Who provides primary care?

• Doctors trained in family practice, internal medicine, pediatricians, and gynecology.
• Nurse practitioners trained in family practice or internal medicine.
• Physician assistants trained in family practice, emergency medicine or internal medicine.
• Our Blue and Gold Care teams consist of Primary Care providers, medical assistants, license vocational nurses, clinical coordinators, and registered nurses.

Why is primary care important?

• Primary care provides a patient with a healthcare home base.
• It allows a patient to develop a long-term relationship with their provider.
• It helps patients make better decisions about their health. 

Online Scheduling for a Primary Care Appointment in the Patient Portal (My Student Chart)

How it works:

• All patients at the SHC will be assigned to a Primary Care Provider and a Care Team.
• Primary Care visits will become available on the Patient Portal in a 30-day rolling window.
  • These are appointments with your assigned PCP for your personalized health concerns.
  • You may choose to be seen in-person or by telehealth visit
• Same day visits in primary care will become available on the Patient Portal 24 hours on the prior day.
  • These are appointments with our same day provider team for acute care services or injuries.
  • You may choose to be seen in-person or by telehealth visit.
• Cold and Flu Fast track offers quick access to testing and care with our same day care team.

Online Health Clearance Requests (aka Administrative Clearances): If you require a health clearance for Bio 199, PH 194/196, School of Nursing, UCI Childcare, UCI Volunteer or for another reason, you may submit a request online through the My Student Chart. Click on “Messages” on the left navigation bar and follow the prompts to compose and send a secure message to SHC for “Health Clearance Request”. For School of Nursing, send the secure message to “Health Clearance Request – School of Nursing”. You will receive a response from the Health Clearance Nurse within 3-5 business days.

Important Note: An administrative clearance exam is typically requested by the student to fulfill certain mandates. These may include various University requirements (e.g., academic, participation in Club Sports or NCAA-sanctioned athletics, etc…), travel-related requirements or employment requirements. Administrative clearance services such as exams and related testing are not benefits of UC SHIP. Students, regardless of insurance coverage, will be billed directly for these services unless the UCI department that is mandating the clearance has agreed to pay SHC for the costs of services. In these cases, the student must present a recharge form at the time of the appointment signed by an authorized department official in order for the Health Clearance Nurse to review medical records and/or other documentation and complete forms that are necessary to complete the clearance process. If a health clearance is required from more than one campus department/organization, then a fee will be charged per each entity. Fees for health clearance requests and other services can be found at Fees for Common Services.

Visit SHC’s TB Screening and Immunization Requirements page for detailed information and instructions regarding UC’s Immunizations and TB Screening policy.

Check the CDC website for Vaccine Information Statements. 

EAP/Study Abroad Requests: If you will be studying abroad with a UC Education Abroad Program (UC EAP) or with an outside study abroad agency, you can submit a request through the My Student Chart for clearance through the UCI Student Health Center. From the portal, start by selecting “Message” from the main menu then “New Message”. In the next window, select “I would like to send a CLINICAL secure message to the Student Health Center”. You will select “Clearances” then EAP Travel Clearance. Complete the requested information and submit. Allow 3-5 business days for a response. If you do not have Student Health Insurance (SHIP), you may choose to have your forms completed by your Primary Care Provider.

TB testing is required for incoming students who are at moderate risk for tuberculosis. Complete the “TB Screen – Risk Form” found on the My Student Chart under “Medical Clearances” on the left navigation bar. This questionnaire includes five (5) questions that will determine your risk for tuberculosis. You will be required to complete TB testing if, after answering the five questions,  “Tuberculosis Testing” appears on your “Medical Clearances” page on the portal. The Student Health Center offers TB testing that will meet your UC requirement.

• TB skin test (TST): commonly referred to as PPD (Purified Protein Derivative). This requires 2 visits-one for the administration of the skin test and another visit after 48-72 hours to read the test result. Call (949) 824-5304 to schedule an appointment at SHC. TB skin testing cannot be scheduled online.
• TB blood tests: common types are T-SPOT and QUANTIFERON GOLD. You may request a testing appointment online through the My Student Chart. Click on “Appointments” on the left navigation bar and follow the prompts to schedule your appointment at SHC.
• You may select the option: Self-Order Tuberculosis (TB) blood test. This type of TB test requires only one visit for the blood draw.

Visit SHC’s TB Screening and Immunization Requirements page for detailed information and instructions regarding UC’s Immunizations and TB Screening policy.

If you are planning to travel outside the United States, either on your own or as part of a University-sponsored program (e.g., EAP), you will need to be informed of the required and recommended immunizations and prevention tips to avoid illnesses experienced by travelers. Depending upon your country of destination, the immunizations that are necessary differ considerably. For specific country requirements and recommendations, please visit the CDC website.

Personal Travel: If you are travelling for pleasure/vacation or personal reasons, schedule a Nurse Travel Visit by calling SHC’s appointment line at (949) 824-5304.  This type of appointment cannot be scheduled online.

