What to Do When You Get Sick?

Procedures

The most accessible health care for students can be found on Main Campus at UNM Student Health and Counseling (SHAC). SHAC is open Monday through Thursday, 8:00am to 5:30pm, and Friday, 9:00am to 5:00 pm. For more information about SHAC services, visit the SHAC website at https://shac.unm.edu or call 505.277.3136.

Generally, SHAC health practitioners can treat your medical conditions. Please be aware that they only see students- they do not see spouses or children.

If they are unable to treat your condition, they will assist you with referrals to other health facilities, which can provide the care you need.

SHAC office visit fees are much lower than community rates. There are additional fees for lab work, X-rays and other treatments. If your illness requires immediate attention and SHAC is closed, you can:

  1. Contact the doctor on call at Student Health and Counseling by calling 505.277.3136 or the free Nurse Advice NM Hotline at 877-925-6877 to ask if you can wait until SHAC is open to receive care.

  2. Contact a local doctor's office or clinic.  You should try to seek assistance from an “in-network” provider with your insurance plan.  Medical care outside of the preferred provider network will result in higher cost to you. 

  3. If you cannot contact a doctor and the matter cannot wait, you can go to an Urgent Care center.  Urgent Care centers provide medical care to treat non-life threatening illnesses when immediate care is needed. Check to find out which are “in-network” with your insurance company.

  4. If the illness is severe, go to a hospital emergency room (check to find out which are “in-network” with your insurance campany in advance, if you are not so severely sick that you can’t).

  5. Take your medical insurance information with you (including an insurance card if you have one).

  6. Take a picture I.D. with you.

  7. Take someone you know that can help you and speaks your language and English (if possible)

Where to go

Understand your Health Insurance Policy!

  • Be prepared in advance by being familiar with your insurance company's policy on emergencies and hospital treatment.

  • It is important to know what exactly your health insurance plan covers before the need to seek medical treatment arises. Many insurance companies require you to check with them before going to the emergency room of the hospital.

  • Sometimes it might be hard to understand the terminology, which describes your benefits and specific health conditions that are not included in the plan. Please re-visit our guide on Basic Insurance Terminology to help you better comprehend your health insurance policy.

 

If you are ill, and Student Health and Counseling is closed, or if you need care for your spouse or children, you may try the following health care providers for an appointment or emergency care.

 

If You Have a UNM Assistantship

UNM Adult Urgent Care ClinicUNM Hospital Emergency Rooms
Phone: (505) 272-9646Phone: (505) 272-2111

Location:UNM Hospital 1st floor

Address: 2211 Lomas Blvd NE

Location: UNM Hospital

Address: 2211 Lomas Blvd NE

 

If You Have ISI Insurance

Duke City Urgent CarePresbyterian Hospital Emergency Rooms
Phone: (505) 814-1995
Phone: (505) 841-1234

Address: 3500 Constitution Ave NE

Address: 1100 Central Ave SE