Frequently asked questions about
UI Hospitals and Clinics

How do I get to UI Hospitals and Clinics?

Directions can be found by clicking here.

Where do I park while I'm at UI Hospitals and Clinics? What will parking cost? Do you offer long-term parking?

UI Hospitals and Clinics offers convenient parking for both short and long-term stays. The prices range from $.70 an hour to a long-term pass of $38 for seven days. Valet parking is also available.

When I arrive, do I register at a main registration desk or at the clinic where I will be seen?

If you already have made an appointment, you should receive a letter in the mail indicating whether or not you need to register. If you haven't received a letter, go to the information desk and staff will tell you if you need to register or not.

I might need a wheelchair to get to my appointment. Can one be provided at the door? I might need assistance getting from place to place during my appointment visit, can help be provided?

Not only are wheelchairs available, but the PATmobile also will be available to help you get around the hospital. Wheelchairs are available at the Main Entrance. Our Guest Services staff will be happy to assist you as you enter UI Hospitals and Clinics. Call 102 on any in-house phone to request patient escort/wheelchair assistance from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays. After 5 p.m. and on weekends, dial 101 on any in-house phone to request assistance.

Places to Stay

Where can I stay while in the Iowa City/Coralville area? Do any hotels/motels have hospital rates? Do any offer hospital shuttles?

There are many places to stay in the Iowa City/Coralville area as well as the hospital's own Helen K. Rossi Volunteer Guest House. There are other low cost lodging options available for patients' families through organizations around Iowa City. Many local hotels/motels do offer hospital rates and a shuttle to and from the hospital.

Can my family members stay overnight at the hospital?

The Helen K. Rossi Volunteer Guest House is a hospitality house located within the hospital for patients' families.

What are the guidelines for staying at the nearby Ronald McDonald House?

The Ronald McDonald House of Iowa City serves as a "Home Away from Home" for families of children ages newborn to 18 receiving critical medical care at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics. Referrals are prioritized on a waiting list according to severity of the child's illness and distance traveled to Iowa City.

Contact Us

How can I contact someone who is an inpatient at UI Hospitals and Clinics?

To contact someone who is at the UI Hospitals and Clinics call 1-319-356-2456 and tell the operator the person you wish to contact.

What's your toll-free number? Can I contact a patient by using it?

The hospital's toll-free number is 1-800-777-8442. Patients cannot be reached by using this number.

How do I access information from my medical records?

All requests for copies of medical records must be received in writing. Requests via e-mail cannot be accepted. For a HIPAA compliant form to authorize release of medical information, please click here. For a Spanish version of the form, please click here. To request a pre-printed form be sent to you via e-mail or by mail, please e-mail HIM-ConsentForm@uiowa.edu. To avoid delays in processing, please review the form carefully and complete all sections. If the patient is a minor (less than 18 years of age), a parent or legal guardian must sign. Questions regarding release of information or the pre-printed form, may be directed to the Release of Information Office at 319-356-1719, Monday - Friday, 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. Mail completed forms to:

University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics
Release of Information Office, 2072 SRF
200 Hawkins Drive
Iowa City, IA, 52242

Urgent patient care requests may be faxed to 319-356-3079.

How do I resolve a question on my billing statement?

If you have any questions concerning your billing statement, contact the UI Hospitals and Clinics' Customer Service from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. at 1-319-356-2211.

How do I get a copy of a birth certificate?

Requests for official copies of birth certificates should be addressed to: State Department of Health, Division of Vital Statistics, Lucas Office Building, Des Moines, IA. 50319. For questions regarding obtaining a copy of a birth certificate, and/or possible fee, please call the Department of Health at 515-281-5872.

I have a follow up question or concern for my UI Health Care physician. How can I leave a message for him or her?

To speak to your doctor please call the clinic you visited. A staff member will take a message or connect you to your physician.

I would like to comment about my experience at UI Hospitals and Clinics. Whom do I contact with a compliment, complaint, or suggestion?

Patient representatives are available to listen to your suggestions and concerns dealing with your visit at the hospitals and clinics. They can be reached by calling 1-319-356-1802. You also can contact a social service worker at 1-319-356-2207.

Visiting hours - Hospital rooms

What are your visiting hours? Are there any age or health restrictions for visitors?

Visiting hours differ from department to department but general visiting hours are from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. There are no other restrictions.

Are there places to eat within UI Hospitals and Clinics? Any nearby restaurants?

There are several convenient places to eat in the UI Hospitals and Clinics, including a visitor dining room, coffee shop, and the Rooftop Kiosk. Downtown Iowa City and Coralville are also close by and are home to a variety of restaurants and cafes.

Places to eat and/or shop

How far are shopping areas and other attractions from UI Hospitals and Clinics? Are there buses that can take me there?

The hospital has its own Medical Museum and is also close to downtown Iowa City and the Coral Ridge Mall. The Coralville Transit System's bus route stops at the UI Hospitals and Clinics as well as the Coral Ridge Mall. Various Iowa City Transit routes depart from the UI Hospitals and Clinics, and many make connections downtown. Free campus buses make stops at UI Hospitals and Clinics and downtown Iowa City.

Can I bring my laptop computer and use it on line from my hospital room?

Patients do have access to an online connection in their hospital rooms for laptop use.

Things to do

What can be checked out from your patients library?

The patients library offers a variety of books for recreational reading to informational reading. It also provides books and programs for children.

I might be interested in participating in a clinical trial that tests new drugs or procedures. How can I find out about ongoing clinical trials at UI Health Care?

UI Hospitals and Clinics has a variety of clinical trials going on all the time in many of its departments. Information can be found through the clinical trials web page.

About us

How many patients do you treat in a year?

The UI Hospitals admitted over 27,000 patients and there were over 856,000 clinic visits in the past year alone. There were 1,600 babies born at the hospital and 6 heart transplants last year.

What is the difference between a state-supported hospital like UI Hospitals and Clinics and my local hospital?

The UI Hospitals and Clinics is a teaching hospital that is funded by patient funds (including insurance funds) like most other hospitals in Iowa. It receives state funding to underwrite a portion of the training of Iowa physicians and to care for patients who qualify for state support.