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New Student

Welcome to UMass Amherst and University Health Services (UHS)! We’re the place to come for health care, services and information to help you now and throughout your life. Our fully accredited facility and college health experts are here to support your wellbeing.

Stuff you need to do

1. Make sure you’ve got health insurance. It’s required for Massachusetts college students. The Student Health Insurance Plan (SHIP) or other qualified plan and the Student Health Fee work together to give you access to care at UHS. Full-time students are automatically enrolled in SHIP and charged on the semester tuition bill. If you have another qualifying plan, you'll need to waive SHIP before the end of the add/drop period to avoid being charged. International students are required to maintain SHIP coverage.
   
   
2. Have required shots and send proof of immunization to the New Student Immunization Program at UHS before school starts. If you need more information, forms, or to get vaccinated after you arrive on campus, the NSIP can help.
   
   
3. If you’re under 18, the law requires your parent/guardian to give written consent for you to receive medical care. Plan ahead – download the Consent to Treat Minor Patients form and get it signed in advance!
   
   
4. Complete the MyStudentBody online alcohol education course. It’s required for all first-year students; if you don’t do it before the deadline, you won’t be able to register for classes.
   
   
5. Students are responsible for obtaining and following the university's alcohol and other drug policies. Go to UHS' Center for Alcohol and other Drug Abuse Prevention page to download yours.
   
   
6. Choose a UHS primary care provider. This is the person you’ll go to first when you need care or have health questions.

Stuff you need to know

• In a life-threatening emergency, call 911 for an ambulance.
  
  
• Have a health question and don’t know what to do? UHS' Triage Advice Nurse is available 24/7 during the semester, (413) 577-5229.
  
  
• Know the ropes with this information for first-time UHS patients.
  
  
• Our tips and timesavers can help speed your visits.
  
  
• Make routine medical appointments by calling (413) 577-5101.
  
  
• For mental and emotional health concerns, call Mental Health Services, (413) 545-2337 weekdays between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m.; after hours, on weekends or holidays, call UHS, (413) 577-5000 and ask for the mental health on-call clinician.
  
  
• Insurance questions? Check out the info on this site or call Patient Services,
  (413) 577-5192.
  
  
• Your health information is confidential. No one will know you’ve used medical or mental health services unless you choose to tell them.

Don't forget ...

• Check out our FAQs and Tips for Staying Healthy. There's lots of information in the Health Topics A to Z area; you can also visit Health Education to learn more.
  
  
• Get involved! Come to health programs at your residence hall, teach others as a peer health educator, be part of the fun with the Not Ready for Bedtime Players, make a difference with Voices Against Violence, nurture your recovery with Fresh and Sober, and more. Call Health Education at UHS, (413) 577-5181, to learn more.