FAQs

All currently enrolled UWL or Western students who've paid the Health Center User Fee are eligible to use the Student Health Center. The Student Health Center user fee is automatically charged to all UWL students enrolled with ≥1 credits, with the exception of some programs, and all Western students enrolled with ≥6 credits. Students should be prepared to show their UWL/Western photo ID card before each Student Health Center appointment. 

The Student Health Center is not available to former or non-enrolled UWL or Western students, UWL or Western employees, non-enrolled partners/spouses, children/relatives of enrolled UWL or Western students, or local community members.

The Student Health Center (SHC) User Fee is automatically included in the general "fees" billed to enrolled UWL students with ≥1 credits, with the exception of some programs, and Western students with ≥6 credits during the Fall and Spring terms. Therefore, for these students there is no additional cost to access the SHC. The SHC User Fee is adjusted for J-term and Summer terms. See the Fees & costs page for more information. Western students are charged a co-pay of $10 for each visit with a primary care provider; $5 for each visit with a nurse or medical assistant, or $10 for every 10 Physical Therapy visits.

There are nominal charges for laboratory services, minor procedures (e.g. wart removal), equipment/supplies (e.g. crutches, splints), medications (including contraceptives), and immunizations. Any charges will be billed to the student account.

Yes, appointments are required. Appointments can be scheduled in-person during office hours, or by calling the Student Health Center 608.785.8558.  Appointments can be scheduled anytime using the MyHealth Web Portal. Same-day appointments are available for patients with concerns that warrant more immediate attention.

For your first appointment bring your student ID card, a list of current medications and allergies, and a copy of your insurance card in case a referral is needed. We recommend keeping a list of your medications and allergies, and a photocopy of your insurance card on your smartphone too. If you happen to have notes/records from other healthcare providers pertaining to your Student Health Center visit, bring these along as well. Consider also finding out if one of the local medical centers (Mayo Clinic Health System or Gundersen) is in your insurance company's network in case you need emergency services during your time at UWL.

For lower back, hip, thigh, knee, lower leg, ankle or foot examinations, please bring or wear a pair of athletic shorts. Women may bring or wear a sports bra if the area of concern involves the back or shoulder.

Consider bringing a list of your symptoms and concerns, so that you do not forget anything that may be important to discuss with your provider. During your appointment, you are encouraged to ask questions and talk about concerns regarding your health.

Health insurance is not required to use the Student Health Center and the Student Health Center does not file insurance claims for charged services or supplies. However, students are highly encouraged to obtain supplemental hospital-accident insurance to cover services such as hospitalization, emergency services, specialist care, major surgery, pharmacy, and ambulance transport. Charges for these services are not covered by the Student Health Center fee. If health insurance coverage is available through a family plan, students are urged to have the name of the insurance carrier and policy/subscriber numbers available on campus. It is also advisable to know if Mayo Clinic Health System and Gundersen Health System are in your insurance company's network in case you need emergency care. Students with United States citizenship who are not covered under family policies are encouraged to consult the Marketplace website at www.healthcare.gov for information on health insurance.

Currently there is no health insurance for students to purchase through the university.

How do I fill a prescription?

Student Health Center Dispensary Medication

When you are seen as a patient in the SHC, the provider may dispense medication to you from our Dispensary. This is a convenient, cost-effective alternative to taking a prescription to a pharmacy. Many of these prescriptions are for acute illnesses (e.g., antibiotics, symptom relief medications) but some are for ongoing medications (e.g. anti-depressants, birth control pills, etc.) are also available. These medications are prescribed by a provider during a clinic visit. Since the SHC is not a pharmacy, we are NOT able to fill prescriptions from outside medical providers.

Refilling Student Health Center Dispensary Medication

If you received the medication from the Student Health Center dispensary (i.e. your medication was given to you at the Student Health Center) and the medication is a continuing prescription, you may request refills by pressing the “Refill a Prescription” button at the top of the SHC website home page. You will need to fill out the form with your name, the name and dosage of the medication, and your phone number.

You must have a current prescription from an SHC provider in order to receive refills from the dispensary.

Written/Printed Prescriptions

What to do when you get a written prescription to take to the pharmacy.

If you have been given a printed or written prescription for a medication, follow the steps below to fill:

• Take the prescription to your preferred pharmacy.
• Present the printed prescription to the pharmacy, along with your INSURANCE CARD
• The pharmacy will fill your prescription. This may take up to an hour.

