Top Health Resources for International Students at Cal
Welcome to Tang, International Students!
Maintaining your health and wellbeing is an important part of doing well at UC Berkeley. Our health care system may be very different from what you have experienced in your own country, and may be challenging to understand.
The good news is that you have a wealth of resources here to help!
University Health Services at the Tang Center is here to help you stay well at Cal, and help you get well if you become sick or injured. Physicians, nurse practitioners, nurses, pharmacists, lab and radiology technologists, health educators, and counselors are here to help you take care of yourself and to get well.
| Go Tang! Guide to Getting Started at Tang | Everything you need to know about getting started at the campus health services: how to make an appointment, how much (and how) you pay for services, what's free, important phone numbers, directory of our services, and how to use insurance at Tang. View the online version here.
See our immunizations page for more details about vaccination requirements and recommendations to help you and the campus community stay healthy. |
| UC SHIP - Student Health Insurance Plan | We know health insurance can be difficult to understand, and our staff is here to answer any question: give us a call at (510)642-5700 or ship@uhs.berkeley.edu. Visit our UC SHIP webpages to learn about benefits (medical, counseling, pharmacy, vision and dental), definitions of American healthcare terms, insurance for spouses and/or children, and how to use your insurance plan. View the American Healthcare 101 presentation (PDF) here. The UC SHIP Nurseline telephone nurse advice service is available to all members by phone during all hours, every day at (877)351-3457. |
| Translation services | International students sometimes feel more confident communicating in his or her native language, especially about health or when describing medical terms. Every medical exam room at the Tang Center offers a translation telephone interpreter service; please ask our staff to use this anytime during your office visit. The UC SHIP nurseline also features bilingual nurses and a third-party language line. |
| Counseling | All UC Berkeley students get up to five free counseling sessions every year through Counseling and Pyschological Services (CPS). We offer group, individual and couples counseling to help you with personal, academic, career and health-related issues, as well as urgent help for crisis concerns. Call (510)642-9494 to get started. |
| Advice Nurse | Not sure what to do? Call our Advice Nurse line, staffed by our nurses Monday-Friday during the day: (510) 643-7197. When we are closed, you'll be automatically connected with an after-hours service that can guide you to the closest medical facility if you need care before we reopen. |
| Meet our staff | You can find out more about our medical, counseling and health education staff by viewing our online staff directory. And remember, you can always choose who provides your care here at Tang! |
| Sample fees | The cost of USA health care services can be confusing. View our sample fees list to learn more about the costs of services at the Tang Center, and how much your UC SHIP benefits pay if you are enrolled in the student plan. |
| Emergencies and when we are closed | For life-threatening emergencies, call 911. The nearest hospital emergency room is Alta Bates on 2450 Ashby Avenue in Berkeley. View our online after-hours resources or call our after-hours referral line (Advice Nurse line) to find out more about how to get care when we are closed. |
