Incoming Students and Families
Welcome to UW–Madison!
The transition to college is an important time for students and their loved ones. University Health Services takes the health and safety of our students seriously.
Learn more about the scope of our care as we prepare to welcome you to campus.
Key Dates and Deadlines
There are a few important health-related dates and deadlines to keep in mind for new students.
July 15: MyUHS Access Begins
Incoming Fall 2026 students can access MyUHS to complete health forms, including the information and consent form and minor consent form.
August 7: Deadline to Share Vaccination Status
Students must share their vaccination status through MyUHS.
August 15: UHS Eligibility Begins
Incoming Fall 2026 students are eligible to begin using UHS services.
Speaking with your student about health topics
Conversations about health can be difficult, especially around issues like alcohol use, sexual violence, and mental health and suicide. UHS created a guide to help facilitate conversations around these common health concerns that can sometimes be associated with college culture more broadly.
Action Items
Before coming to campus, there are a few things students must do.
Review Health Insurance
All enrolled students are eligible for the medical and counseling care available at University Health Services through their tuition and fees. However, UHS is not a substitute for health insurance. UHS is not open evenings and weekends and does not provide Emergency Room care, hospitalization, or specialty care for complex problems. We recommend that students review their insurance coverage before coming to campus.
The voluntary UW-Madison Student Health Insurance Plan (SHIP) is a good option for students without adequate insurance coverage. SHIP members utilize UHS for primary and preventive care and are also protected by a nationwide network of hospitals, clinics, and specialized medical services.
Disclose Vaccination Status
University policy requires students to disclose their vaccination status for the following communicable diseases:
- Measles, Mumps, Rubella (MMR)
- Tetanus, Diphtheria, Pertussis (Tdap)
- Varicella (Chicken Pox)
- Meningococcal (ACWY, B)
- Hepatitis B
To comply with this requirement, students must upload their vaccination records or submit a confirmation form that indicates they are unvaccinated. The deadline to complete this requirement for incoming fall 2026 students is August 7.
Complete Health Forms and Health History in MyUHS
Complete required health forms in the “Medical Clearances” section of MyUHS. Students will not be able to receive medical or mental health services at University Health Services without completing certain health forms through MyUHS.
Incoming students for fall 2026 will have access to MyUHS beginning in mid-July. Click on “Medical Clearances” in the right sidebar to complete required items:
- Health History
- Information and Consent Form
Complete Minor Consent Form (Students Under Age 18)
Students who are under the age of 18 as of August 15 must have a parent or legal guardian complete a consent form to be eligible to receive all UHS services.
Without a signed minor consent form, many UHS medical services cannot be provided. STI testing, pregnancy testing, and sexual assault-related services are available to minors without parent/legal guardian consent.
Our Services
Medical Services
UHS Medical Services treats many common health concerns like sore throats, colds, upset stomachs, and pink eye. Our clinicians also provide a wide range of preventative care. Students can access sexual health care including STI testing, nutrition services, pre-travel consultations, and much more!
Mental Health Services
UHS Mental Health Services provides flexible, short-term mental health care in supportive and responsive ways to meet students’ individual needs. Like most of our services, mental health care is no-cost to students. UHS offers counseling as well as psychiatry, survivor support, and assessments for specialized concerns.
Prevention Services
UHS engages all students in online training opportunities to learn more about their role in preventing sexual violence, alcohol and drug misuse, and suicide. Prevention and Campus Health Initiatives does this through community-specific trainings and workshops, presentations on campus-level health data, and Badger Recovery, a UW-Madison recovery community.
Frequently Asked Questions
Incoming Fall 2026 students are eligible to begin using UHS services after August 15. Access to MyUHS (online appointment scheduling) begins in mid-July.
Medical Services
Students can make medical appointments online (via MyUHS) or by calling 608-265-5600 (option 1). Many same-day appointments are available.
