New Students

Welcome to the University of Florida and the Student Health Care Center. Our mission is to help you remain healthy while you’re at UF, so please remember that we are here to help!

Click here to read about information privacy and security at the SHCC, as well as review our JOINT NOTICE OF PRIVACY PRACTICES AND NOTICE OF ORGANIZED HEALTH CARE ARRANGEMENT.

Helpful SHCC website links

Medical team assignments

All registered students are randomly assigned to one of six of the SHCC’s medical teams upon entering UF. To find out to which medical team you are assigned, call (352) 392-1161, then enter 3 and follow the recorded instructions.

  • As team assignments are based on enrollment, your exact assignment may not be available till the first week of classes; however, we are happy to help you in any capacity should you need information or would like to see a medical provider or specialist prior to being assigned to a team.
  • Should you wish to switch teams, please let your current team secretary know.

Medical records privacy

Your parents have most likely been involved in your health care since day one. Due to federal privacy laws, however, the SHCC may not communicate with anyone other than the patient about their care without their express permission. But sometimes a phone call is all it takes to help reassure your loved ones you’re doing OK. We recommend regular communication via phone or e-mail to discuss your health and well-being.

  • In accordance with the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), the SHCC may not release information about medical care for any student 18 or over without express permission from the patient. (By law, medical records for patients 17 and under are available to parents/legal guardians.)
  • Should a patient 18 or over wish to release specific medical information to a third party, such as a parent or family member, they should inform their health care provider during or immediately after their visit. As each visit is treated individually, the patient must inform their health care provider of their wishes at each visit.

Chronic illnesses

We realize many students may have to deal with a chronic illness while away from home. If you have a chronic illness that needs to be managed regularly, the SHCC can provide most services to treat you.

Schedule an initial appointment with your pre-assigned medical team to discuss treatment. (You may find out to which team you are assigned by calling (352) 392-1161, then entering 3 and following the recorded instructions.) If we cannot treat you at the SHCC, we will refer you to a qualified community provider.

Fees and payment for services

Costs vary depending on the services provided. Please review the following information about our fees for services. For more detailed information, visit our Fees for Services, Billing Information, Health Insurance Options areas.

  • The per-credit-hour student health fee, paid as part of tuition, covers the co-pay associated with most SHCC office visits.
  • Charges are assessed for things like medical equipment, X-rays, laboratory work, procedures and visits with specialists.
    • Charges are assessed for medical services rendered via phone, such as advice or prescriptions, only if the call is initiated by the patient and if SHCC staff are able to render said services via phone, thereby saving the patient an in-office visit.
    • The SHCC Laboratory charges a $15 handling fee for both in-house and outside tests. This fee is not covered by any insurance policy and is billed directly to the patient’s UF account.
  • Unless otherwise requested (for example, the patient wishes to self-pay), the insurance company on file is billed for the cost of the visit and any additional services.
    • Although SHCC Patient Financial Services (Phone: 352-273-4546 or e-mail: insurance@shcc.ufl.edu) is here to help, it is the patient’s responsibility to know what their insurance policy covers — and the patient is ultimately liable for any charges not covered by insurance. Use the toll-free number on the insurance card to find out policy benefits in detail from the insurance company in advance of care.
  • Patients may be charged a no-show fee if they fail to arrive before the end of a scheduled appointment or fail to cancel within 24 hours of certain types of appointments, such as minor surgery, specialist visits and women’s health.

Both private and university-sponsored health insurance plans are accepted for most medical services, and the SHCC Pharmacy also accepts a limited number of prescription plans. Charges not covered by insurance will post to the patient’s UF account, which can only be paid at Criser Hall or online at www.isis.ufl.edu. Accounts must be paid in full by the end of each semester or you may not be able to register for future classes or graduate, if applicable.

Health insurance coverage

Though not required to access our services, the university and the SHCC strongly encourage all students to carry some form of health insurance coverage. In addition to the SHCC accepting many private health insurance plans for most medical services, UF sponsors low-cost health insurance plans designed to cover most SHCC services. Visit our Health Insurance Options area for more information.

  • NOTE: University-sponsored plans do not replace GatorGradCare, which is only available to graduate students on appointment.

Communicating with your doctor about your health

The Institute for Child Health Policy at the University of Florida created a video for teens and young adults to help them learn how to communicate effectively with their health care provider. Watch this video now.

Florida’s wildlife

Alachua County and the UF campus both have their fair share of wild animals, and sometimes students will come into contact with them in a not-so-nice way. For that reason, we offer vaccines and care for animal bites. (NOTE: Anyone working with unvaccinated carnivores will go through the pre-employment rabies pre-exposure series.)

Wildlife is just that: WILD. Unvaccinated, non-domesticated (feral) cats and dogs are potential rabies carriers. Wild mammals such as raccoons and bats are also potential rabies carriers. Following these few basic tips can help keep you “out of the woods”:

  • Do not interact directly with wildlife on campus, including calling or chasing.
  • Do not feed wild animals or leave out food for feral cats or dogs — no matter how friendly they may seem — or try to pick up a new pet.
  • If you find a hurt or injured animal, call Florida Wildlife Care at (352) 371-4443. (24-hour help line: (352) 371-4400)

Bottom line? Enjoying wildlife from a distance keeps animals wild and people safe.