Hall Health is open and seeing patients who are current UW students, in person and via telemedicine. Call 206-685-1011 to make an appointment before coming in.
Medical and Mental Health Services Are Available
Medical and mental health services are available to students during the coronavirus outbreak. Most services are now available by phone or a secure video-conferencing platform. Under the Governor’s order, an in-person appointment with a health care provider is considered an essential activity for which it is okay to leave your home.
Call to make an appointment before you come in. Be sure to wear a mask to your in-person appointment. If you arrive without a mask, you will be asked to put one on before entering the clinic.
This page focuses on student health services offered by the Counseling Center and Hall Health. Find general coronavirus information for UW students, faculty and staff here.
What To Do If...
Husky Coronavirus Testing Program
UW Coronavirus FAQ
Washington Department of Health Resources
Frequently asked questions
What is Hall Health’s coronavirus testing policy?
Hall Health offers coronavirus-related care to students, staff, alumni and the greater UW community.
If you have questions or concerns about coronavirus, please call us at 206-616-2495. We will ask you about your symptoms, living situation, and job (if any) to help determine whether you need to be tested and where that testing might occur. We will determine whether you need to visit the clinic in-person, talk with a nurse by phone or schedule a video visit.
Please do not come to Hall Health without calling first.
Nasal swab vs. antibody test
COVID-19 testing is available at a health care provider’s discretion, based on state and federal guidelines. Testing is limited, and not everyone needs to be tested.
There are two types of tests available through Hall Health:
- A swab of the nasal cavity, known as a PCR. This test looks for coronavirus genetic material and checks to see whether someone has a current infection. In most cases, our providers order this test for people who have symptoms. If you are currently having symptoms, please call us at 206.685.1011 to schedule a video or phone visit. If your provider feels it is needed, they will arrange for testing at our clinic or a convenient drive-through testing site, depending on your needs.
- Antibody test, a blood draw. This test looks for antibodies to coronavirus, which your immune system produces in response to infection. It usually takes 1-2 weeks for your body to produce these antibodies after you get sick. The test is not done until at least two weeks after you have recovered from fever or other symptoms. If you believe you may have had a COVID–19 infection from which you have recovered, please call 206.685.1011 to schedule a video or phone visit. If your provider feels it is needed, they will order an antibody test for you. You can then visit a UW Medicine lab for the blood draw. Hall Health has an on-site lab.
Who should be tested
Hall Health follows guidelines that change over time to adapt to the outbreak. The following populations should always seek medical care and possibly testing:
- People who have COVID-like symptoms, such as cough, fatigue and high fever
- Students and others who are living in close quarters with others, as in a residence hall or in Greek housing, when there is a confirmed case of COVID in their household
- Essential workers, including people who work in health care
Depending on the availability of testing resources and medical personnel, testing for people who don’t have symptoms may be limited. Current UW Seattle students can always consult with our nurses to determine whether they should be tested by calling 206.221.2517.
Urgent needs unrelated to coronavirus
Campus health service providers continue to provide urgent medical and mental health care. Many services are now provided by phone or video conference (see How does telemedicine work?). For medical care, please remember to call first.
- For urgent medical needs, call Hall Health at 206-616-2495. After hours, call the 24/7 Community Care Line at 206-744-2500 for medical advice.
- For urgent mental health needs, call the Counseling Center at 206-543-1240 or Hall Health Mental Health at 206.543.5030.
Under the Governor’s order, an in-person appointment with a health care provider is considered an essential activity for which it is okay to leave your home.
Non-urgent health care needs
Most health care providers, including the Counseling Center and Hall Health, are providing most services by phone or video.
- Schedule an appointment for a virtual or phone mental health support by calling the Counseling Center at 206.543.1240 or Hall Health Mental Health at 206.543.5030
- Schedule a phone or video visit with a medical provider by calling Hall Health at 206.685.1011
Insurance coverage of coronavirus-related care
Students with US health insurance plans have full coverage of all coronavirus-related care, including testing, as long as they visit a contracted health care provider.
Requests for “certificates of health” for travel and other evidence that you do not have coronavirus
People who are traveling may be asked to provide a “certificate of health” prior to their departure. Depending on the availability of testing resources and medical personnel, COVID testing for people without symptoms may be limited to ensure that those who have symptoms can be seen for care. State and county guidelines for testing change frequently as the pandemic ebbs and flows. To find out if you can get pre-travel testing at Hall Health, call us at 206.685.1011.
How does telemedicine work?
Depending on your needs, you may be scheduled for a video visit, in which you will talk with your health care provider through your phone or computer. This is called telemedicine. If you do not have a computer or phone with a camera/webcam, we can arrange for a phone call instead.
When scheduling your appointment, our staff will talk to you about these options and help you determine whether in-person, phone, or Zoom is best. They will then send you instructions via email. If you are scheduled for a Zoom appointment, log in to eCare to get started with your appointment.
Make sure you are in a quiet, private space at the time of your appointment. Launch Zoom at least 10-15 minutes before your appointment time just in case you have any trouble. Your provider will join the videoconference and you will be able to see and hear them on your computer.
What kind of mask can I wear to my appointment?
Please put on a surgical or cloth mask before leaving your home to come to Hall Health or any other health care facility. Masks with vents and valves do not protect people around you from COVID; if you arrive with such a mask, you will be asked to switch to a surgical mask. If you arrive without a mask, you will be asked to put one on.