There are two clinics on campus. The main clinic is located on East Campus Mall near the Southeast Residence Halls. The Lakeshore Clinic is located in Dejope Hall. Both clinics are open to all students.
Mental Health Services
Many mental health services appointments are self-bookable online through MyUHS. Some clinical services, including individual counseling and psychiatric services, require an initial a phone screening (called an Access Appointment) to collaboratively determine your needs and connect you to the best resources.
Students have access to counselors every day on campus through drop-in opportunities. These are shorter, informal, one-on-one sessions. No appointment is required and there is availability every day of the week. Same-day and next-day appointments are also available through Uwill. We also have a crisis phone line that is available 24/7.
For most services at UHS there is no cost because students pay for UHS services with their segregated fees. For all of the things your student would see a provider for at home, there is no cost for those same appointments at UHS.
There are costs associated with some immunizations and specialty services like travel forms or physical exams for some employers.
Fill a new prescription
UHS does not have a pharmacy on site but there are three pharmacies within walking distance of campus (including a Walgreens in the same building as UHS). If a student is prescribed a medication, they are responsible for picking up that prescription and any cost associated with the prescription. Students are advised to bring their prescription benefit card to campus with them.
Transfer medication
Students should come with an adequate supply of medication until they are able to establish care with a UHS provider, should they choose to transfer their prescription.
Students who are interested in transferring their psychiatric medication management to UHS should refer to the UHS Psychiatry page for information on the referral process. After reviewing this information, the next step is to schedule an Access Appointment. This appointment is the entry point to accessing Mental Health Services at UHS.
UHS medical and mental health records are protected by federal law. UHS does not disclose information to parents or guardians for students over the age of 18 without the student’s consent. Students have the right to receive information about and assistance with advance directives and designating someone (known as a health care power of attorney) to make health care decisions for them in the event that they are unable. Being a Designated Agent for Advance Directives or Health Care Power of Attorney does not automatically allow access to the medical records. Learn more about Advance Directives.
If your student is 18 years or older, their health records are protected by federal and state health privacy laws. We can’t talk to parents and family members about a student’s health without their permission. Being your student’s Health Care Power of Attorney does not automatically allow for access to their health records.
Students have the right to receive information about and assistance with advance directives and designating someone (known as a health care power of attorney) to make health care decisions for them in the event that they are unable. Being a Designated Agent for Advance Directives or Health Care Power of Attorney does not automatically allow access to the medical records. Learn more about Advance Directives.
Students can complete an Release of Information AFTER they establish care at UHS. We’re often asked if the student can sign a “blanket” release of information form and the answer is no. In health care matters, advance releases are not legally defensible and can be revoked by the student at any time.
With a student’s permission, UHS clinicians speak with parents regularly and appreciate parental involvement when appropriate. UHS clinicians encourage students to allow them to contact their family members when a student experiences a significant illness or injury. However, if the student declines, the clinician, legally, must respect the student’s decision.
UHS Health Information Management
333 East Campus Mall, 8th floor
Phone: 608-262-1676
Fax: 608-262-9160
At this time, UW-Madison does not have a vaccine requirement for students. However, University policy requires students to disclose their vaccination status for the following communicable diseases:
- Measles, Mumps, Rubella (MMR)
- Tetanus, Diphtheria, Pertussis (Tdap)
- Varicella (Chicken Pox)
- Meningococcal (ACWY, B)
- Hepatitis B
To comply with this requirement, students must upload their vaccination records or submit a confirmation form that indicates they are unvaccinated. Students who do not complete this requirement are subject to a registration hold that will delay future course enrollment. The deadline to complete this requirement for incoming fall 2026 students is August 7. Read more about this requirement.
If you live in University Housing, Wisconsin state law requires you to inform the university whether you have been vaccinated against hepatitis B and meningococcal disease. Comply with this requirement by completing sharing your vaccination status through MyUHS. If you do not share your vaccination status, you may be in violation of your housing contract.
Learn about meningococcal disease and hepatitis B.