EAP/Study Abroad: If you will be studying abroad with UC Education Abroad Program (UC EAP) or with an outside study abroad agency, you can submit a health clearance request to UCI Student Health Center through the My Student Chart. From the portal:

• Start by selecting “Messages” from the main menu;
• Select “New Message”;
• In the next window, select “I would like to send a CLINICAL secure message to the Student Health Center”.
• Select “Clearances” and then “EAP Travel Clearance”.
• Complete the requested information and submit. Allow 3-5 business days for a response. If you are not covered by the UC Student Health Insurance Plan (UC SHIP), then you may choose to have your forms completed by your Primary Care Provider.

If you have health concerns and need your questions answered right away, after clinic hours or while you are off-campus, call the Student Health Center’s After Hours Nurse Advice Line. A nurse is available 24/7 to answer your questions.

• (949) 824-3870

Online Health Clearance Requests (aka Administrative Clearances): If you require a health clearance for Bio 199, PH 194/196, School of Nursing, UCI Childcare, UCI Volunteer or for another reason, you may submit a request online through the My Student Chart. Click on “Messages” on the left navigation bar and follow the prompts to compose and send a secure message to SHC for “Health Clearance Request”. For School of Nursing, send the secure message to “Health Clearance Request – School of Nursing”. You will receive a response from the Health Clearance Nurse within 3-5 business days.

Important Note: An administrative clearance exam is typically requested by the student to fulfill certain mandates. These may include various University requirements (e.g., academic, participation in Club Sports or NCAA-sanctioned athletics, etc…), travel-related requirements or employment requirements. Administrative clearance services such as exams and related testing are not benefits of UC SHIP. Students, regardless of insurance coverage, will be billed directly for these services unless the UCI department that is mandating the clearance has agreed to pay SHC for the costs of services. In these cases, the student must present a recharge form at the time of the appointment signed by an authorized department official in order for the Health Clearance Nurse to review medical records and/or other documentation and complete forms that are necessary to complete the clearance process. If a health clearance is required from more than one campus department/organization, then a fee will be charged per each entity. Fees for health clearance requests and other services can be found at Fees for Common Services.

Visit SHC’s TB Screening and Immunization Requirements page for detailed information and instructions regarding UC’s Immunizations and TB Screening policy.

Check the CDC website for Vaccine Information Statements for more information.

EAP/Study Abroad Requests: If you will be studying abroad with a UC Education Abroad Program (UC EAP) or with an outside study abroad agency, you can submit a request through the My Student Chart for clearance through the UCI Student Health Center. From the portal, start by selecting “Message” from the main menu then “New Message”. In the next window, select “I would like to send a CLINICAL secure message to the Student Health Center”. You will select “Clearances” then EAP Travel Clearance. Complete the requested information and submit. Allow 3-5 business days for a response. If you do not have Student Health Insurance (SHIP), you may choose to have your forms completed by your Primary Care Provider.

UCI Student Health Center now offers online “Self-Directed” Basic Testing for STI’s (sexually transmitted infections). An appointment with a SHC provider is not required prior to requesting the STI testing. However, depending upon the results of the testing, an appointment with a SHC provider may be necessary to discuss results and treatment options.

Please read the information on this webpage carefully. Please log in to the My Student Chart and follow the prompts to Schedule an appointment for Lab services.

• • Is self-directed STI testing right for you? Be informed and take a moment to review the process and the information below.
  • This program allows you to order tests online for some of the most common sexually transmitted infections without an appointment. It is intended for screening only and should not be used if you have symptoms.
  • You may be requesting testing too soon if you have had a new partner recently. HIV antibody results take up to 4 weeks to become accurate; gonorrhea/chlamydia 1-2 weeks, and syphilis 4 weeks. If you are unsure, you can schedule an appointment with a clinician to determine which tests are right for you.
  • This screening will not test for all STIs and may not be adequate depending upon your sexual practices.  To assess your risk, we recommend using a risk tool such as STD Wizard to find out what you should be tested for based upon your sexual practices. Also, you may first want to schedule an appointment with one of our clinicians to discuss your needs.
  • The Student Health Center is required by law to report the diagnoses of Syphilis, Chlamydia, Gonorrhea, and HIV to the communicable Disease Office of the Orange County Health Care Agency. 

Our partners at UCI Health offer a telemedicine option, UCI Health OnCall, which gives you convenient access to a board-certified U.S. primary care physician 24 hours a day, 7 days a week by telephone, video or mobile app. You can talk to a doctor at any time, from wherever you are. Their licensed OnCall providers can treat an array of medical conditions, and can send prescriptions to your local pharmacy at an affordable cost. The cost of a virtual visit through UCI Health OnCall is $39.00 and you can pay for your visit at the time of service using your debit or credit card.

If you are enrolled in UC SHIP and utilize this service, then you will need to pay at the time of service and then submit a claim for reimbursement to UC SHIP/Anthem.

For detailed information including FAQs, please visit UCI Health OnCall – Virtual Visits.

The Student Health Center provides several options for contraceptive management. Since there are many factors to consider when making this important decision, your SHC provider is available to assist you in determining the safest and most appropriate method based upon your individual needs and preferences.

