Appointments

Need help from Student Health? Please call us first! 831-459-2500.

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Telehealth is appropriate for the following conditions: 

  • Allergies 
  • Common respiratory infections like cold, flu or sinusitis (without chest pain or difficulty breathing)
  • Fatigue or sleep issues 
  • Medication management and prescription refills 
  • Mental health concerns (e.g., anxiety, depression, stress)
  • PrEP/Doxy-PEP
  • Referral or lab order requests
  • Reproductive health consultations (e.g., contraception, menstrual periods)
  • Review of lab/diagnostic tests 
  • Routine follow-up 
  • Skin conditions like rash, eczema or acne (NO genital lesions)
  • Urinary symptoms (without nausea, vomiting, fever, back pain or abdominal pain)
  • Vaginal symptoms (without fever or abdominal/pelvic pain)

To schedule, go to Health e-Messenger at studenthealth.ucsc.edu, then choose "Appointments."

Fees: These fees apply to Student Health Center medical services only. They do not apply to CAPS and UCSC Psychiatry. See the CAPS website for more information about scheduling a mental health appointment.

  • UC SHIP: none
  • CruzCare: $40-$75
  • Private Insurance: $66-$155

Telehealth is not appropriate for the following conditions as they require an in-person evaluation or urgent medical attention:

  • Abdominal/pelvic pain
  • Acute injuries or trauma 
  • Allergic reaction
  • Asthma exacerbation 
  • Breast lumps
  • Chest pain
  • Dizziness 
  • Eye or ear complaints
  • Genital lesions
  • Headache
  • Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea 
  • Neurological symptoms (e.g., weakness, numbness, confusion)
  • Rectal bleeding
  • Shortness of breath/difficulty breathing

In-Person Appointments

Schedule By Phone: Same-day care and most in-person appointments must be scheduled by phone at 831-459-2500. For counseling or psychiatric care, see CAPS. Visitors from other UCs are welcome! Call us to get started.

Schedule Online: You can schedule online using Health e-Messenger (studenthealth.ucsc.edu) for these in-person appointments:

  • Required Immunizations (HEP A/B, HPV, FLU, TDAP, MMR, Varicella, and Meningitis ONLY, please call us for boosters or other vaccine availability)  
  • Lab Visits
          ● General lab visit (blood test, urine test, etc.)
          ● Self-ordered STI tests 
  • Optometry eye exams
  • Nutrition Initial Visit
  • Optometry

Visitors from other UCs: Are you in Santa Cruz but enrolled at another UC? You can use many of our in-person services. To get started, contact insure@ucsc.edu and let them know you want an in-person appointment.

Eligibility: All currently registered undergraduate and graduate students are eligible to use Student Health Services. At times, students without UC SHIP may be referred to their off-campus providers for some non-acute conditions, preventive services, and chronic medical conditions. 

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Services That Don't Require Appointments

For these services, no appointment is needed:

How to Prepare for Your Appointment

Prepare for your visit and learn what you need to do  in advance, how to check-in, and what to expect at your appointment.

Choose the Right Appointment Type for You 

Routine Healthcare: Make Appointment

Schedule an appointment (telehealth or in-person care) for non-urgent issues and leave the same-day care for those who truly need it. Examples of routine care include annual exams, ongoing therapy sessions, eye exams, or help with digestive issues.

Same Day Care

Use the Same Day Clinic (telehealth or in-person care) when you're urgently ill and you need to see a healthcare provider quickly. Examples include sports injuries, severe sore throats, rashes, and urinary tract infections.

Flexible: Anytime

When you're not sure what to do, you can use:

  • The 24/7 Nurse Advice Line at 831-459-2591 (free to all students!)
  • LiveHealth Online. See a healthcare provider online from anywhere using your mobile device. Great for minor issues like flu, allergies, headache, and fever.

Emergency: Call 911!

During a life-threatening emergency, don't wait to call for help! Call 911 right away. The Student Health Center cannot provide emergency services. Examples of emergencies include a serious injury, a suicidal person, someone who can't breathe, or an unresponsive person.

Help for People Who Have Experienced Sexual Assault or Dating/Domestic Violence: CARE

A confidential CARE Advocate can help connect you with resources including medical care, mental health care, police (if desired), and other services as needed. Call 831-502-2273 or email care@ucsc.edu.

Mental Health Support: CAPS

Contact CAPS at (831) 459-2628 for help during a mental health crisis or when you need therapy, counseling, psychiatric help, drug and alcohol counseling, etc. You can also contact The Cove and SHOP for support around substance use reduction and recovery. SHOP offers free personal wellness coaching.

Care at Other UC Health Centers

If you're traveling in California, you can get primary care at any UC Student Health Services clinic. Every UC campus has one. However, visit their website first to find out what services are available. 

  • Referral: None needed.
  • Cost: You may need to pay up front and be reimbursed for any services you receive. If you go to another campus, they will treat you as if you had their own UC SHIP (excluding UC Berkeley). Please check with each UC’s health insurance office if you have questions.
  • Get Started: See the list of UC Student Health Centers in the Campus Links section here. Contact them to make an appointment.

Self-Help Info: Take Charge of Your Health!

Visit the Health Center's Common Reasons for Seeking Care, the CAPS Self-Help Library, SHOP, and CARE when you need information about taking care of yourself of you want to learn about a health concern. For example, treating a common cold, help with sleep issues, dealing with a stressful day, contraception questions, or how to help a survivor of sexual assault.