University Health Services, located at 207 Fletcher St., behind the Michigan League, offers health care services to University students, faculty and alumni. Patients can schedule an appointment to see a physician or walk in during open hours, although the waiting period to see a doctor is often fairly long. UHS is open 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday, and 9 a.m. to noon Saturday.
- Paul Wong
- University Health Services (UHS) is located at 207 Fletcher Street. (EMMA FOSDICK/Daily)
The services provided by UHS are subsidized by a health service fee that students pay as part of their tuition, so students do not have to pay for individual appointments or checkups as long as they are enrolled for the term.
But some items, including contact lenses, eye glasses and immunizations are not covered by the fee.
Students do not need to have a referral from their family physician to receive care at UHS and only international students need health care insurance. But UHS recommends every student be insured to cover emergency costs, such as ambulances or hospitalization.
In addition to regular medical treatment, UHS offers a variety of special services and programs. The Nutrition Clinic provides students with advice on healthy dieting, exercise and managing the stress created by the academic pressure of college life.
The physical therapy department aids students recovering from sports injuries, and students can receive diagnostic X-rays or ultrasound treatment. UHS also provides contraceptive counseling, morning-after pills and free condoms.
UHS expanded its services further last year by offering group support sessions to students trying to quit smoking. Participants in the program boost their chances of staying smoke-free 37 to 40 percent, which is eight times better than a smoker trying to break the habit on their own.
Despite the variety of medical services and counseling available, pregnancy care and mental health counseling are two treatments not provided by UHS.
But the facility can provide students suffering from such problems with brochures or refer them to other local clinics.