Important notice for students who have never seen a provider at SHC for Birth Control

Obtaining birth control pills and NuvaRing is an option you can choose by completing a comprehensive online questionnaire through the Student Health Patient Portal. However, in the best interest of your healthcare, we highly recommend that you first be seen by one of our providers. In addition to an individualized discussion about birth control, you will also be provided with options including but not limited to:

• Screening for sexually transmitted infections
• Obtaining additional preventive care counseling
• Receiving the vaccine for preventing various types of cancer including cervical, vulvar, vaginal, oropharyngeal (back of the throat, base of the tongue and tonsils) and anal
• Choosing to have a physical exam

If you are not able to be seen by a provider as quickly as you prefer, you may start by completing the comprehensive online questionnaire to obtain your birth control pills. If you have any questions, or feel you would like more information, you always have the option to schedule an appointment with a provider. In addition, if you are unsure about your preferred birth control method, or you want something other than birth control pills or NuvaRing, you may schedule an appointment to see a provider for contraceptive counseling.

Directions to Access the Online Birth Control Questionnaire

Log into My Student Chart, select Schedule an Appointment for ASYNCare Birth Control Request.

Insurance Coverage and Costs for Online Birth Control

For students with UC Student Health Insurance Plan (UC SHIP)

• Generally, these services can be covered at 100%, based on the diagnosis. No copay applies for medical review of the contraception questionnaire submitted online. Generally, associated lab tests can also be covered, if ordered by the provider based upon the review of the questionnaire.
  • Note: Generally, copays do not apply to contraceptives. However, if a patient prefers and requests a Brand Name contraceptive when a generic is available, then a pharmacy copay will apply. Please refer to the UC SHIP Summary of Benefits brochure or plan booklet.
• UC SHIP will cover up to a 180 day supply of oral contraceptives regardless of where the prescription is filled (SHC Pharmacy or retail pharmacy).

For non-SHIP students (students who have insurance other than UC SHIP)

• Student will be billed (Fee-for-Service) the fees shown below for medical review of the contraception questionnaire that is submitted online. However, you can submit a claim to your own insurance carrier for potential reimbursement.

Please visit the Fees for Common Services page for the most updated pricing information.

Requests for new prescriptions or refills of existing prescriptions may be submitted online via the My Student Chart. See step-by-step instructions below.

Prescriptions are typically ready within 24 hours following submittal of the request for in-person pickup unless the medication is not in stock and needs to be ordered. In certain instances, the SHC pharmacist will contact you by secure message regarding your refill request (e.g., if no more refills are available; if the prescription has expired; if SHC Pharmacy needs the fax # for a non-SHC provider; or if there is no medication on file).

Medication Delivery by Mail:

For students who are using Student Health Center Pharmacy for their medications but will be out of the area and/or “distance-learning” during the Summer and upcoming Fall term, please consider the following:

• UCI Student Health Center Pharmacy now offers medication delivery by mail! Unfortunately, we can only deliver to addresses within the state of California.
• To utilize this service for new prescriptions and/or medication refills, please communicate with our pharmacy via our Online Prescription Request page to request a non-urgent new prescription or additional medication supply. Please allow up to three business days for the pharmacy to prepare and mail your prescriptions.  Please note that we will do our best to assist you with your request. However, refills that require a provider’s authorization will still apply and may take longer.
• If you have internet access issues and cannot request a new medication or refill online, please contact the SHC Pharmacy at (949) 824-5923 and leave a voice message. Please provide the following information:
  • • Your name, date of birth, and student ID.
    • Prescription Number (for refills) and/or name of medication.
    • Indicate if you would like the medication(s) delivered by mail and, if so, please provide your current shipping address and telephone number.
    • Additional comments, if any.
    • The pharmacy staff will advise you regarding the amount of medication that can be dispensed based upon the current, active prescription on file and UC SHIP pharmacy benefits.
    • To access the Online Prescription Request page, please follow the instructions below if you are not familiar with the process.
    1. 1. Click here: “My Student Chart”
       2. Login using your UCINetID.
       3. Click on “Pharmacy” just below the “Student Health Quick Links” header on the portal homepage.
       4. Click on “New Message”.
       5. Click on “I would like to send a secure message to the Student Health Center”.
       6. Click “New Prescription or Refill Request”.
       7. Before proceeding, it is very important that you indicate that you wish to have the medication(s) delivered by mail and you must also include your current shipping address and telephone number.
       8. Continue to fill in appropriate text boxes as accurately and completely as possible. Your Rx-number is located on your prescription label on the medication bottle in the yellow bar right above your name.
       9. If you are unsure, please add a comment under the “Comment” section.
       10. Click “send”.
    • Please note that certain types of medications do not qualify for this mode of delivery per DEA and State Pharmacy regulations (i.e., controlled substances). An in-person pickup from a pharmacy is still required for these medications.
    • If you are living on, near or within close proximity to campus, there should be no change for you. Our UCI SHC Pharmacy will continue to operate under normal business hours contingent upon directives and guidance from the University. For the most up-to-date information, please visit our website regularly.