Frequently Asked Questions
- What is University Health Services (UHS)?
- Where is UHS?
- Who can use UHS?
- When is UHS open?
- What should I do in an emergency?
- I’m sick and don’t know what to do. Is there someone I can call?
- Is there help for mental or emotional problems?
- Do I need an appointment?
- Can I just walk in?
- Who’ll be taking care of me?
- What else does UHS have?
- What about health insurance?
- Who’ll know I was seen at UHS?
- How do I get copies of my medical or immunization records?
What is University Health Services (UHS)?
UHS is UMass Amherst’s fully accredited health center, offering comprehensive care and referrals with a special focus on the needs and concerns of students.
Where is UHS?
In the Central Residential Area, near Franklin Dining Commons. For medical care, come to 150 Infirmary Way. Mental Health Services is in room 127 of the Hills North building.
Who can use UHS?
UHS serves UMass Amherst students, faculty and staff, along with their spouses, domestic partners and dependents.
The U.S. Fish & Wildlife Department's Region 5 employees are eligible to use UHS, through a cooperative agreement.
Visitors and those on campus for conferences, camps and other events can be seen at UHS on a fee-for-service basis.
When is UHS open?
Walk-in care is available from 8 a.m. – midnight; after hours, telephone triage and consultation services are provided. Routine care is by appointment.
Mental Health Services is open weekdays, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.; emergency on-call services are available 24/7.
What should I do in an emergency?
For life-threatening medical emergencies on campus, call 911 for transportation to a hospital.
For mental health emergencies, call (413) 545-2337 weekdays, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. and ask for the on-call clinician; after hours, on weekends or holidays, call UHS, (413) 577-5000.
I’m sick and don’t know what to do. Is there someone I can call?
Call (413) 577-5229; UHS' Triage Advice Nurse will help you determine the best course of care.
Is there help for mental or emotional problems?
Mental Health Services offers crisis intervention and short-term therapy for individuals, couples, families and groups.
Those paying the Student Health Fee are eligible for up to six therapy visits per semester, based on clinical need. Beyond that, therapy visits are billed to your primary insurance plan. All medication visits are billed to your primary insurance plan. Read your plan or contact your insurance carrier for specific information about the terms and conditions of your coverage.
For information and appointments, call (413) 545-2337.
Do I need an appointment?
For routine medical care, it’s always best to have an appointment; call (413) 577-5101 to make one.
If you can't wait for an appointment, call the Triage Advice Nurse for help determining the best course of care.
Mental Health Services sees clients by appointment; call (413) 545-2337. If it’s an emergency, ask for the on-call clinician.
Can I just walk in?
Walk-in care is available from 8 a.m. - midnight for immediate medical needs. People are treated in the order they arrive, unless someone with a very serious condition comes in. Waits of several hours are possible, but tend to be shortest before noon.
Who’ll be taking care of me?
Our team includes board-certified physicians, nurse practitioners, physician assistants, registered nurses, an optometrist, psychiatrists, psychologists, social workers and certified medical assistants. Plus, specialists in areas such as acupuncture, mind/body medicine, obstetrics/gynecology, orthopedics and sports medicine have office hours at UHS.
What else does UHS have?
Our services include a pharmacy, eye care and optical center, radiology, laboratory, physical therapy, allergy, travel medicine and specialty clinics right here on campus. The Center for Health Promotion is home to specialists, programs and information you need!
What about health insurance?
Massachusetts college students are required to have primary health insurance.
At UMass Amherst, you’re charged a mandatory Student Health Fee. This isn’t insurance, but works together with your primary plan to provide access to UHS, support UHS services and absorb costs insurance doesn’t cover.
Students with five or more credits are automatically be enrolled into and billed for the Student Health Insurance Plan (SHIP). If you’re already covered by other primary insurance, you must waive the SHIP online at the Aetna Student Health website before the end of the Add/Drop period.
Bring your health insurance card with you each time you come to UHS. If you’re covered under your parents’ insurance, ask them for a copy of the card; you’ll receive an ID card if you purchase SHIP.
Who’ll know I was seen at UHS?
By law, all UHS visits and medical records are confidential. No information can be released, either verbally or in writing, unless you sign a consent form.
UHS bills your primary insurance for services provided. Your insurance company will mail you a document called an Explanation of Benefits. Typically, this does not include treatment details.
Bills for things that aren’t covered by insurance are mailed from UHS. Because this can include sensitive information, make sure the address UHS has on file is where you want such materials sent.