If you have medication that you will be taking every day for an extended period of time (examples include depression medications or birth control) you will usually have REFILLS available on your prescription.

To obtain the next month’s prescription from the pharmacy:

• Check your prescription bottle or package to see if you have refills left. This is usually along the bottom of the label (see image below).
• Call the pharmacy where you had the prescription filled. You also may be able to fill the prescription through an online account.
• Follow the prompts and provide the pharmacy with the prescription or RX number that is on the bottle or package.
• PLEASE NOTE—if you have refills left on your prescription you do NOT need to contact our office for a refill.
• If you no longer have refills left on your prescription, and the prescription was originally written by a Student Health Center provider, you may request a refill by either asking the pharmacy to contact the Student Health Center, or by pressing the “Refill a Prescription” button on the Student Health Center Home Page and completing the form.

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The Student Health Center is on the first floor of the UWL Health Science Center, which is located at 13th and Badger Streets (UWL campus map). Look for the Mayo Clinic Health System signage outside the entrance of the Student Health Center.

For parking, there is a pay lot on the South side of the Health Science Center (~$1.00/hr. at pay station near side of building). Street parking is available around or near the Health Science Center, although many adjacent street areas are "Pay-to-Park". Pay careful attention to signage when parking to avoid getting ticketed.

Dial 911 if the situation is life-threatening or an emergency.

Mayo Clinic Online Symptom Checker

Mayo Clinic Nurse Line: 608-785-0790

Indicate that you are a UWL or WTC student and ask to be connected to the nurse line.

Otherwise, Mayo Clinic Health System and Gundersen Health System both provide 24-hour walk-in urgent care services. Note: Payment for services at these facilities is your responsibility. The Student Health Center User Fee does not cover these services. 

Mayo Clinic Health System in La Crosse
608.785.0940
700 West Ave S La Crosse, WI 54601

Gundersen Health System
608.782.7300
1910 South Ave La Crosse, WI 54601

Neighborhood Family Clinic
608.781.9880
1526 Rose Street La Crosse, WI 54603

University Police
608.789.9999

See our Services page for details.

Services and supplies are billed to the student's account. If necessary, charges can be paid with credit/debit card at the time of visit.

Mayo Clinic Health System and University of Wisconsin-La Crosse staff members provide care at the Student Health Center.

The Student Health Center is a fully staffed medical clinic with outpatient physical therapy. Under the guidance of the medical director, the Student Health Center is staffed by Board-Certified Medical Doctors (MD's), Certified Family Nurse Practitioners (FNP's), Physician Assistants (PA's), Registered Nurses (RN's), Medical Assistants (MA's), Medical Laboratory Technicians (MLT's), Board-Certified Physical Therapists (PT's) and Physical Therapist Assistants (PTA's). As an educational institution, the Student Health Center offers several clinical internship experiences. Medical residents and/or student interns may be involved in your evaluation and/or treatment.

The Student Health Center does not provide medical excuses for missed classes or exams. This policy allows the providers to concentrate on caring for patients and it maintains our commitment to student privacy. The policy is similar to those of other major universities, consistent with the recommendations of the American College Health Association, and supported by the UWL Office of Student Life.

Students should contact their professors in the event of class absence(s) due to illness or injury. If Student Health Center staff are aware that a student will be unable to attend classes for an extended period of time (usually a week or more), we will notify the Office of Student Life. The Student Life Office will then send out a Notification of Medical Illness (via e-mail) to all of the student’s professors. The individual student is still responsible for arranging for make-up work directly with faculty. In the event of a Medical Withdrawal from the University, the Office of Student Life and the Student Health Center work together to determine the necessity of the withdrawal and send notification to all appropriate departments.

The Student Health Center can provide verification of appointment attendance for special circumstances, although attendance verifications are NOT excuses for missed classes, exams, etc. and should not be routinely requested.

Your health record can be accessed only by you and members of the Student Health Center staff. All information in a student's health record is entirely confidential and is not released to anyone (including parents) without your written consent.

Yes--see the Fees & costs page for current cost.

Yes--examination, treatment and education of sexually-transmitted infections is available at the Student Health Center. Confidential testing (not treatment) is available for HIV.

Visit the HIV and Sexually-Transmitted Infections section on the Services page for more information about examination and treatment or the Fees & Costs page for costs.

Yes. To refill your birth control pills at the Student Health Center, you must provide a written prescription from your primary care provider. See the Fees & Costs page for current contraceptive costs.

Yes--see the Travel or Study Abroad Consultation section on the Services page for more.