Urgent Medical Concerns

If you’re experiencing a medical emergency, please call Public Safety at 212-854-5555, call 911, or visit a nearby emergency room. If you’re experiencing an urgent medical condition that isn’t life-threatening, call Medical Services at 212-854-7426 ext. 4 to speak with a member of our team.  

Urgent Medical Concerns at Columbia Health 

Columbia Health provides care for urgent medical concerns, including illnesses that are sudden, unexpected, or conditions that require immediate medical attention. 

Most urgent, non-life-threatening medical concerns can be evaluated at Medical Services during regular office hours. 

Who is eligible? 

All Columbia students on the Morningside and Manhattanville campuses (including students at Teachers College, Union Theological Seminary, and Jewish Theological Seminary) are eligible to receive care for urgent medical concerns.  

How do I get care for an urgent medical concern? 

You can call 212-854-7426 ext. 4 to speak with a member of our team about a medical concern. 

If It’s a more serious emergency, call Public Safety at 212-854-5555 to request assistance and no-cost ambulatory transport to the nearest emergency room through CUEMS. 

How much will it cost? 

There is no fee for urgent medical concern visits at Medical Services for students who have paid the full-time Columbia Health and Related Services fee.  

For students who paid the half- or part-time fee: You will be billed per visit. For more information about the costs for care, read our Fees for Additional Services page.  

What else do I need to know? 

When you call Medical Services for urgent concerns: 

• A health services assistant will ask for your name, phone number, and medical concern. Please immediately let the staff know the severity of your concern.
• The assistant will let a nurse know your concerns, and the nurse will return your call within one hour to find out more about your situation. Please note that during busy times, this can be longer.
• The nurse and, if necessary, a medical team member, will recommend the best way for you to get care:
  • For urgent concerns, they may schedule you a Medical Services appointment or refer you to an urgent care or emergency department.
  • If you do not require immediate care, the nurse will connect you with your Primary Care Provider (PCP) for follow up and to schedule an appointment.  

Where can I learn more about these topics? 

If you’d like to learn more about Columbia’s free emergency medical service, CUEMS, please visit their page here: CUEMS 

Frequently Asked Questions