New Students
General FAQ

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

Additional assistance is available for students with physical, learning, sensory or psychological disabilities through the Disability Resource Center (Dean of Students Office, Division of Student Affairs).

Learn about all available primary and specialty care services at SHCC.

Important Forms

Save time in the waiting room – fill these out ahead of time!

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Charges, Billing & Payment
  • Health Insurance: We recommend patients review all insurance benefits and exclusions before the first visit. Contact your insurance company and provide them our tax identification name and number (Florida Clinical Practice Association, 591680273) to learn how your policy will work at our facility.

APPOINTMENTS & TRANSPORTATION

Do I have to make an appointment or can I walk in?

With the exception of urgent illness/injury care during regular business hours, CALL FIRST to be seen. New patients should have their UFID number and insurance card ready, then call the main number (352-392-1161) and follow the prompts to establish themselves at the SHCC. (Press 3, then 1.)

  • In general, students seeking care from a medical provider (MD, PA, or APRN) will be provided with the next available appointment time. In addition to in-person visits, patients can schedule a virtual visit via Telehealth with an SHCC provider.
  • Students who feel their concern is urgent may ask to speak to a nurse for same-day advice.

After obtaining an access code from your medical team, you may register for MyUFHealth/MyChart to request future appointments online, communicate with your doctor, access test results, request prescription refills and more. If you need a new access code, please call your team to have the information printed for pickup or mailed to you.

How do I cancel an appointment?

When you schedule an appointment with the UF Student Healthcare Center we set aside enough time to provide you with the highest quality care. Should you need to cancel or reschedule an appointment please contact our office through phone as soon as possible, and no later than the business day, prior to your scheduled appointment. This gives us time to schedule other patients who may be waiting for an appointment.

What happens if I’m late or don’t show up?

Any patient who is 15 minutes late, fails to show, or cancels/reschedules an appointment and has not contacted our office by the business day prior to the appointment, will be charged a $25 fee. Please see our detailed cancellations policy here.

What do I need to bring with me?

Bring your Gator1 photo ID to all appointments. If insured, bring your insurance card to every appointment. Save time in the waiting room by providing your insurance information ahead of time — visit Private Insurance and Verification for more information.

What is the best way to get to the SHCC?

Parking is available but limited. If you are able, taking a bus/shuttle, biking, walking or having a friend drop you off are the best ways to reach us.

  • RTS BUS ROUTES: Routes such as 28 and 34 that include the the Keys Residential Complex Midblock stop will take you closest to SHCC (2140 Stadium Rd).
  • GATOR LIFT: Provides on campus transportation to members of the UF community with permanent and temporary disabilities.
  • ADDITIONAL UF TRANSIT OPTIONS

MEDICAL CARE & RECORDS

Who will see me at my appointment?

Students are assigned a primary care medical team and provider upon entering UF. Operating much like a small doctor’s office, this system enables patients to return to the same group of providers for continuity of care. Familiar faces are a bonus!

What if I’m not sure I need to see someone but have a health-related question?

During regular business hours, your medical team’s nurses can talk to you, evaluate your problem and give general home care advice, if applicable, or advise you to come in for evaluation/treatment. Call your medical team about your concern and they will do everything possible to assist you.

What’s the best way to communicate with my health care provider?

The GLADD approach — Give information; Listen and learn; Ask questions; Decide on a treatment plan; and Do it! — created by the Institute for Child Health Policy at the University of Florida, is very helpful for both patients and their providers. The best way to make sure all your concerns are addressed is to talk about your medical history and current condition(s) as completely and honestly as possible.

Can the SHCC treat me if I have a chronic condition (asthma, diabetes, IBS, etc.)?

If you have a chronic condition (asthma, diabetes, IBS, etc.), we encourage you to schedule an initial evaluation appointment at the SHCC to provide past medical records and discuss a treatment plan while here at UF. You may include parents or family members at this appointment if the SHCC is notified when the appointment is made. If we cannot treat you at the SHCC, we can refer you to a qualified community provider and help with the transition. Additional assistance is available for students with physical, learning, sensory or psychological disabilities through the Disability Resource Center (Dean of Students Office, Division of Student Affairs).

Can the SHCC fill prescriptions, and do you take insurance?

Students may fill new and transfer most current prescriptions to the SHCC Pharmacy (Phone: (352) 392-1760 or (866) 941-1760 toll-free), which accepts a variety of commercial prescription plans when the associated plan’s card is presented at the time of purchase, and completes refills by phone or through the SHCC Online Refill Service. The SHCC Pharmacy accepts electronic prescriptions from any physician in the U.S. that subscribes to the Surescripts network.

Who has access to my medical records?

Due to federal privacy laws, the SHCC may not communicate with anyone other than the patient about their care without their express permission; however, the SHCC recommends regular communication via phone or email to discuss your health and well-being with family and friends.

  • 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.

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.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: Wildlife & You

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.