Madison Friends of International Students

HEALTH CARE

All registered students can use the University Health Services (UHS), http://www.uhs.wisc.edu/, located at 1552 University Ave. Call 265-5600 to schedule an appointment. The clinic is open from 8 am to 4:30 pm, Monday through Friday. There is no fee; students pay only for medication. Student's family members cannot use the clinic.

If you and your family members have an insurance plan other than SHIP (Student Health Insurance Plan), you can also go to a clinic that is part of your HMO (Health Maintenance Organization). If you have HMO coverage, you will have to select a primary care physician from among those associated with this HMO. For those with non HMO insurance, several hundred Doctors of Medicine and their specialties are listed in the Yellow Pages of the telephone book under "Physicians" and "Surgeons." You may ask a friend to recommend one of these. Students may also ask for a referral at the Student Health Service, or call the Dane County Medical Society (283 5412) for suggestions.

Health clinics at Eagle Heights: A public health nurse visits regularly; there is a regular immunization clinic and also classes on breast feeding and infant care. Check with the Eagle Heights Community Center.

For children and adults residing in Madison, free immunizations are provided against polio, diphtheria, whooping cough, tetanus, measles, rubella and mumps. Immunization clinics are held at the Eagle Heights Community Center (see above). Children must be immunized before they can be enrolled in school or day care. For more information contact MADISON PUBLIC HEALTH DEPARTMENT (266 4821).

Billing and Payment: the HMO will send you a bill for any services that are not covered by your insurance plan. You are expected to pay the bill when you receive it, unless you arrange a payment plan with the HMO or care provider.

In case of medical emergencies call University Health Service (UHS) first at 265-5600. For after hours emergencies, call 265-6565. If UHS is closed, call the emergency room associated with your HMO/ insurance. A physician is on duty 24 hours daily, seven days a week. Give the following information: your name, name and location of the injured or sick person, the injury or symptom. Ask for instructions. If you need an ambulance, call 911. (If calling from a campus phone, dial 9 911.)

Madison Hospitals Emergency Numbers: Be sure to contact the emergency room associated with your HMO, if you join one. Otherwise your insurance may not cover treatment you receive.

• Meriter, 202 S Park St., 267 6252, http://www.meriter.com/
• St Mary's, 707 A Mills St, 258 6800
• University, 600 Highland Ave, 262 2398
• Poison Center, 600 Highland Ave, 262 3702

>> See also HEALTH CARE - STRESS, CULTURE SHOCK ETC.

If you have HMO coverage, ask your primary care physician to refer you to a specialist in Gynecology and Obstetrics or Family Medicine. For those without HMO coverage, doctors who provide maternity care are listed in the Yellow Pages under Physicians and Surgeons Family Practice, Obstetrics and Gynecology.

You should discuss hospital expenses with your doctor or a hospital social worker and also the doctor's fees, which usually include prenatal care and the baby's delivery. It costs $2,000 $3,000 to have a baby in Madison if there are no complications. Some health insurance policies will not cover a pregnancy that began before the date insurance coverage began. Be sure you understand the maternity care coverage of your insurance policy.

Childbirth and infant classes:

• Madison Area Technical College, 258 2300
• Lamaze Association of Dane County, 824-4400
• St. Mary's Hospital, 251 6100
• Madison Community Health Center (free classes), 261-9270
• Childbirth and Parent Education Association (at the Eagle Heights Community Center).

For those couples wishing to space their children, information on family planning may be obtained from a medical doctor or you may call Planned Parenthood, 256 7257 or 261-9256.

The University does not provide dental care. Check to see what your insurance will cover, and use the dentists associated with your HMO, if you have HMO coverage. Otherwise, ask a friend to recommend a dentist, or look in the Yellow Pages under "Dentists." Before you have any dental work done, be sure to discuss the expense with the dentist. Many health insurance plans do not cover dental expenses.

Madison Area Technical College offers teeth cleaning, fluoridation and X rays for a small fee. Services are performed by student trainees. Call 258 2400 for an appointment.

The City Health Department Children's Clinic provides complete dental care free for eligible children ages 3 to 18, from September through May. Call 294-5270 for more information.

Students are often under considerable pressure. The UW Counseling and Consultation Center, 905 University Avenue, http://www.uhs.wisc.edu/ex/counseling/, offers a variety of support groups and workshops to help students improve their study skills, prepare for exams or reduce test anxiety. The Center also supports groups for international students on how to cope with "culture shock." Individual counseling is also available. For more information, call 262-1744.

Occasionally, stress and anxiety can reach a critical or emergency state. If you or a friend are experiencing a crisis, contact one of the following

• University Counseling and Consultation Center
  905 University Ave., Room 401
  8:00 am - 4:30 pm
  262-1744, after hours: 265-6565
• International Student Services
  217 Red Gym, 716 Langdon Street
  M-F, 10;00 am - 4:00 pm
  262-2044
• Dean of Students Office
  109 Bascom Hall
  M-F, 7:45 am - 4:30 pm
  263-5700

If emergency care is needed when the offices listed above are not open, contact the psychiatry department of the clinic or hospital associated with your HMO, or contact:

• Mental Health of Dane County Crisis Line 24 hours daily: 280-2600
• United Way 2-1-1: Dial 2-1-1 (from inside Dane County), 608-246-4357 (from outside Dane County and from cellular phones), 608-246-4360 (TDD/TTY only). United Way 2-1-1 is community resource line, providing 24-hour, 365-day a year, free and confidential information and referral services for people in Dane County who are in need of help or who want to give help. More than 2,400 social service agencies, food pantries, and other organizations are a part of 2-1-1's database.