The Access Center
Access Center
In Madison:
(608) 263-6796
Outside of Madison:
(800) 472-0111
Individual Program Referrals
Note: For transplant referrals, go to our Transplant section and navigate to the appropriate program page.
In Madison: (608) 263-6796
Fax: (608) 265-0759
- Rapid consultations with specialty staff
- Patient referral on a outpatient or inpatient basis
- Transportation on UW Med Flight or with the Critical Care Transport Team (ground transport) for the American Family Children's Hospital
How to Use the Access Center
A registered nurse, specializing in consultation and acute care admission, is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Attending physicians are also available 24/7 through the Access Center and the RN staff can help facilitate transport for Med Flight and the Critical Care Transport Team which provides ground transport to the American Family Children's Hospital.
Contact Information
You may reach our highly experienced nursing staff in the Access Center 24 hours per day via our toll free numbers. The Access Center staff will help you obtain physician consultation and referral information at any time, day or night.
- In Madison: (608) 263-6796
- Outside Madison: (800) 472-0111
- Fax: (608) 265-0759
Referral Details
When you make a referral, please provide the following information:
- Patient's name, date of birth, address and telephone number
- UW Hospital patient registration number - MR (medical record) number, if known
- Name of referring physician and office phone number
- Insurance information, including the name of insurance plan or HMO, pre-admission requirements and second surgical opinion guidelines, if appropriate
Transferring Patients to UW Hospital or American Family Children's Hospital
When a hospital-to-hospital transfer is needed, the patient's attending physician should call the Access Center. The Access Center nurse will ask for a brief history of the illness or injury and the level of care that the patient is receiving. The nurses are very experienced and know UW Hospital and Clinics' parameters for intensive care or specialty care within our institution. With this information, you will be connected with the most appropriate attending physician from within UW Hospital and Clinics.
Once the level of care and the accepting service is decided by the physicians, the Access Center nurse will ask for a call-back number. The Access Center will find a bed placement and the time the bed will be ready. Please wait to arrange transportation until you receive a call with these details.
Prior Authorization
To assure compliance with payer-based prior authorization requirements, insurance information is necessary at the time of referral. Please fax your patients' face sheet to the Access Center at (608) 265-0759 so insurance verification and requirements can be met.