University Health Services

This review is only for their Allergy, Immunization and Travel Clinic — I find myself coming here every 6 months or so to get my immunization shots and have never had a problem with getting an appointment, finding street parking, or getting in and out in under 15 minutes. While it’s a little annoying that there are no walk-​in appointments, all you have to do is call (734) 764‑8320 to schedule yourself the next available appointment, which is usually the next day. Having a formal appointment time really speeds up the wait, which in addition to all the nice staff make for a pretty good experience. A plus is that the lab and medical records office are both right upstairs, which makes for a quick get away. The only thing is that I wish they would stop asking me to update my contact information every time I call to make an appointment…

Even if you are the first patient and show up literally first right when doors open, you will still not be seen by the actual Doctor till 8:45−9. Oh, and you will have to repeat what’s going on to about 4 different personnel before making progress.

My experience has been fine with UHS. This wouldn’t be my go to place for primary care, but since it’s a short walk away it’s a great option for students.
The prices of treatment and perspcriptions are even with other providers, some are higher and some are lower but it’s pretty much the same. Better to spend a few more bucks for the convenience.
The travel clinic is similar to any other ones you’d find in a major city or doctor’s office. They do make you watch about 30 minutes worth of videos with repeats what they just went over. Docking a star because that was a waste of time.
Overall if you’re a student they’re a well organized and fully resourced option consistent with what I’d expect for a major university.

The receptionists are very busy so they are not very friendly, but the nurses and doctors are very helpful! They’re the ones who care. They gave me orange juice and a prescription that definitely helped me get better! Tip: go when you have a fever and they will take you seriously

Possibly the worst health care I have ever received over my 4 years at Umich.
1.The staff is often short and rude.
2. I have had trouble reaching anyone for long periods of time and was on hold until I was hung up on multiple times.
3. I was prescribed medications I was severely allergic to even though they told me it was related to a medicine that they already knew I was allergic.
4. They failed to send out my prescription multiple times and was without my prescription for a long period of time
5. They blamed an error in there scheduling system on me, so I had to wait another extra week to receive care.

Staff alone [the receptionists] ruin the experience. Besides eliminating walk-​ins for ill students, they consistently despise their job. They bark orders instead of being helpful. Upon checking in, someone asked «you still live here right?» in a monotone, while pointing to my old address on campus. I said no and she threw a tantrum. «What? You… moved???»
Even besides the fact that students typically change residences each year, her general demeanor was enough to discourage anyone from staying in the waiting room too long. Everyone in the waiting room looked miserable and I suspect it was not only because they were ill.
It is the same treatment in the pharmacy.
The actual doctors I have seen were fine, they were both friendly and helpful. They are the only reason this place gets 2 stars.

UHS has pretty terrible health care services across the board, particularly with regards to the nurses (poorly trained overall and they tend to do sloppy work). There’s variation in the quality of MDs. The place itself is also quite dirty, which is a little disconcerting considering that it’s a medical facility (and slightly amusing because UofM prides itself on being at the top in everything). Positives include the ability to access a number of services under the same roof, and it’s a convenient place for flu vaccines and other mundane, routine health services. Also, the eye clinic has a nice selection of glasses (cute brands, up to date styles, etc.). All of that said, if you have access to other (better) health care providers, I would recommend choosing them over UHS.

Nice facilities and the nurses were kind to me and helped me out. It does get busy there so I’d recommend bringing a book or an MP3 player for the wait. Even so, things move rather quickly so if you’re patient it’s not bothersome.
You can make an appointment by phone and if you need urgent care they offer that through walk-​in triage service. They also have a very helpful after-​hours nurses’ line you can call to be diagnosed.
I am an alumnus without health insurance and the staff was very helpful and knew what to do. The nurses I had the pleasure of interacting with were friendly and caring, which is exactly what you want when you’re sick! Five-​star bedside manner for the UHS.

