According to the Census Bureau, 46.6 million Americans were uninsured in 2005.

Though the majority of University students may not worry about health insurance, some are feeling the affects of increased co-pay fees for health services.

Today, First American Bank is hosting its annual Downtown Health Fair with the goal of making health care convenient and affordable for everyone.

Flu shots will be offered for $30, and a number of screenings including body mass index, cholesterol, blood pressure and blood sugar will be provided at an all-inclusive cost of $15.

“While we hope that everyone is in perfect health, we still feel that these things are very important services that need to be provided,” said Megan Henning, the health fair’s coordinator.

“People really need to be screened for these things as a preventative measure and we want to make it convenient for them.”

The screenings can be paid for with cash or check. If there is a problem found during testing, the nurses can give referrals or instructions for what steps to take during the free continental breakfast that will be provided.

- Courtney Smith

Gynecological Support

For a basic gynecological exam, going to the Health Center will be more cost effective for full-time students than a visit to the Health Department.

According to Liz Rachun, Health Communications Coordinator, a full-time student who has paid the required health center fee can receive a gynecological exam for free with an appointment. This exam does not include lab tests such as gonorrhea and chlamydia.

Compared to the Health Department’s charge, which is based on income, free would be a better deal.

Sexual Health Testing

It is cheaper for those who are uninsured to be tested for sexually transmitted infections at a charity organization.

Tests for common STIs could cost anywhere from $10 to $50 at the Health Department, and the costs are similar at the UHC depending on the types of tests.

If an uninsured student were to go to Athens Nurses Clinic, the service could be completely free. The clinic also offers other services such as gynecological exams, breast exams, immunizations and dental services.

Psychological Support

Nuci’s Space is the most well known local advocate for depression awareness, but many students may not know that the organization offers financial assistance for musicians who wish to receive psychological counseling.

Through Nuci’s Space, a musician is directed towards a local counselor that agrees to treat the person at a discounted rate. The patient is only expected to pay $10 per visit, and Nuci’s Space picks up the rest of the bill.

Depending on individual student income, that may or may not be a better deal than the University Psychology Clinic, located on the first floor of the psychology building, that charges fees based on individual income.

DENTAL SERVICES

At the Health Center, a teeth cleaning and exam would cost an uninsured student $106, but other Athens-based charity groups offer the same service for free.

Mercy, a “Christian health resource center” on Oglethorpe Avenue, offers teeth cleaning as a free service as long as the person is eligible based on their income.

However, it should be noted that the process to get accepted into the program could be lengthy and involves bringing in paperwork or notarized letters in order to prove income. According to the group’s Web site, it also may be over a month before a person receives care from the time of application.