On this page: Student Health Insurance Plan • Campus Health Services • Counseling & Psych Services (CAPS) • Transitioning Your Care to the U.S. • After Hours and Emergency Care
Staying healthy is an important part of your success at the University of Arizona. Understanding how health care works in the U.S., using your insurance, and knowing where to go for help will help you take care of both your physical and mental well-being.
Student Health Insurance Plan
Healthcare in the U.S. can be expensive, so having insurance is essential. All international students on non-immigrant visas are required to carry the University of Arizona Student Health Insurance Plan, unless you qualify for an exemption.
You’ll be automatically enrolled and billed within three business days of registering for classes each fall and spring semester. The plan is underwritten by UnitedHealthcare Student Resources (UHCSR) and provides nationwide coverage, with emergency benefits worldwide. Campus Health is your assigned primary care provider.
- Fall coverage begins August 16th.
- Spring coverage begins January 1st.
If you plan to arrive in the U.S. before your coverage starts, you can purchase an Early Arrival Plan through Campus Health.
The Student Health Insurance Plan covers general medicine, women’s health, mental health, prescriptions, and emergency care. The plan does not include dental or vision coverage, but optional add-on programs are available to reduce those costs.
You can find detailed coverage information and enrollment options for dental and vision care on the Campus Health website.
Your UHCSR insurance ID card can be printed one week prior to the effective date of coverage, in most cases. Visit www.uhcsr.com/arizona or download the UHCSR mobile app to establish your member account. If an error message appears, and you verified your enrollment through UAccess, try again in 3-5 days. ID cards will not be mailed unless requested through your UHCSR "My Account". You may also request a card by calling UHCSR Customer Service at 1-866-654-7445.
When you need medical care, make sure you have a copy of your insurance ID card.
At your appointment, you’ll be asked to provide your insurance provider (UnitedHealthcare), group ID, and policy number, which can all be found on your card.
You will likely pay a co-pay at the time of your visit – this is a fixed amount you pay toward the cost of services. Co-pays vary depending on the type of appointment but are typically less than $100.
You can find co-pay amounts for most services in the Summary of Benefits and Coverage on the Campus Health Insurance Plan page.
Explore the resources below to better understand your health insurance coverage and learn how to use your insurance:
TIP: If you receive a large or unexpected medical bill, or have questions about what your insurance covers, contact the Campus Health Insurance Office. They can help you understand the Student Health Insurance Plan, explain charges, and guide you through next steps for appeals or payment options.
Campus Health Services
Campus Health provides quality, compassionate, and patient-centered care for the campus community. Located on campus, it accepts your Student Health Insurance Plan and offers a wide range of services, including routine care, urgent care, and specialty clinics. Campus Health is open Monday through Friday during regular business hours.
If you need medical care, it’s best to schedule an appointment in advance. For urgent needs, you can visit Campus Health’s Urgent Care Clinic during business hours.
If a medical provider determines that you need a service off campus, they can give you a referral. A referral is a recommendation by a healthcare professional for specialized care.
View all services offered at Campus Health.
TIP: Need quick, reliable medical guidance? Whether it’s cold symptoms, a bee sting, or any other concern, call 520-621-6493 or send a secure message via PatientLink during business hours to speak with a registered nurse.
Counseling & Psych Services (CAPS)
CAPS provides in-person and virtual mental health services for students and mental health-promoting programs for the campus community. They offer counseling, workshops, peer groups, crisis support, and short-term psychiatry. They can also connect students with long-term community resources.
Drop-in services are available Monday–Friday, 8:00-4:30 pm at both CAPS clinic locations.
CAPS charges a fee for counseling, but many of their other services are free.
For Additional Support:
Transitioning Your Care to the U.S.
If you take prescription medication or receive regular medical or mental health care, plan ahead before coming to the U.S. Ask your doctor or therapist for a summary of your medical history and prescriptions (including generic names) in English. Some medications may not be available or may have different names here, so check in advance and bring enough for your first few months. Keep medicines in their original containers and review U.S. Customs and Border Protection guidance on traveling with medication.
After arrival, contact Campus Health for prescription refills, referrals, or ongoing care. You can also connect with CAPS or an off-campus provider for continued counseling support.
After Hours and Emergency Care
If you can’t visit Campus Health or are facing a life-threatening emergency, there are other options for receiving care.
In the event of a life-threatening emergency, you should call 911 or go directly to the nearest emergency room. Ambulance costs may be partially covered by insurance, depending on the medical necessity of the transport. ER wait times vary based on patient volume and the severity of your condition.
For urgent but not life-threatening situations, you can visit an urgent care facility off campus. Some pharmacies like CVS and Walgreens also have clinics where they provide care for minor illnesses and injuries, health screenings and vaccinations.
If you’re not sure what to do and need guidance on an urgent but not life-threatening situation, you can call the free Campus Health Medical After-Hours Line to talk through your options with medical staff.