Student Health Center

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

The 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 SHC User Fee is automatically included in the general "fees" billed to enrolled UWL students with ≥1 credits 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, radiographs (aka x-rays), minor procedures (e.g. wart removal), equipment/supplies (e.g. crutches, splints), medications (including contraceptives), and immunization or allergy injections. See the Fees & costs page for more detail. Any charges will be billed to the student account.

Scheduling an appointment is the best way to minimize your waiting time. Appointments can be scheduled during office hours in person or over the phone (608-785-8558), or 24/7 via 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 & allergies, and a copy of your insurance card in case we need to refer you to another facility. We recommend keeping a list of your medications & 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 SHC visit, bring these along as well. Consider also finding out if one of the local medical centers (LaCrosse Mayo or Gundersen) is in your insurance company's network in case you need emergency services during your time at UWL. You do NOT need to bring cash to your first appointment unless 1) you are an Amity student OR 2) your appointment is very close to your graduation date. Amity students and near-graduates must pay cash at time of service for some services/equipment.

If we'll be examining your lower back, hip, thigh, knee, lower leg, ankle or foot, please bring or wear a pair of athletic shorts. Women should 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 don't forget anything that may be important to you and your provider. Feel free to ask questions during your visit. It is important to us that all your concerns are addressed.

Health insurance is not required to use the Health Center and the 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 which local medical center--LaCrosse Mayo or Gundersen--is in your insurance company's network in case you need emergency care. Students with US citizenship who are not covered under family policies are encouraged to consult the Marketplace website at www.healthcare.gov for information on health insurance.

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 SHC dispensary (i.e. your medication was given to you at the SHC), & 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 & dosage of the medication, & 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:

1. Take the prescription to your preferred pharmacy. 
2. Present the printed prescription to the pharmacy, along with your INSURANCE CARD
3. 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:

1. 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).
2. Call the pharmacy where you had the prescription filled. You also may be able to fill the prescription through an online account.
3. Follow the prompts & provide the pharmacy with the prescription or RX number that is on the bottle or package.
4. PLEASE NOTE—if you have refills left on your prescription you do NOT need to contact our office for a refill.
5. If you no longer have refills left on your prescription, & the prescription was originally written by a SHC provider, you may request a refill by either asking the pharmacy to send a fax to the SHC, or by pressing the “Refill a Prescription” button on the SHC Home Page & completing the form.                    

The Student Health Center is on the 1st floor of UWL's Health Science Center, which is located at 13th & Badger Streets (UWL campus map). Look for the overhead "Student Health Clinic" banner outside our clinic entrance.

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. Otherwise La Crosse Mayo Clinic & Gundersen Lutheran Medical Center both provide 24-hour walk-in urgent care services. Note: Payment for services at these facilities is your responsibility. The Health Center User Fee does NOT cover these services.  

La Crosse Mayo: 608-785-0940 
700 West Ave S La Crosse, WI 54601 

Gundersen Lutheran: 608-782-7300 
1910 South Ave La Crosse, WI 54601

University Police: 608-789-9999