Through a statement on social media from USC president Carol L. Folt, the university president confirmed that “When women’s reproductive rights are not protected federally, it can lead to harmful disparities that impact women’s health and wellbeing. In California, women will retain choice over the most private, personal, difficult decision of their lives, but that will not be true in many other states. As a leading educational institution with a major healthcare system, we must continue to champion safe access to women’s reproductive healthcare through our advocacy, research and medical enterprise.”
Keck Medicine of USC leadership reiterated a commitment to safe access to high-quality reproductive health care, health education and research, and equitable access to evidence-based care, including reproductive care.
Services for Students
A full range of ambulatory health care services are available to students in the Engemann and Eric Cohen student health centers, and via Telehealth for patients who are currently in the state of California, in compliance with statutory regulations on state licensure for health care providers. Student Health provides medication abortion services (the entirety of in-clinic care, including ultrasound, are provided for through the USC Student Health Fee); Student Health can also provide referrals for students to receive surgical services in a broader provider network.
Insurance Coverage
The Student Health Insurance Plan (SHIP/Aetna) covers medication abortion (with a standard insurance co-pay) as part of clinical services. Plan B (“morning after pill”) is a covered pharmaceutical contraceptive benefit. Plan B is available in King Hall on the UPC campus 24/7 in the USC Pharmacy vending machine. SHIP/Aetna is a national plan that has a broad network of provider services throughout the country.
Medication and surgical abortions are covered benefits ($450 annual deductible applies) of the SHIP/Aetna Plan, as follows: Tier 1 – USC Designated Providers (90% of the negotiated charge); Tier 2 – Aetna Preferred Providers (80% of the negotiated charge); Tier 3 – Out of Network (50% of the recognized charge). If an ultrasound is required for either procedure it will be covered at the same benefit level. Referrals are NOT required for this benefit.
Let’s Talk
Additional new appointments have been added for “Let’s Talk,” a nonclinical opportunity to talk with a licensed therapist in Counseling and Mental Health Services, for students who would like to talk about their reactions.
