UW Medicine International Patient Program

Providing patients from around the world with advanced diagnostic, medical, surgical and rehabilitative specialty care.

UW Medicine International Patient Program

Providing patients from around the world with advanced diagnostic, medical, surgical and rehabilitative specialty care.

Delivering world-class care

UW Medicine has one of the largest medical research programs in the world and a world-renowned School of Medicine. To learn more, check out our Awards and Honors page.

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Featured areas of expertise care include:

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Obstetrics and gynecology

UW Medicine’s highly-ranked OB-GYN care team provides family planning, infertility diagnosis and treatment, and pregnancy and gynecological care to women and people of all ages.
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Orthopedic health and sports medicine

Our surgeons specialize in caring for the musculoskeletal system — including the bones, joints, ligaments, tendons and muscles.

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Neurosciences

Our team includes experts in headache medicine, epilepsy, movement disorders, multiple sclerosis, stroke, sleep disorders and more.

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Lung care

Our pulmonary teams specialize in the diagnosis and management of pulmonary (lung) diseases including COPD, adult asthma and emphysema, interstitial lung diseases and lung cancer. We also offer pulmonary function testing, bronchoscopy, including advanced techniques, and lung cancer screening.

Frequently Asked Questions

When will I be able to schedule an appointment?

Before scheduling, the following steps must be completed: 

  • You must complete the required intake forms 
  • You must prepare and send your medical records (our team will guide you on where to send records) 
  • The clinic will medically review your case and create a personalized treatment plan 
  • The clinic will work to get you a cost estimate for care 
  • You must pay the full estimate (we will guide you on how to do this) 
  • After the estimate is paid, the clinic will schedule your appointment 

I am visiting the U.S. and will only be here for a short time. Is there any way I can be seen before I leave?

If you are only here for a short time, we will unlikely be able to complete the full process before you leave. The length of the process varies greatly depending on which medical records are available, the specialty and treatment you want, appointment availability, etc. If you are experiencing an emergency, we recommend seeking emergency care. For minor issues, primary care and urgent care services are available with a self-pay deposit.

I have a medical emergency and need to be seen urgently.

If you are having a medical emergency, please contact your local emergency room or primary care physician. The International Patients Program is not for emergency or urgent care.

Can I be seen for primary care?

The International Patient Program is for specialty care only. If you qualify for the program and need primary care while you are in the United States, you may schedule with one of our primary care providers/Urgent Care locations and pay the self-pay deposit to receive care.

Does UW Medicine provide any translation or interpreter services?

An interpreter will be supplied free of charge during all medical appointments. If you need added resources such as a list of services that can help with record translation, we recommend you reach out to our Interpreter Services department.

What are the forms I need to complete to get started and how do I send them?

Please first review the qualifications to make sure the program is right for you. The Intake form and Pre-Anesthesia form must be fully completed before the process can be started. To complete the forms, open them in your browser, fill out all the sections, hit print and select the print to PDF, and then attach the saved PDF files and email cccat@uw.edu. If you prefer, you can download and print the forms and either scan the completed forms or take a picture of the completed forms and attach them to the email. If you have concerns about using email, we can provide a fax number to send your forms to instead.

How do I get a cost estimate?

To get a complete and accurate estimate, several steps must occur: 

  • You must complete the required intake forms 
  • You must prepare and send your medical records (our team will guide you on where to send records) 
  • The clinic will medically review your case and create a personalized treatment plan 
  • The clinic will work to get you a cost estimate for care

If you would like to get a general idea of what services may cost, we recommend using the MyChart Estimator tool.

How do I use the MyChart Patient Estimates tool?

  1. Open the MyChart Patient Estimates Tool.
  2. On the bottom right of the page, under 'Guest Services,' select 'Create Estimate.' 
  3. Select the location you would like to be seen at. 
  4. Review the disclaimer and accept to continue. 
  5. If you know what Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) codes are used for the procedure you would like, you can search that way. If you need help finding CPT codes, ask your current provider. Otherwise, find the procedure(s) or visit type under 'categories' you think you may need. 
  6. For 'Choose your insurance,' select 'Skip this step.' 
    You should see an estimate for the service selected. 
     
  7. An additional Frequently Asked Questions section is available regarding this tool. 

Do I qualify for any uninsured or prepay discounts?

The International Patient Program will provide you with an estimate without the discount included. We will collect the full estimated amount for the treatment plan. Any discounts will be applied post- service. Any overpayments will be refunded once all services are completed. In case of any underpayments, Patient Accounts and Support Services will bill accordingly.

What lodging is available near UW Medicine?

Take a look at the UW Medicine Lodging Options page to see your options near UW Medicine, including short-term housing options.

How do I get a letter to support my visa application?

Once your appointment is scheduled, we can provide you with a letter confirming your scheduled appointment. UW Medicine does not provide visa invitation letters. Please check with the U.S. consulate or embassy in your country or visit the U.S. State Department website for more information.

I have dual citizenship and am a U.S. citizen living abroad. Do I qualify for this program?

The International Patient Program is for non-U.S. Citizens only. If you are a U.S. citizen, including a dual citizen, you are not eligible for this program.

If I qualify for financial assistance, will it help cover the cost of traveling and lodging?

No. Financial assistance does not cover expenses such as travel, food, and lodging.

Refer to Financial Assistance Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to complete the International Patient Program forms before I can see if I qualify for financial assistance? Where can I learn more about financial assistance including how to qualify?

As the first step, complete the International Patient Program intake forms before applying for financial assistance. Completing the International Patient Program intake helps with next steps. Appointments cannot be scheduled until the cost estimate has been paid in full, or it has been determined that the patient qualifies for 100% financial assistance. Please visit our financial assistance website for more information.

If you need further assistance, email us or call us.

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