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Emergency Care

Emergencies: If you are experiencing a life-threatening emergency, dial 9-1-1. If it is after hours and you would like to speak with a nurse, dial the main number (858) 534-3300 and select the option for the "Advice Nurse." If you or a friend are a victim of rape or sexual assault or are experiencing personal safety concerns, contact CARE at SARC, the campus advocacy and education office for sexual violence and gender-based violence (dating violence, domestic violence, stalking).

Have You Considered Urgent Care?

If your symptoms are not life threatening, you can go to SHS Urgent Care on campus or a nearby urgent care facility. This is a more cost-effective option and provides you with convenient, timely care. See options for Urgent & After-Hours Care.

Need help deciding where to go for care? Our Where to Get Care guide can assist you.

Emergency Care Options

UC San Diego Health Building

If you are dealing with a critical illness or injury that threatens your life or limbs, emergency medical care is available from hospital emergency departments in the nearby community.

UC San Diego Health Jacobs Medical Center Emergency (La Jolla)
1.6 miles from campus
9434 Medical Center Drive West Entrance
La Jolla 92037
(858) 657-7600
Driving directions to Jacobs Medical Center

UC San Diego Health Hillcrest Medical Center Emergency (Hillcrest)
14.6 miles from campus
200 W Arbor Drive, San Diego 92103
(619) 543-6400
Driving directions to Hillcrest Medical Center

UC San Diego Health East Campus Medical Center (East County area)
16.2 miles from campus
6655 Alvarado Road, San Diego 92120
(858) 657-7000
Driving directions to East Campus Medical Center

Kaiser Permanente San Diego Medical Center Emergency Department (Kearny Mesa)
12.9 miles from campus
9455 Clairemont Mesa Blvd, San Diego, CA 92123
(858) 266-2000
Driving directions to Kaiser Medical Center

Students with UC SHIP

The copay with UC SHIP is $150 for emergency department visits. For more information about emergency care and coverage, visit the UC SHIP website or contact a Student Health and Well-Being Insurance Coordinator at (858) 534-2124 or ship3@ucsd.edu.

Students without UC SHIP

Check with your private insurance plan to see where emergency care is covered. RAFT is not an insurance plan, it only pays for care provided within the UCSD Student Health clinic, not the emergency department.

Those with Kaiser can find helpful information about emergency care and coverage on their website.

Those with Medi-Cal have access to no-cost or low-cost health care including emergency services. Learn more and login to view your benefits.

Emergency Medical Care Contacts

Medical Emergencies (Police/Fire/Rescue) 911 from campus phones
Medical Emergencies (Police/Fire/Rescue) (858) 534-HELP from cell phones
Mental Health Crisis Line (San Diego) (800) 479-3339
Domestic Violence/Sexual Assault Hotline (858) 272-1767

Poison Control – Information

 (800) 222-1222

What to do After an Emergency Department Visit

Log in to MyStudentChart to read your After-Visit Summary for instructions on self-care, next steps, and referrals to specialty care if needed.

Students with UC SHIP

If you were seen at the UCSD Health Emergency Department, you will be contacted by a registered nurse from Student Health Services who can assist with follow-up care, referrals, and connecting you to campus resources. If you went to a non-UCSD emergency department (such as Scripps), please message Ask-a-Nurse in MyStudentChart to be added to the nurse contact list.

Note: before completing any recommended follow-up care, you will need a referral from SHS; the SHS nurse who contacts you after discharge can help with this.

Students without UC SHIP

If recommended, schedule a follow-up appointment with your primary care provider (PCP) or any provider covered by your insurance. Students with RAFT can be seen by their PCP at SHS. After being discharged from a UCSD Health emergency department, you may be contacted by the UCSD at Home team for follow-up.

Additional Contacts

Nurse Advice Line

If you are currently sick or injured and need medical advice, call (858) 534-3300 to speak with a registered nurse who can assist you. This service is available 24/7 to all students at no cost.

UCSD Offices