Tips and Timesavers
- Choose a primary care provider
- Call ahead
- Using Urgent Care
- Checking in
- Paperwork
- Cards
- Prescriptions
- Contraception
- Immunization records
Choose a primary care provider
Your UHS primary care provider, or PCP, is a medical doctor, nurse practitioner or physician assistant who’ll be responsible for the majority of your health care while you’re at UMass Amherst. This person will also coordinate care with specialists, or your home practitioner if you so choose. For an appointment, call 577-5101.
Call ahead
Call the Advice Triage Nurse, 577-5229, before coming to Urgent Care. This is the best way to reduce waiting times. The Advice Triage Nurse will ask you questions and help determine what you should do – self-care, a clinic appointment, urgent care or ambulance transportation to a hospital.
Using Urgent Care
Check in at Patient Services (weekdays, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.); or at the Medical Records desk (after 5 p.m. or on weekends). Patients are seen in the order of arrival, unless someone with a life-threatening condition comes to Urgent Care. Generally, waiting times are shorter before noon.
Checking in
If it’s your first time being seen at UHS, stop at Patient Services before going to your appointment. Otherwise, go to the Central Registration area, just past the elevator on the first floor.
If you’re seeing the eye doctor, check in with the Eye Care Services staff; there’s no need to stop at Central Registration.
Paperwork
Save some time by printing and completing any necessary UHS forms before your first visit to UHS or Mental Health Services; be sure to bring the forms with you! You can also print forms for the release of medical records information from our site.
Cards
Bring your insurance card and/or pharmacy card with you every time you come to UHS. The pharmacy will collect your insurance plan’s co-payment when you pick up your prescription; you can pay with cash, check, UCard, Visa, MasterCard or Discover.
Prescriptions
To refill a prescription from the UHS Pharmacy, call 577-5030. Be ready to provide the patient’s name and date of birth, along with the prescription number or the medication name. Refills will be ready for pickup on the next business day. The pharmacy holds prescriptions for up to 14 days after they’ve been ordered, although the exact length of time depends on the medication. It’s always best to pick up prescriptions as soon as possible.
Contraception
Purchase male and female condoms at the UHS Pharmacy; samples are available from your Resident Assistant and at many health programs and events. Contraception appointments can be made by through your PCP; call 577-5101. Emergency contraception is available from your UHS provider and at the Pharmacy. Learn more about contraceptive choices from your provider, on this website and from Health Education, 577-5181.
Immunization records
Mail, fax or bring your completed New Student Immunization Form and supporting documents to the New Student Immunization Program (NSIP) as soon as possible after being accepted at UMass Amherst. You must submit information before the end of the add/drop period, or a hold will be placed on your record. Questions? Call the NSIP, 577-5275.
