Comprehensive Guide to University of Oregon Health Services

The University of Oregon (UO) is committed to supporting the health and well-being of its students. University Health Services (UHS) offers a wide array of medical, mental health, and public health services right on campus. UHS is a nationally accredited, multi-specialty healthcare organization staffed by over 150 professionals dedicated to serving UO students. UHS utilizes an integrated approach, providing medical services, mental health services, and public health programming for all enrolled students. The UHS building, renovated in 2020, is equipped with advanced diagnostic and supportive medical equipment.

Accessing Care at UHS

Whether you're a new or returning student, UHS is ready to meet your health needs. Trips off-campus to the doctor’s office can be time-consuming and expensive, while the University Health Center is subsidized by student fees to offer low-cost general medical care to UO students.

Eligibility

UHS services are primarily for UO students. However, select medical and allied health services are available to other UO community members and visitors. Access to Counseling Services is generally limited to students who have paid the Student Administrative Health Fee (SAHF). Students become eligible for Medical and Allied Health Services once their status with the University is A-decision (accepted and deposited, generally up to two terms prior to their date of matriculation). Student eligibility continues through one term (or semester for Law students) after their last enrolled term/semester (for example, a student who graduates in spring is eligible through the summer term/semester). Under extenuating circumstances, a students may be eligible for one additional term, extended access for medical and allied health services on a case-by-case basis with Medical Director approval.

Registration

UHS has a registration process for medical services, similar to what you can expect from a community provider. Like with any clinic, there are forms we want all students to complete, preferably before arriving at your first UHS visit. This all will be done through the myUOHealth portal. Students should do the following:

Upload your existing health insurance information in the “Insurance” tab.
Complete the UHS required forms (noted with a red asterisk) in the “Forms” tab, including the important My Duck Health History form.
Upload any pertinent medical records in the “Upload” tab, especially if you will be seen for a pre-existing condition.

Making Appointments

Appointments can be made with UHS by calling 541-346-2770. In addition, acute care, immunization, and STI testing appointments can be made online through myUOHealth. Students may also make an appointment in person but are not guaranteed a same-day appointment. A nurse is always available to answer any questions or concerns.

Cancellation Policy

If you cannot keep your UHS appointment, please call as soon as possible at 541-346-2770. When you call, we will help you reschedule your appointment.

If you cancel your appointment with less than two (2) hours’ notice (medical appointments) or 24 hours’ notice (physical therapy services, psychiatry, and dental appointments) or if you fail to show up for a scheduled appointment, you will be charged a no-show/late-cancellation fee. No-show/late-cancellation fees vary based on the type of appointment. Refer to our Costs for Services page.

Comprehensive Services Offered at UHS

UHS provides a wide range of services, including medical care, psychiatry, counseling services, a pharmacy, physical therapy services, a dental clinic, well-being programming and much more. In addition to providing medical care, the University Health Center looks out for your wellness and good health before you ever get sick. You can get your flu shot, take a meditation class, get a massage, have acupuncture or learn CPR at the University Health Center. Health Promotion staff members are here to help you learn about your sexual wellness, the risks of alcohol and drug abuse, and even how to take care of allergies-an important thing to know in Eugene!

Medical Services

Medical Services provides primary care, acute care, sports medicine, travel medicine, and specialty care (including psychiatry, endocrinology, and gynecology). Within those main services lines, you will find teams who provide support for nearly all your medical needs, including continuity care for pre-existing medical conditions, sexual health services, transgender care, vaccines, laboratory and x-ray support.

The primary care team is comprised of smart, kind, board-certified physicians and nurse practitioners, as well as clinical support staff, who are all focused on the care of undergraduate and graduate students at the University of Oregon. We understand that many students are learning to navigate their health care on their own for the first time, and we are here to help! Here are some excellent reasons to schedule an appointment with a primary care provider:

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You want to establish care with a medical provider who can get to know you as a person and take care of you while you are a student at the UO.
You have a pre-existing medical condition that will need management while you are at the UO, including coordination with specialists.
You are having symptoms that you need help addressing, related to your physical health or mental health.
You need preventative care, such as a general physical, annual gynecology visit, contraception consult, or immunizations.
You aren’t sure where to start.

The primary care team is here to help guide you through managing your health, by either providing the care you need or referring you to the appropriate specialist.

