Health department approves sports-physical and biometric fees, considers clinic-rate wording

At its January meeting the Fishers City Health Department moved to expand clinic offerings and set fees for proposed services. The board approved a $25 self-pay fee for sports physicals — with an April-to-June outreach push timed to school requirements — and a $20 self-pay fee for biometric screenings (cholesterol, glucose, A1c) to launch in February. "The recommendation, physical exam is $25," a board member said during the vote.

Staff clarified that sports physicals are not intended to replace an annual comprehensive exam with a pediatrician, and that the department will advise patients to maintain regular care. For biometric screens staff said cartridge costs are roughly $17.63 per test, and the $20 fee was selected to cover consumables while continuing to refer abnormal results to primary-care partners or community providers for follow-up.

Separately, staff proposed changing ordinance language for clinician visits from "charge at Medicare rate" to "no more than Medicare rate" to allow flexibility when scheduling services that cannot be billed to insurance; the board discussed that change and noted the recommendation will proceed to city council for any necessary ordinance modification.