Clemson University to contract with MUSC Health for new student health center
Clemson University wants to contract with the Medical University of South Carolina hospital system for a new student health center on campus. (File photo by Getty Images)
Clemson University wants to contract with the Medical University of South Carolina hospital system to build and run a new student health center on campus.
A legislative oversight committee gave the initial nod Tuesday to the $73 million project, which the Upstate college says will help hold down student health care costs and replace its aging facility. The project still needs approval next week from a five-member financial oversight panel chaired by the governor.
It could mark MUSC's second such arrangement at a South Carolina college and the first outside of Charleston. The proposal is modeled after MUSC's relationship at The Citadel, according to documents provided to the Joint Bond Review Committee.
Clemson's existing Redfern Health Center is 56 years old, built when the university had a student population of just 6,700. Since then, Clemson's enrollment has increased four-fold, yet the college has not expanded or renovated the center since it was constructed.
Plans call for the Medical University Hospital Authority to spend $61 million to help build the new, 90,000-square-foot center, with Clemson chipping in $3 million, and a pair of federal grants covering the remainder.
If Clemson were to pursue the project alone, it would have to pass the cost on to students, the school wrote in its proposal.
Instead, Clemson will simply turn over to MUSC the existing health fees charged to students when they enroll. As part of the deal, that fee will stay flat for the first five years of operation, potentially saving students more money on health care.
According to Clemson, student health care costs have been escalating since the COVID-19 pandemic at an average rate of 6% per year.
Students currently pay $182 per semester. There will be an additional $66 fee for any students who stay on campus for the summer session.
That fee covers the cost of doctor's visits, counseling, and telemedicine urgent care, according to Clemson's health services website. It does not cover prescriptions, vaccinations, lab tests, X-rays, psychiatric treatment, gynecological exams, routine physical exams or procedures, such as stitches.
MUSC will bill students for those additional services 'in a manner that does not burden Clemson students or their families but is expected to generate additional revenue,' according to documents provided by the two organizations.
Students who are on their parents' insurance policy can continue to use that coverage. MUSC will bill the insurance company.
'All students will continue to have access to student healthcare regardless of their financial status,' according to a joint letter from MUSC and Clemson.
It will also bring an end to Clemson's current, 'archaic' billing model for health services, which withholds diplomas and prevents students from enrolling in classes if they have an outstanding medical bill. A Clemson spokesman did not immediately respond to questions from the SC Daily Gazette about that policy.
MUSC will reinvest any excess revenue back into Clemson Health.
The school and the hospital system expect to sign the 30-year deal in January 2026 and complete construction in July 2027. At the end of the lease term, MUSC will transfer ownership of the facility to Clemson.
In addition to health care for students, Clemson and MUSC also plan to work together on more health-related research projects, as well as joint degree programs.
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