UCLA
Arthur Ashe Student
Health and Wellness Center
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Winter Break Reminders for 2025-26

How to Seek Care Outside of The Ashe Center During the Holiday Season

As we head into the holiday season, it is important to remember that although most of us will be taking breaks from work and school, precaution is warranted to slow and prevent the spread of COVID-19 and influenza viruses and avoid a potential winter surge.

The winter months can pose a significant risk as people socialize with friends and family indoors, so as you prepare for activities, holidays and gatherings it is important to consider actions to curb the potential spread of respiratory viruses like influenza and COVID-19. Ensuring you are fully vaccinated, having at-home testing kits, and staying home if you are not feeling well are just a few of the actions that you can take to keep yourself, friends, family, neighbors and members of our communities safer during the holiday season.

UCLA will curtail most administrative operations during the annual winter break from Wednesday, Dec. 24, 2025, through Friday, Jan. 2, 2026. Normal campus operations will resume on Monday, Jan. 5, 2026.

Ashe Center Operations

The Ashe Center will be closed Wednesday, December 24, 2025 through Friday, January 2, 2026. 

When We Are Closed 

We realize that getting sick is not always predictable. In the event that you need to seek medical care when The Ashe Center is closed, remember that all registered UCLA students have access to various alternatives for urgent access to  care, including: 24/7 Nurseline, telemedicine visits through LiveHealth Online, local immediate and urgent care centers, and in the case of an actual emergency, emergency room access. 

AfterHours Options 

Visit the AfterHours page

Q: The Ashe Center is closed for the holiday break. Do I need a referral to access care?

A: Referrals are necessary for any routine medical care accessed outside of The Ashe Center, including during holiday breaks or closures. You can request a referral from your Primary Care Provider using the Patient Portal, or by contacting The Ashe Center Insurance Office during normal hours of operation.

Learn more about Referrals

You can request a referral from your primary care provider using The Ashe Center Patient Portal, or by contacting The Ashe Center Insurance Office during normal hours of operation.

 

Campus Winter Closure
(Dec 24, 2025 - Jan 2, 2026)

The Ashe Center will be closed Wednesday, December 24, 2025 through Friday, January 2, 2026. 

The Ashe Center will reopen at 9 AM on January 2, 2026.

AfterHours Options

CAPS Info During Holiday Closure

  • LiveHealth Online Telemedicine (24/7/365)

Learn about LiveHealth Online

LiveHealth Online Telehealth Available 24/7

Your UCSHIP plan makes seeing a doctor easy when The Ashe Center is not available to you (building closures, away from campus, or if you just have a very busy schedule that prevents you from scheduling an in-person appointment). LiveHealth Online provides access to U.S. board-certified doctors 24/7/365 via phone or online video consults for urgent, non-Emergency medical assistance, including the ability to write prescriptions.

LiveHealth Online Art Graphic of doctor on iPad LiveHealth Online

No matter how hectic your holidays get, you can see an urgent care doctor anywhere, anytime, on a virtual visit on LiveHealth Online. Get the care you know and trust – even when your doctor's office is closed. See a board-certified doctor online in minutes, and get a diagnosis, treatment plan, and prescription, if necessary. All you need is your smartphone, tablet, or computer.

Ashe Center Insurance Office

Ashe Center Insurance Office 

Our office will be supporting students at a limited capacity during the Winter Holiday Closure. Please contact our office through MyStudentChart. Both the service window and phone lines will be closed. Voicemails will be returned when we reopen on Monday, January 5, 2026. 

Referrals During Closure 

UC SHIP Policy requires you to receive an Ashe Center Referral before seeking non-emergent medical or mental health treatment anywhere outside of the Ashe Center or CAPS (e.g. out of state/out of country). 

Emergency Care Services (e.g., Urgent Care, Emergency Room, Ambulance…) do not require an Ashe Referral. 

  • For initial non-emergent Medical Services, we recommend utilizing your Urgent Care or LiveHealth Online benefits. To find a local In-Network Urgent Care, call UC SHIP Member Services or use the Find Care feature on your Sydney Health App. 

  • For follow-up non-emergent Medical Services after Urgent Care, Immediate Care, LiveHealth Online or Hospital Discharge, please request an Administrative Ashe Center Referral by forwarding your doctors notes to our office through MyStudentChart. 

  • For non-emergent Mental Health Services, we recommend utilizing your LiveHealth Online benefits until CAPS (Counseling and Psychological Services) resumes operations in January. 

Campus Winter Closure
(Dec 24, 2025 - Jan 2, 2026)

Our service window and phone lines will be closed during Winter Closure. Voicemails will be returned when we reopen.

Helpful Resources

Sydney Health Mobile App

LiveHealth Online

AfterHours for Urgent & Immediate Care

Important Tips

  • Access your digital UC SHIP card via the Sydney Health app or Anthem.com before your visit.
  • Schedule a follow-up with Ashe Center PCP within 24–48 hours after urgent or emergency care.
  • If your provider recommends additional services or a specialty provider after your visit, you must obtain an Ashe Center referral before scheduling those appointments.
  • The Insurance Services Office can create an Administrative Ashe Center referral if you provide supporting documentation (e.g., chart notes, discharge summary, outside referrals/orders).
  • To request an Administrative Ashe Center referral:
  1. Log in to myStudent Chart.
  2. Go to My Messages > Send a Message > Submit Feedback > Ashe Insurance.
  3. Attach your supporting documentation and send your message.

 

Bruin Health Pharmacy & U See LA Optometry

Bruin Health Pharmacy

Bruin Health Pharmacy is located on the A-Level of Ackerman Union, A-250, and is available to all registered students in addition to UCLA faculty & staff with qualifying HealthNet Blue & Gold and UC Care insurance plans. We offer a full range of prescription medications in addition to over 70 over-the-counter medications.

Visit the Bruin Health Pharmacy page

The Pharmacy will be open for limited hours during the winter closure: 

  • Friday, 12/26/25 from 9AM-1PM 

  • Monday, 12/30/25 from 9AM-1PM 

Please plan accordingly for filling prescriptions prior to the Winter break. 

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U See LA Optometry

U See LA Optometry is a full service Optometry clinic serving active UCLA students, faculty and staff. We are located inside the UCLA store in the Ackerman Union on B-Level near the elevators. Our services include comprehensive eye exams, contact lens fittings, and a selection of more than 700 eyeglass and sunglass frames.

Visit the U See LA Optometry page

Campus Winter Closure
(Dec 24, 2025 - Jan 2, 2026)

Please plan accordingly for utilizing any vision benefits before the end of the plan year.

UCLA Campus Services During Winter Closure

UCLA will curtail most administrative operations during the annual winter break from Wednesday, Dec. 24, 2025, through Friday, Jan. 2, 2026.

Snowflake art superimposed over Royce Hall to advertise Campus Winter Closure UCLA Campus Services During Winter Closure

To reduce operating costs and allow most employees a much-needed break, most administrative, business and finance operations and support services in the Administrative Vice Chancellor and Vice Chancellor/Chief Financial Officer organizations will be closed during this time.