Urgent Care at the Tang Center

The Urgent Care Clinic is a drop-in service for urgent medical problems. Urgent problems include sudden, serious and unexpected illnesses, injuries or conditions which require immediate medical attention.

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What to Expect When You Come to Urgent Care

Understanding how and when services are provided in the Urgent Care Clinic will help you obtain the most effective and appropriate medical care, so that you can feel better as soon as possible. Your visit to Urgent Care will follow these steps:

Assessment of Your Condition

• Upon your arrival in Urgent Care, please sign in to see the Assessment Nurse for an assessment of your condition. The Assessment Nurse will speak with you quickly and assess your needs for your visit. If you need to be seen in Urgent Care, you will be referred to the Urgent Care registration desk. A triage nurse may speak with you about your symptoms, take your vital signs and consult with a physician if necessary. If you have an acute condition, such as shortness of breath, chest pain, active bleeding, etc., please let the nurse know before being seated.
• If your condition requires immediate attention, the triage nurse (in consultation with a physician as necessary) will determine the best location for your care. You may be seen by a clinician in Urgent Care or referred to another health facility (e.g. Alta Bates Hospital).
• If your condition does not require immediate care, the nurse will assist you in scheduling a medical appointment within an appropriate time period in one of the medical clinics.
  

If You Will Be Seen In Urgent Care

• If Urgent Care is the best location for your care, you will be asked by a clinic assistant to fill out registration forms. You then will be asked to have a seat in the waiting area until your name is called. Please understand that patients in Urgent Care are seen first in order of medical priority, then in order of arrival. For the safety of all patients, those with the most serious conditions will be treated before those with less serious conditions. When the clinic is busy, waiting time may be extended. Usually, the busiest hours usually are from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. and after 4 p.m. Your cooperation and patience while waiting are appreciated.
• Your name will be called as soon as an exam room is available for you. Your clinician will work with you to determine the best plan of treatment and follow-up care for your condition. If you have a condition that cannot be fully evaluated or treated in the Urgent Care Clinic, the clinician will make arrangements to transfer you to a hospital emergency room or to be referred to a specialist for further care.
  

Insurance Coverage for Urgent Care Visits

During the academic year, registered students do not pay a fee to visit Urgent Care. However, there may be fees associated with your visit (e.g., lab fees). The Student Health Insurance Plan (SHIP) covers most fees incurred in Urgent Care. If you have SHIP, you usually will pay the cashier only 20% of fees for covered services. UHS will file a claim with SHIP for the remainder of the charges. Please direct any questions you may have about SHIP coverage to the Student Health Insurance Office at (510) 642-5700.

Please take the Encounter Form to the Cashier to pay your portion of fees within seven business days. If you have not paid within seven days, the Cashier will bill you for the amount plus a $10 billing fee.

If you have SHIP and are transferred to another health care facility, the Student Health Insurance Office will authorize coverage for off-site services. Emergency room services do not require authorization, but all other services, such as visits to a specialist's office, must be authorized. During business hours, the staff will assist you with the authorizations. For after-hours transfers, retroactive authorization must be obtained within 24 hours or during the next business day. Contact the Student Health Insurance Office at (510) 642-5700 for more information on authorizations for, and coverage of, off-campus medical services.

Private Insurance: It is important to learn about your own insurance policy benefits. If you have lab tests or other procedures done in Urgent Care and you have private insurance, please take your Encounter Form to the Cashier and pay within seven business days. If you have not paid within seven days, you will be billed for the amount plus a $10 billing fee. Following payment, contact your insurance company regarding possible reimbursement. UHS does not bill private insurance plans or accept Medi-Cal.

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