Billing and Financial Support

Curry Health Center

Financial Support for Students

Sliding Fee Scale: Based on financial need (SAI ≤ 7,000), students on Medicaid, or students with high out-of-pocket costs after insurance.

Curry Cares Fund: For students experiencing temporary financial or personal hardships.

Emergency Funds (managed by Bear Necessities and University Faculty Association): Hardship Fund, Indigenous Student Fund, SARC Fund, FAST Fund

Curry Health Center (CHC) is committed to making sure cost does not prevent insured students from getting medically necessary care. If you are in the process of obtaining insurance*, on Medicaid (which CHC is not yet able to bill, likely Fall 2026), or have insurance but still face high out-of-pocket costs, you may qualify for reduced charges through our Sliding Fee Scale.

*The Montana University System requires all on-campus students to have active health insurance. If you are uninsured, you may apply (and be approved for) the Sliding Fee Scale on a one semester basis (i.e. for Spring 2026). However, you must seek and enroll in health insurance as soon as possible.

This option is different from the Curry Cares Fund and is based on financial need using your Student Aid Index (SAI) from the FAFSA.

We understand that unforeseen circumstances may occasionally leave a student without health insurance. In these situations, a one-semester for sliding-scale accommodation may be applied based on the Student Aid Index (SAI) calculations outlined below. In the interest of applying our policy consistently and equitably, this exception may be granted once during a student’s academic career at UM.

We strongly encourage any student who is currently without insurance to contact studentinsurance@mso.umt.edu so we can discuss available options and provide support.

Students who opt-out of using their health insurance for covered services are not eligible for the sliding fee scale.

What Is the Sliding Fee Scale?

The Sliding Fee Scale reduces what you owe after insurance (or when Medicaid cannot be billed) for eligible medical visits at CHC. The amount you pay is based on your Student Aid Index (SAI).

Your SAI is a number calculated through the FAFSA that helps determine financial needs. Lower SAI numbers generally mean higher financial need.

Who Is This For?

You may qualify for the Sliding Fee Scale if:

You are a currently enrolled 91��Ԫ student receiving care at CHC Medical
Your Student Aid Index (SAI) is 7,000 or less
You are:
- Uninsured*, or
- Enrolled in Medicaid (CHC cannot bill Medicaid yet), or
- Insured but still owe a balance after insurance processes

How the Sliding Fee Scale Works

Insurance (if applicable) is billed first. Students are always responsible for paying their co-pay.
Once insurance processes, the remaining balance is reviewed.
Based on your SAI, your charges are reduced to a standardized amount per visit.

Sliding Fee Scale Tiers

Table shows 3 tiers of Sliding Fee Scale discounts for students based on their Student Aid Index (SAI).
SAI Tier	Student Aid Index Range	Sliding Scale Adjustment	Student Amount Owed per Visit*
Tier 1	SAI ≤ 1,500	Substantial reduction applied to remaining balance	10% of full visit fee
Tier 2	SAI 1,501 – 4,000	Moderate reduction applied to remaining balance	50% of full visit fee
Tier 3	SAI 4,001 – 7,000	Limited reduction applied to remaining balance	80% of full visit fee

**If your post-insurance balance is less than the amount listed above, you will only pay the lower actual balance.

What Services Are Covered by Sliding Fee Scale at CHC Medical?

Generally Eligible for Sliding Fee Scale

Medical clinic visits
Medically necessary evaluations and treatments
Basic procedures

Not Eligible for Sliding Fee Scale

Medications (prescription or over the counter)
Travel Clinic services
Elective services
Missed appointment fees
Services billed by outside providers or vendors
Lab tests (in-house labs are already discounted and cannot receive additional reductions)

How to Find Your Student Aid Index (SAI)

Go to StudentAid.gov and log in.
Open your FAFSA for the correct academic year.
View your FAFSA Submission Summary.
Find your Student Aid Index (SAI) in the Eligibility Overview section. See image below.

Screenshot showing where SAI Index is listed on a student's FAFSA Submission Summary.

FAFSA Submission Summary. See the highlighted section at the bottom (Student Aid Index).

How to Apply for the Sliding Fee Scale -

You must apply within 30 days of the semester in which the charge occurred. Late applications cannot be accepted.

