic, cultural, and psycho logical implications of food and eating Olrnos estimates that halt of all inquiries deal with weight loss questions and half of those students have some sort of abnormal eating behavior such as extreme bmgcing or restricting of food intake. These types of behaviors are potentially dangerous. Olrnos points out that "the reason why diets don't work is because people don't change their lifestyle. Ibey might lose weight on a crash diet hut after they go off it. all (heir weigh! is going to come back because they didn't change their long lerm habits. Ihc best way to lose weight is to change eating habits permanently and cat in moderation." Resources at the Health Center For more information on how to choose healthier foods, you can use the resources available at tlx- Health Center, such as the lending library in the Health Education room next to the pharmacy. l"hc Peer Health Educators will he glad to help you.