Counseling Services

Counseling Services offers individual and group therapy for a wide range of concerns, including but not limited to: academic stress, relationships, depression, anxiety, eating concerns, and drug and alcohol issues. Additional services include case management, referrals, and educational workshops and consultative services for family, friends, and faculty and staff members needing guidance when concerned about a student.

The Mental Health Access Team provides direct access to mental health services for any student who feels a need for support. Students may drop in anytime UHS is open. No appointment is required. This team will offer urgent mental health evaluations, medication management support, urgent therapy support, intake to UHS mental health services, and will assist with transition of care for ongoing mental health care needs.

Availability of UHS Counseling Services is funded by the Student Administrative Health Fee (SAHF), and therefore the availability of Counseling Services is generally limited to students who have paid the SAHF. Note: If the SAHF is refunded in a term, the student is no longer eligible for services that term. Follow-up visit(s) may apply.

Most Counseling Services are provided to eligible students on an as needed basis. Counseling Services does not provide court-mandated assessment or treatment. Student eligibility begins one week prior to the term in which they have paid the SAHF and continues through the last day of the term break immediately following their eligible term (example: fall eligibility begins one week prior to classes and continues through the last day of the winter break).

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Public Health

The Public Health team provides health navigation and programming to students to improve the health and well-being of the campus population, generally through peer-led health and well-being programming. The Public Health team monitors immunization compliance, supports students with communicable diseases, and provides evidence-informed programming related to mental, physical, and sexual well-being into communities and through the Duck Nest Wellness Center. The Duck Nest is located on the ground floor of the EMU. The Public Health team and UHS in general provide many opportunities for student employment and leadership, both paid and volunteer.

Behavioral Health Consultant Program

Our medical clinic includes behavioral health consultants (BHCs)-mental health professionals who work alongside your medical providers to support your overall well-being. Your physical and mental/emotional health are interdependent. We are here to help you feel confident and supported as you navigate all parts of your health.

We recognize that each student holds unique identities and experiences that shape their health journey. Our BHCs strive to create a respectful and inclusive space where your voice is central.

Your medical provider may offer a BHC consult to help you:

Understand the interplay between mental health and physical health
Build coping skills and confidence to manage your health
Manage academic, social, or cultural stressors
Reduce anxiety or depression symptoms
Explore identity-related stressors, receive support, learn about relevant resources
Create a safe space to share and receive support
Explore lifestyle changes (e.g., sleep, nutrition, movement)
Manage chronic illness or pain
Navigate grief, loss, or major life transitions
Get immediate support during a mental health crisis

BHC visits are typically about 30 minutes, offered during your appointment or scheduled separately. There’s no additional cost, and you may meet once or for a few sessions based on your needs.

Paying for Services

UHS bills health insurance for medical and psychiatric care, pharmacy, physical therapy and dental. All programming and services provided by Counseling Services and Public Health are available at no charge for students because they are covered by the student health fee. Students have three billing options for services and supplies provided for Medical and Allied Health Services at UHS:

We can bill your health insurance plan. Any remaining balance will be billed to your student account (DuckWeb).
You can opt to ‘Pay Today’ so no bill goes to your health insurance plan or student account.
You can bill your student account for the entire cost of your visit.

Visit the Billing Options page for more details.

Health services charges are typically applied to your DuckWeb account within one week from the date of service and is listed as the "trans date" on the account. Student accounts allow an additional 30 days to pay the amount owed and lists the due date as the "effective date."

Student Administrative Health Fee (SAHF)

All registered students must pay the health fee, part of the UO tuition and fees package. The health fee ensures a healthy and safe campus. The fee supports the following:

Drop-in access to the Mental Health Access Team
Access to Counseling Services’ individual and group therapy sessions and outreach programming
Access to the UHS Wellness Center and well-being programming
Communicable disease response including immunization compliance
Access to safer sex supplies and resources at UHS and around campus
The ability for UHS to plan for and respond to campus health emergencies
Medical support for students who are victims of sexual assault
Triage nursing advice
Two 24/7 phone lines for mental health support and medical advice
And much more

The SAHF is not health insurance; see “How do I pay for my visit at University Health Services?” below. For more information, go to the Health Insurance page.

Insurance Information

The University of Oregon requires that international students have health insurance that meets established criteria. For this reason, all international students are automatically enrolled in the UO Student Health Benefits Plan and billed each term that they are eligible, unless they have an approved insurance waiver on file. More information about the international student health insurance requirement is available on the Insurance Requirements page.

UHS bills insurance. It is very important that you check with your health insurance plan so you understand if and how your plan will cover services at University Health Services.

