Starting January 2026, Curry Health Center鈥檚 medical clinic will begin accepting health insurance for services.聽
Please Note: Information on this page is subject to change as we finalize insurance contracts and billing processes for January 2026. Updates will be posted regularly. Please check back for the most current details
Health Insurance and Billing Changes at Curry Health Center
Starting January 2026, Curry Health Center’s medical clinic will begin accepting health insurance for services.
The 猎奇重口 University System requires all students to carry health insurance. This update makes it easier to use your coverage directly at CHC while still receiving the same trusted on-campus care.
Why This Change Benefits Students
- You can use your insurance benefits directly at CHC’s medical clinic, which may lower your out-of-pocket costs.
- You’ll no longer need to request a walk-out statement for insurance reimbursement (though walk-out statements will still be available upon request).
- You continue to have access to many of CHC’s free and low-cost wellbeing and prevention services through your mandatory health service fee.
Preparing for January 2026
Make sure you have active health insurance through one of the following:
- A parent/guardian’s plan
- An employer plan
- A private insurance plan
- AcademicBlue / SHIP (UM’s Student Health Insurance Plan)
Need Health Insurance?
SHIP (Student Health Insurance Plan)
SHIP (AcademicBlue) is designed for 猎奇重口 University System students and offers Gold-level or better coverage at a student-friendly price.
Learn more on the CHC insurance page. For more information, contact Dawn Camara-Clark at 406-243-2844 or studentinsurance@mso.umt.edu (include your 790#)
Understanding Your Insurance at CHC
Getting familiar with your insurance coverage is an important part of accessing care at CHC. Starting in January 2026, all students will need to provide insurance information before being seen in the medical clinic. You can either upload your insurance card(s) to the Patient Portal before your visit or bring your card with you to your appointment.
It’s also important to understand how your specific plan works at CHC, even if the carrier appears on our contracted list.
Steps to See How Your Insurance Works at CHC
Check with your insurance carrier to confirm:
- Whether your plan covers services at Curry Health Center’s medical clinic.
- If CHC is considered in-network for your specific plan (plan networks vary even within the same carrier).
- If your plan has out-of network benefits. If so, we can bill your insurance at the out-of-network rates set by your insurance carrier. If not, flat fees will be billed to the Patient Portal and are the patient’s responsibility.
Check the benefits for separate service types (especially if you plan to see an off-campus provider at any point). Benefits for medical services may differ from other types of services.
Provide your insurer with CHC’s identifying information: (coming soon!)
Tax ID: 81-6001713
NPI: 1558589960
Billing Address: 32 Campus Dr, Missoula, MT 59812
Verify coverage for the type of visit you’re planning, such as:
- Primary care
- Specialty medical services
How Insurance Billing Works at CHC
After your appointment, CHC will submit a claim to your insurance carrier within 2–3 days. Your insurance company typically processes the claim within 7–30 days.
After processing, any remaining balance (including co-pays/coinsurance) will be billed to you through the Patient Portal.
If Your Insurance Isn’t In-Network
You can still receive care at CHC’s medical clinic. CHC will send a courtesy bill to your insurance carrier to check whether any out-of-network benefits apply. After your claim is processed, any remaining balance will be billed to you through the Patient Portal.
If your insurance is not in-network with CHC, we encourage you to explore SHIP (AcademicBlue) or other coverage options.
Questions to Ask About Your Insurance
When evaluating your coverage, consider asking your insurance carrier:
What is my annual deductible?
Coverage often doesn’t begin until your deductible is met.
What is my co-pay or coinsurance?
This determines what you’ll pay after meeting your deductible.
What services are covered vs. not covered?
Some services, like cosmetic treatments, certain labs, or alternative services, may not be covered by your insurance plan.
Do I have out-of-state or out-of-network coverage?
Many insurers offer “away from home” coverage for students enrolled out of state.
Insurance Plans in Progress
CHC is working to contract with the following carriers for medical clinic billing:
- Allegiance Provider Direct, LLC (includes Cigna Medical)
- First Choice Health Network
- Mountain Health Co-op
- PacificSource
- Blue Cross Blue Shield
- AcademicBlue / SHIP (UM’s Student Health Insurance Plan)
- Tricare
- TriWest
- United Healthcare
This list will be updated as agreements are finalized.
For Students with Medicaid (猎奇重口 & Out-of-State)
猎奇重口 Medicaid
The Curry Health Center will never turn a student away, we’re here to help.
However, CHC is not currently a 猎奇重口 Medicaid Passport Provider, meaning:
- 猎奇重口 Medicaid will not cover or reimburse services received at CHC until contracting is finalized next fall.
- Until then, any charges from CHC’s medical clinic will be billed to you through the Patient Portal, and you are responsible for paying them.
CHC will give you the information you need to submit your own Medicaid claims. If you need help after that, we can connect you with the right Medicaid contacts for further support.
If You’re Already on 猎奇重口 Medicaid
If you're enrolled in 猎奇重口 Medicaid when you register for classes, you are not required to purchase SHIP.
However, to keep your Medicaid coverage, you must apply for the Health Insurance Premium Payment (HIPP) Program if you meet the criteria.
Why this matters:
Failure to comply with a Medicaid directive (like applying for HIPP) can result in loss of Medicaid coverage for all adults in your household.
Why Students on Medicaid Should Strongly Consider Applying for HIPP
HIPP is a 猎奇重口 Medicaid program that uses state funds to pay for other health insurance plans, including SHIP, if Medicaid decides it’s cost-effective.
If approved:
- You keep your Medicaid coverage
- You receive SHIP as additional coverage (dual coverage)
- SHIP may be fully paid for through HIPP
- You gain easier access to medical care at CHC and a broader range of providers
- It helps ensure continuous, stable coverage while you’re in school
How to apply:
You must be an active 猎奇重口 Medicaid member.
Request the HIPP application by
For questions about HIPP:
Call 800-694-3084 or email HHSHIPPProgram@mt.gov
Out-of-State Medicaid
If you are on Medicaid from another state as a dependent (parent/guardian is the primary):
- Your coverage does meet UM’s insurance requirement
- It will not work for routine care in 猎奇重口
- It only covers emergencies/ER visits
If you are on out-of-state Medicaid and not a dependent:
- Your coverage does NOT meet UM’s insurance requirement
- You will need another insurance option (SHIP or private insurance)
Questions about Medicaid or HIPP?
For more information, contact Dawn Camara-Clark at 406-243-2844 or studentinsurance@mso.umt.edu (include your 790#)