Healthcare, Emergency Care & Insurance

All international students at Edgewood College are required to be enrolled in a health insurance policy for the duration of their program. The U.S. Healthcare System functions differently than many other countries, so it is important to understand the policy you are enrolled in and how to maximize benefits. We strongly encourage all international students to utilize these resources to better understand the U.S. system and they best ways to navigate it.

Overview of the US Healthcare System for International Students
This short video is an indispensable guide for any international students looking to study in the USA.

Emergency Situations

If you are faced with an emergency situation such as a fire, an accident that requires immediate medical attention, a crime in progress (robbery, prowler, fight, etc.) or other life threatening situations, call 911.

If the emergency is a medical condition involving uncontrolled bleeding, severe trauma including head injury, loss of consciousness, inability to breathe, or other LIFE THREATENING CONDITIONS, the best place to receive care is a hospital Emergency Room (ER).

If you need to see a doctor right away but the situation is NOT life threatening, consider going to an Urgent or Immediate Care Center.

For both ER and Urgent Care visits, bring your insurance card. Also, note that you will be responsible for paying any part of the bill not covered by insurance.

It’s recommended to program the name and location of your preferred urgent care and hospital ER in your phone so you are prepared in case of emergency. Also, prepare a list of your mediations, current conditions and allergies to bring with you.

For a list of Emergency Rooms and Urgent Care Centers that are part of the WPS Insurance network, see the “How to find a Tier 1 Provider/Facility” section on the WPS Health Insurance page of the CGE website.

Healthcare Facilities

Health Services is located in the Edgewood College Wellness Center on the first floor of Dominican Hall.  Use the Lakeside entrance of Dominican Hall facing Lake Wingra and Siena Apartments.  Edgewood College Health Services is staffed by a certified Nurse Practitioner. The Wellness Center provides many basic health services free of charge to Edgewood students. In a non-emergency situation, you will save time and money by first seeking care in the Wellness Center. The providers in the Wellness Center are also able to help you determine whether you need to see a doctor off campus, and can help you choose one. Any health-related matter that you discuss with a provider in the Wellness Center will be kept confidential.

Examples of what the Edgewood College Health Services can do for you:
• Treat sore throats, fevers, rashes, and any acute problem
• Treat minor illnesses and injuries
• Perform physical exams
• Answer questions about health
• Immunizations
• TB testing
• Prescribe medications
• Refer you to a Hospital or Urgent Care facility, or another clinic if needed

Urgent Care

Urgent Care facilities are located off campus and are available for times when you are experiencing a health-related issue that needs to be taken care of the same day and you are unable to see your primary doctor. Urgent Care facilities have longer open hours than the Edgewood College Wellness Center and other clinics, including night and weekend hours.

For a list of Urgent Care facilities that are part of the WPS Insurance network, see the “How to find a Tier 1 Provider/Facility” section on the WPS Health Insurance page of the CGE website.

Examples of when you should go to an Urgent Care facility:
• Asthma – mild
• Back pain
• Burns – mild
• Coughing
• Cuts, scrapes, bruises
• Ear pain
• Eye irritation
• Fever
• Skin rashes
• Small bone fractures
• Sore throat
• Sprains
• Urinary burning

Emergency Room (ER)

Emergency Rooms are located within a hospital and are intended to provide the most rapid treatment for you in the case of serious illness and/ or trauma. You should go to an Emergency Room if you have a life threatening emergency. Even with insurance, a visit to the emergency room will be the most costly of the three healthcare facility options.

Examples of when you should go to the Emergency Room (ER):
• Any Life-threatening emergency
• Severe cuts
• Difficulty Breathing
• Burns – severe
• Drug overdose
• Face or eye trauma
• Hazardous chemical exposure
• Knife or gunshot wound
• Large bone fractures
• Loss of consciousness
• Migraine headache
• Poisoning
• Severe abdominal pain
• Seizures / convulsions
• Shortness of breath / chest pain
• Suicide attempt

**Be sure to always carry your Insurance Card with you when you go to a clinic or hospital!

For a list of Emergency Rooms that are part of the WPS Insurance network, see the “How to find a Tier 1 Provider/Facility” section on the WPS Health Insurance page of the CGE website.