Telemedicine Services

A telemedicine visit is a private interaction between you and your University Health Services clinician using Zoom real-time electronic audio-visual technology. If you do not have access to a laptop or smart phone that can add video, or if you are not comfortable with video, your appointment may be able to go forward using telephone only.

Just like an in-person visit, you will first be “checked in” by a medical assistant over the phone. This will include going over the reason for your visit, reviewing required forms for your visit including the telemedicine consent to treat form, reviewing your current medications and your preferred pharmacy, working with you to check your temperature, pulse, and any other vital signs. You will then be provided with a confidential, HIPAA-compliant Zoom link. At the time of your appointment, you will connect via the Zoom link with your clinician for your visit. Please plan to be in a private area for this appointment. A telemedicine visit is documented in your medical record and billed to your insurance just like an in-person visit would be.

Limitations of Telemedicine

Nothing can fully replace a person-to-person visit in an examination room, and a telemedicine visit has known limitations that are important to understand. First, there is always the possibility for technical glitches that could result in incomplete transfer of information or lack of full communication. It is important to communicate if you are not experiencing adequate quality sound and video so we can address the issue immediately. Second, since a full physical examination cannot be conducted and diagnostic testing performed, your clinician’s ability to fully assess and correctly diagnose some medical conditions may be limited. If needed, your clinician will discuss this with you and come up with a plan for how best to care for you. If you are in the Eugene area, you may be asked to come in for an in-person visit, or to drop by the lab for diagnostic testing. If you are outside the Eugene area, you may be asked to seek care with a community clinician or go to an urgent care clinic or local emergency department for appropriate care.

Confidentiality and Security

We have made every effort to ensure that your telemedicine visit is private and confidential, just as an in-person visit would be. It is important to know that all existing laws regarding privacy and security of your health information and copies of your medical record apply to this telemedicine visit and the audio and video information transmitted and received as part of this service. Any information you disclose during your telemedicine visit will be protected by the same privacy laws and regulations as an in-person visit. Having said that, as with any technology, there may be unanticipated technical glitches that could affect the privacy and confidentiality of your visit; we will work through those with you, if they occur.

Immunizations

The University of Oregon requires that all incoming students be immunized against a number of infectious diseases and complete a tuberculosis (TB) screening questionnaire. A hold will be placed on the registration process of students who are non-compliant with measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) requirements. For international students, the hold will be placed on registration prior to their first term at the University of Oregon. For domestic students who are US citizens, the hold will be placed on registration for their second term.

The viruses contained in flu shots are inactivated (killed), which means they cannot cause infection. Flu vaccine manufacturers kill the viruses used in the flu shot during the process of making the vaccine, and batches of flu vaccine are tested to make sure they are safe.

Additional Information

Sick Notes

University Health Services does not routinely provide “sick notes” for students who miss class due to illness or injury. This policy is consistent with UHS’s commitment to maintain confidentiality, encourage appropriate use of healthcare resources, and support meaningful dialogue between instructors and students. It is also consistent with UO policy around course attendance. Learn more about missing class due to illness or injury.

Emotional Support Animals

University Health Services does not perform evaluations or provide letters for emotional support or companion animals. While we understand an animal can be a source of support, there is increasing recognition that advanced expertise is needed to assess if an animal is appropriate. Support letters would need to be obtained from an outside mental health professional with expertise in this type of assessment.

Confidentiality

UHS complies with all privacy laws (HIPAA and FERPA) and best practices. As such, UHS maintains the security and confidentiality of your personal information, including electronic information. View the UHS privacy notice to learn more.

We can confidentially bill you, meaning services will not show up on your bill. If you seek insurance reimbursement, your insurance statement will have a detailed list of services rendered. If you pay cash for your appointment, your student account will not be billed. Learn more about our billing options.

Campus Access

We encourage students to walk or bike to University Health Services. There are many bicycle racks near our entrances. Students can also ride Lane Transit District buses free of charge with their UO ID card. Get off the EmX at the Agate Street station.

If you are driving, there is limited on-street, metered parking around the health services building. Parking can be difficult, so we ask that you come early in order to leave yourself enough time to find a spot and avoid parking in spots with restricted time (i.e., 30-minute meters) as this may not allow you enough time for your treatment. In cases of serious injury or impaired mobility, we recommend having a friend or family member drop you off and pick you up.

If you are in need of medical care or advice during the times we are closed, simply call the main phone number (541-346-2770) to speak with a triage nurse.

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