Step-by-Step

Check your SAI using the steps above.
Complete the
Receive a decision: You will be notified if you are approved and which tier applies to you.
Discount applied: Once insurance has been processed, your Sliding Fee Scale discount is automatically applied to eligible charges.

Important Things to Know

Approval is based on verified SAI and completed documentation.
Sliding Fee Scale discounts apply only to eligible medical services.
Students will never be denied medically necessary care due to inability to pay.
Payment plans and billing support are available through University Financial Aid.

If cost is preventing you from seeking care or you are unsure which option fits your situation, CHC staff are here to help.

Questions? Contact: studentinsurance@mso.umt.edu

The Curry Cares Fund helps 91��Ԫ students access medical, dental, and counseling services when cost may prevent them from getting the care they need due to financial or personal hardships. This fund may be especially helpful to students who are insured or may have recently lost their insurance* due to unforeseen circumstances and are unable to afford their out-of-pocket expenses after receiving care at our Medical Clinic, including situations where Curry Health Center (CHC) Medical may be out of network with their insurance.

*Montana University System requires all on-campus students to have active health insurance.
Please note that the fund is just to cover existing charges, not future expenses.
What the fund may cover (or partially cover):
- Medical Clinic visits
- Dental Clinic visits
- Counseling Services visits by referral (talk to your Counselor)
Eligibility & Award Limits

To keep the fund available to as many students as possible:
- Students may receive funding once in their academic career.
- Students must apply within 30 days of the semester in which the charge occurred. Late applications cannot be accepted.
- Students must have taken the maximum amount of federal aid and loans available to them.
- Awards are capped at $300 per year.
- The amount awarded is based on actual costs and demonstrated hardship.
- Smaller expenses may receive smaller awards (e.g. a $50 visit will not receive a $300 award).
Students may qualify if they are insured but still cannot afford out-of-pocket costs due to financial hardship or unexpected circumstances.

How We Define “Hardship”

CHC determines financial hardship using federal guidance from the U.S. Department of Education’s Special Circumstances criteria (Federal Student Aid Handbook, Application & Verification Guide, Chapter 5 – Special Cases).

These “special circumstances” help us understand when a student’s financial situation makes accessing care difficult. Examples include:
- Sudden changes in employment, income, or assets
- Housing instability, including homelessness
- Medical or dental expenses not covered by insurance
- Family or dependent care costs
- Disability-related expenses
- Unexpected financial strain or major life changes affecting your ability to pay for care
These are examples, not requirements. Students may experience hardship for many reasons, and CHC evaluates each application individually.

Is This Fund Right for Me?

You may want to apply if:
- You are insured, but CHC Medical is out of network with your plan.
- You have high deductibles, co-pays, or co-insurances you cannot afford.
- You have had a recent financial change (job loss, reduced hours, recent loss of insurance, unexpected expense).
- You are managing multiple care needs, and costs are piling up.
If cost is causing you to delay or skip needed healthcare, this fund may be able to help.

How to Apply -

Students should complete and submit the Curry Cares Fund Application after charges have been applied to their Patient Portal account.
2. CHC billing staff review your request using the special circumstances criteria listed above.
3. You may be asked to provide additional information or documentation.
4. Decisions are made on a case-by-case basis.
5. Approved funds are applied directly to your student account in Griz Portal.
All information is confidential and used only to determine eligibility.

Have Questions or Unsure Whether to Apply?

If you're not sure whether your situation qualifies, CHC staff can help you review your options and guide you through the process. If cost is a barrier, even if you're insured, please review ‘Billing and Financial Support’ on our website or reach out to studentinsurance@mso.umt.edu.

We want to help you get the care you need.

