Navigating Urgent Care Options Near the University of Michigan

For students and staff at the University of Michigan (U-M), accessing prompt medical care is crucial amidst busy schedules filled with classes, assignments, and campus life. When a sudden illness or injury occurs, knowing where to go for immediate assistance can significantly reduce disruptions. This article explores the urgent care resources available to the U-M community, including those offered by the University itself and external options like MI Express Urgent Care.

University Health and Counseling Services (UHC)

University Health and Counseling (UHC) provides medical and psychological services for enrolled U-M undergraduate and graduate students. Many medical services are also available to U-M faculty and staff. These services include support for students experiencing a crisis, emergency, or urgent situation.

Crisis Services Provided by UHC

The following is a list of crisis services provided by UHC. Students have no out-of-pocket costs for all services through CAPS (counseling), most medical clinic visits, 24/7 nurse and mental health advice, and more. Some services, such as immunizations, prescriptions, imaging, and most labs, will be billed to insurance or require out-of-pocket payment.

Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS)

Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) provides urgent in-person, phone, or video counseling during open hours.

U-M Psychiatric Emergency Service

U-M Psychiatric Emergency Service provides emergency walk-in consultation and phone service, day and night. Located at 1500 E. Medical Center Drive in Ann Arbor (on the medical campus).

Nurse Advice

When UHS is open, call 734-764-8320, explain your situation, and ask for Nurse Advice. UHS can evaluate and treat minor illnesses and injuries, including some broken bones.

Medical Care at UHS

You can call UHS at 734-764-8320 for Nurse Advice, day or night. UHS can evaluate and treat minor illnesses and injuries, including some broken bones. When you experience a sudden unexpected illness or an injury, you want to be seen right away. Yet not all concerns are life-threatening and therefore may not warrant a trip to the emergency room. For all non-life-threatening emergencies, always call your primary care provider first. Your provider knows your history and can advise you when to use the other options for care. You can send a secure message to your care team through MyChart whenever you have time - day or night - and your care team will typically respond in one to two business days. It looks and feels very similar to texting on your smart phone, only it’s more secure. Secure, online video appointment with your primary care provider or a specialist.

Emergency Services

If you are age 21 or older, use the U-M Hospital Emergency Department located at 1500 E. Use UM Hospital Psychiatric Emergency Services at 1500 E. Emergency physicians are experts in life-threatening situations. In an emergency, Don’t Wait and Don’t Drive yourself or a loved one to the emergency room. The Emergency Room is not the appropriate place to go for non-life threatening illness, contagious conditions or chronic conditions. Don’t wait until these conditions become a life-threatening situation.

U-M Health Virtual Urgent Care

As COVID-19 continues to surge in the State of Michigan, University of Michigan Health Virtual Urgent Care offers patients a safe and reliable way to receive care from the comfort of their homes.

“We are proud to announce this option of virtual urgent care for our patients, giving them next-day - or even same-day - access to appointments when they might not be able to make an appointment with their primary care provider,” said Julia Chen, M.D., a primary care physician at Michigan Medicine. “This also provides continuity of care, in that the practitioners have access to their patients’ medical records and histories. Virtual Urgent Care offers two convenient options for patients: video visits and e-visits.

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Video Visits

A virtual urgent care video visit is a real time interaction with a U-M health care provider using Zoom.

E-Visits

There is no appointment or phone call needed for an e-visit. And existing University of Michigan Health patients can easily submit an e-visit request at any time, day or night, through their existing patient portal account and expect a response the same or next day. E-visits are also available for existing University of Michigan Health pediatric patients; parents can submit an e-visit to receive a treatment plan for their child.

“Previously, we only offered ‘urgent’ care video visits for COVID-related symptoms,” said Jessie DeVito, MHSA, who serves as the virtual care operations director for U-M Medical Group. “But now, patients can schedule an urgent care video visit for a number of other symptoms, providing increased access to our patients.

“This care option is all about increasing patient convenience,” added DeVito. “Patients seeking an urgent care e-visit can complete a brief questionnaire within their portal and then our health care providers will review the information and send a treatment plan in response.

“Increasingly, we are doing things online and in the virtual world as a society. From things like banking to other types of appointments,” said Chen. “So, this is a continuation of that into the health care space. Due to limited supply, COVID-19 antiviral medications and/or monoclonal antibody treatments cannot be ordered through Virtual Urgent Care.

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Exploring Other Urgent Care Centers Near Campus

When juggling classes, assignments, and campus life, sudden illness or injury can be particularly disruptive. For students and staff at the University of Michigan (U-M), quick access to medical care isn't just a nice-to-have, it’s essential. Long wait times at hospitals or clinics can make a tough day even harder.

Why Short Wait Time Matters

When you’re sick, every minute feels longer. Students and university staff don’t just need quality care, they need it now. Quick treatment helps minimize missed classes, delayed labs, and disruptions to assignments or work schedules. Unlike crowded emergency rooms or hospital urgent care clinics, urgent care centers are designed to handle non-emergency health issues more efficiently, often without the hours-long waits. And in a college town like Ann Arbor, fast service isn’t just nice, it’s essential.

What to Look for in an Urgent Care Center Near Campus

Need fast, reliable care near campus? Here’s what to look for before you walk in:

Proximity to the University of Michigan: When you're not feeling well, the last thing you want is a long commute. An ideal urgent care should be within a short drive, bus ride, or even a walk from campus.
Short Wait Times and Walk-In Availability: Some urgent care centers offer real-time wait tracking and fast check-in services. Even better? Centers that consistently deliver efficient care without requiring appointments.
Student-Friendly Services: The best urgent care clinics near a college campus understand student health needs and provide services like:
- Cold and flu symptom treatment
- Strep throat and sinus infection care
- Minor sprain, burn, and injury care
- Allergy relief and asthma treatment
- UTI/STI testing and treatment
- Vaccinations, IV therapy, and study abroad physicals
Extended Hours & Same-Day Access: With classes, part-time jobs, and evening labs, students often can’t make standard clinic hours. That’s why it’s important to choose a care provider that stays open when you need it.
Insurance & Cost Transparency: College students need to watch their budgets. A good urgent care center near campus should accept student health plans and clearly explain self-pay options without hidden charges.

MI Express Urgent Care: A Smart Choice for U-M Students

MI Express Urgent Care in Ann Arbor is a potential option for U-M students and staff. Here’s why:

Fast service with short wait times
Walk-in access, no appointment necessary
Full range of services, from flu shots to X-rays
Conveniently located near the University of Michigan
Friendly, compassionate staff who understand campus life

From sore throats to sports injuries, MI Express Urgent Care aims to make it easy to get the care you need, quickly and affordably.

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