Call for Help

Emergency Rooms & Urgent Care

Call 911 for medical emergencies

UHS does not cover hospital inpatient, emergency room, or immediate care treatment provided outside our clinic. Emergency room and hospitalization charges are not covered by student segregated fees. We recommend that students have hospitalization insurance that includes emergency room coverage, such as the UW–Madison Student Health Insurance Plan.

Emergency room or urgent care?

Emergency rooms

Specifically designed to manage life-threatening illnesses and injuries including:

  • chest pain
  • shortness of breath
  • loss of consciousness
  • drug overdose
  • acute alcohol intoxication
  • gunshot or knife wounds
  • fractures
  • seizures
  • accidents such as falls or involving motor vehicles
  • eye injuries
  • severe lacerations
  • high fever (greater than 101°F) with a severe headache and a stiff neck

Urgent care facilities

Evening and weekend health care for acute problems that are NOT life-threatening. Examples of illnesses and injuries managed urgent care facilities include:

  • rashes
  • upper respiratory infections
  • sore throats
  • earaches
  • headaches
  • abrasions
  • lacerations
  • flu
  • back pain
  • sprains
  • minor fractures

If you cannot decide whether you require immediate medical care, call UHS at 608-265-5600 (option 1).