Emergency Funds at the 91��Ԫ

Table displays different Emergency Funds available to UM Students through ASUM Bear Necessities and the UM Faculty Foundation, as well as the eligibility criteria.
	Hardship Fund	Indigenous Student Fund	SARC Fund	FAST Fund
Who manages the fund?	Bear Necessities			University Faculty Association
Where money comes from...	ASUM	Coalition for Indigenous STEM	SARC, stored in the Foundation	Believe in Students and external fundraising
Students eligible if...	Full- or part time, degree-seeking Currently enrolled at the 91��Ԫ or Missoula College	Full- or part-time, degree-seeking Identify as Indigenous or tribal affiliated Currently enrolled at the 91��Ԫ or Missoula College	Full- or part- time, degree-seeking Impacted by identity-based harm or working with SARC Currently enrolled at the 91��Ԫ or Missoula College	Full-time Currently enrolled at the 91��Ԫ or Missoula College
Funding priorities...	Housing, utilities, transportation		Housing, utilities, transportation Costs associated with safety from interpersonal violence	Rent, internet access, utilities, food, health, childcare, transportation
Costs that CANNOT be covered...	Tuition, books, and other education-related expenses Groceries or gas Phone bills or car payments			Tuition, books, and other education-related expenses
Limit of funding...	$250 with limited flexibility			$300
How many students can be funded?	10 students per semester *Each fund under Bear Necessities can fund 10 students per semester, totaling 30 students	10 students per semester *Each fund under Bear Necessities can fund 10 students per semester, totaling 30 students	10 students per semester *Each fund under Bear Necessities can fund 10 students per semester, totaling 30 students	Depends on funding available
How often can students apply?	Once per academic year If a student gets funding through the Indigenous Student Fund or SARC Fund, they can’t* also get funding through the Hardship Fund	Once per academic year If a student gets funding through the Hardship Fund or SARC Fund, they can’t* also get funding through the Indigenous Student Fund	Once per academic year If a student gets funding through the Hardship Fund or Indigenous Student Fund, they can’t* also get funding through the SARC Fund	Once per academic year *Students can apply for both the FAST Fund and one of the other emergency funds, but they will not be able to apply to either for the rest of the academic year
How money is distributed...	Through UMT Pro Card online or over the phone, or through department transfer			Directly to student through Cash App or check mailed to student’s address

FAST Fund is limited to full-time, ASUM Hardship and related funds are available to part-time students.
Our funds are also available to Missoula college students!

For more information, contact Kat Cowley, Director of Bear Necessities at kat.cowley@mso.umt.edu.

Billing is Different for Medical, Dental & Counseling Services

How Billing Works for Medical Visits

1. Using Your Health Insurance

CHC submits claims to your health insurance within 2–3 days following your visit.
Insurance typically processes claims in 7–30 days.
Any remaining balance (co-pays, coinsurance, deductibles) is billed in your .

2. Self-Pay — Pay Today

Pay the cost of your visit at check‑in; additional charges (i.e. lab tests, x-rays, etc.) are billed to your .
No claim is sent to insurance.

3. Self-Pay — Bill to Patient Portal

Full cost is billed to your .
No claim is sent to insurance.
Unpaid balances over 30 days will be sent to your student account in Griz Portal.

Important: Flat-fee pricing no longer applies if using insurance; costs now depend on your plan. Self-pay may result in higher out-of-pocket costs.

Curry Health Center has a sliding fee scale and Curry Cares Fund (hardship fund) for students who may be struggling to afford care. Information and details listed below.

If Your Insurance Isn’t In-Network

CHC Medical submits a claim to check for out-of-network benefits.
Any remaining balance is billed to your .
If your insurance is not in-network, SHIP or another plan may provide easier access and coverage.

Students with Montana Medicaid

Until CHC Medical is a Medicaid Passport Provider (expected Fall 2026), students are responsible for paying charges through the
Please consider applying for our sliding fee scale (information below).

Tip: For more information on insurance verification and coverage, visit our Insurance page.

Questions about your bill?

Contact Monida Billing Solutions at 406-829-2388 or

How Billing Works for Dental Visits

At the Curry Health Center Dental Clinic, students are charged per service.

How billing works:

If you're on Montana Medicaid...

The Dental Clinic will bill Medicaid directly for covered services.

If you're not on Montana Medicaid...

You are not required to pay at your appointment.
All dental charges are billed at flat fees to the .
Unpaid balances after 30 days are moved to your student account in GrizPortal.

Important notes:

Dental fees are typically much lower than private dental offices.

Students under 19 enrolled in SHIP (AcademicBlue) often have most dental services fully covered.

For a full list of services and current pricing, please visit our Fees page.
If you have questions about dental billing, ask when you schedule or arrive for your appointment.

How Billing Works for Counseling Services

Curry Health Center Counseling Services uses a flat-fee model for individual appointments.