UHS no longer offers the walk-​in service because patients complained about the long wait times – SO THEY GOT RID OF IT COMPLETELY! I’m guessing this is just a cover-​up for budget cuts, because that is the worst response ever. They really couldn’t think of a way to make the walk-​in service more efficient?

Yeah, if you have the option to go elsewhere I would do so. As other reviewers have said, the staff can be super rude. Last time I went there, my nurse practitioner told me that I looked old to be coming to UHS and that I had weirdly broad shoulders for a girl. Lady, I’m already wearing a gown and in a vulnerable position, and you’re going to criticize my body parts? Really?

I’ve only been to UHS once, but I am not sure I would go back. I guess I am an exception because I was very afraid of needles, and this was not a good place to go for a blood draw. You are not seen in a timely manner. There is a lot of commotion and chaos going on. It’s not a fun place to be.

I’d give this two stars, except that U of Michigan affiliates have the option of also using their insurance at the far superior Taubman Center at the hospital just a short walk away. When better service is so easily available, then UHS is clearly a «methinks not.»
The worst experience I had: I needed physical therapy for my knee at one point, and the physician at UHS insisted I use the UHS facility instead of one of the university’s dedicated rehab centers. The UHS facility has no weight or cardio machines, just exercise balls and thera-​bands. It took a second opinion from a non-​UHS doctor to get the referral to the rehab center, where I worked for almost 3 months to get my knee back to normal shape. Both my doctor and my physical therapist agreed that the bare-​bones facilities at UHS would not have had the equipment I needed to rehab the knee.
I actually went to UHS immediately when I injured the knee. I’ve had knee problems since I was a teen and knew right away that the situation was not good. I was not able to walk without a limp and significant pain. The PA I saw gave me a cursory physical examination and told me to take Advil for a few days and come back if it didn’t get better. It was incredibly disrespectful of my assessment of my own pain and body. This is why I initially sought my second opinion, which later came in handy to gain access to the rehab center.
I’ve had some ok experiences here too, but why bother with inconsistent quality of care when a truly excellent facility less than 1 mile away accepts the same insurance?
I would also recommend not using UHS’ in-​house pharmacy. They do a fine job in terms of filling the script, but there is almost always a long wait for pick up.

I don’t understand why this place has such a mixed reputation. I’ve been a student here for 6 years now (undergrad and grad) and this place has been excellent. Just call ahead for an appointment if you can.
Here’s the trick, be nice to them and they will be nice to you as well. I’ve seen too many students waltz in the building, acting as if they were the only ones with an ailment. Talking to friends at other colleges, I don’t think we are fully aware of how lucky we are to have UHS.

I guess I’m not sure if non-​University affiliated people can go here, but since the UM community is so large I suppose I’ll review it. If you have private insurance, go elsewhere. UHS sucks. I’m frequently sick, and a poor student, so this is my only choice unfortunately. Last time I went in, I literally spent 4 minutes in the doctor’s office before I was rushed out. They don’t seem to care about their patients. They also don’t seem to know what they’re doing sometimes. Once they told me they couldn’t give me antibiotics for my severe sore throat because it MIGHT be mono. I ended up in the emergency room because I couldn’t swallow, and the ER doctor said «you definitely need antibiotics and obviously don’t have mono», and I started recovering within 24 hours. They’re frequently rude here, especially the desk staff. Wait times are hours long if you don’t have an appointment, and for some reason they’ll only sometimes let you schedule an appointment. It’s difficult.

It’s hit or miss with the people who work here. When I had bronchitis I was put on some breathing technique crap that didn’t work for me, but my friend who caught it from me got the right stuff.
Another time, they messed up the dosage on my prescription medication which put me in the hospital.
One year for my pelvic I got a doctor who was a JERK, and made me wish I had given preference for a female doctor.
However, birth control is super-​cheap here. Plus, I’ve also gotten care from some gems. The other upside is convenience. If you are a student, it is such easy access and very affordable, so it’s hard not to take advantage of it.