We look forward to helping you reveal your own innate health.  

What to expect when using our services:

Who can utilize our services?

Currently registered students may use medical services at the Macalester Health & Wellness Center. For those of you with the Aetna student health insurance plan, any services (including labs and procedures) that are received at the HWC are covered at 100% without a deductible. At this time we do not see faculty, staff, or alumni.

What does a medical visit cost?

There is no charge to see a nurse, nurse practitioner, or doctor for most appointments at the Macalester Health & Wellness Center (HWC)  However, if together with your provider, you decide that labs, imaging studies, referrals to specialists or therapists are necessary, there is a charge for those services. See the insurance and billing section for more on this topic.

What type of medical providers does HWC have on staff?

The medical team is currently made up of an MD-MPH, two nurse practitioners, a triage RN, and a medical assistant. Usually severity of illness combined with schedule availability determines who on the medical team you should see.  

Can I just walk in to HWC and get an appointment that same day?

That depends on how many other students already have appointments. We are open Monday-Friday. Students who call 651-696-6275 to schedule an appointment have the most most success being seen when it fits their schedule. Due to high deman, occasionally we need to refer students off campus or ask them to come back at another time. Thankfully, Macalester is within walking distance of many after hours care providers.

what if i am late for my appointment?

Thank you in advance for arriving on time for your appointment or calling ahead of time if you can't make it. If you are more than 10 minutes late for your appointment, you will likely be asked to reschedule out of respect for other students with appointments that day.

I need (or my partner needs) emergency contraception. What do we do?

Emergency Contraception (EC)

We provide low-cost EC for $15 per dose. For those that require emergency contraception (EC) outside of office hours, please remember that you can buy a dose of EC before an emergency occurs and keep it in your room, and that EC is available to any person 17 or over, male or female, without a prescription from local pharmacies.

What can I expect when arrive to HWC?

If you have an appointment, simply check in at the front desk and they will ask you to confirm your contact information and to have a seat in our waiting room. If you don’t already have an appointment, you will likely visit with a triage nurse who can help determine whether you need an immediate appointment with a provider or whether self-care and symptom relief would be most helpful. Your visits with the triage nurse should feel private, either in an exam room or in a separate area from the front desk.