SF Campus Route Planner
Use this guide before you call UCSF Medical Center, log in to MyChart, request medical records or imaging, pay a bill, plan parking, visit a patient, or decide whether you need emergency care at Parnassus, Mission Bay or Mount Zion.
This page is built as a practical UCSF patient-navigation guide, not a generic hospital listing. It explains the main phone, physician referral, MyChart, Release of Information, Radiology Imaging Library, billing, financial counseling, visitor desks, parking, emergency care, official links, map directions and common mistakes to avoid.
UCSF Medical Center Campus Chooser
The biggest UCSF mistake is assuming every appointment, ER visit, parking garage and information desk is at one address. UCSF Medical Center includes major care sites at Parnassus, Mission Bay and Mount Zion, plus many outpatient locations.
| Campus | Address / phone | Best known for | Parking / arrival note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Parnassus Campus | 400 Parnassus Avenue, San Francisco, CA 94143; 415-476-1000 | Original UCSF campus, hospital, many specialty clinics, adult Emergency Department and urgent care. | Several garages with self-park and valet. Parnassus hospital/ED areas often use 505 Parnassus Avenue and nearby garages. |
| Mission Bay Campus | 1825 4th Street, San Francisco, CA 94158; 415-353-3000 | Children’s, women’s, cancer, outpatient specialty care, Pediatric Emergency Department and Birth Center. | Several garages and surface lots; self-park and valet options are available. |
| Mount Zion Campus | 1600 Divisadero Street, San Francisco, CA 94143; 415-567-6600 | Mount Zion Hospital, adult primary care, specialty care, outpatient centers, surgery and support services. | Parking garage at 2420 Sutter Street; valet service available at no extra charge. |
Patient Task Finder: Choose the Right UCSF Route
Most people searching for UCSF Medical Center need one practical action: MyChart access, an appointment, a doctor, a patient room, medical records, imaging files, billing help, campus parking or visitor information. Use this table before calling or driving.
| What you need | Best first route | Why it saves time | Prepare before contacting |
|---|---|---|---|
| Life-threatening symptoms | 911 / emergency care | MyChart, records, billing and appointment tools are not emergency-response routes. | Medication list, allergies, ID, insurance if safe, emergency contact. |
| Find a doctor | Physician Referral: 888-689-8273 | Useful when you need a UCSF specialist, primary care provider or service route. | Insurance, specialty, diagnosis, records, preferred campus, language/access needs. |
| General UCSF phone help | 415-476-1000 | Useful for main UCSF Health routing when you do not know the exact department. | Patient legal name, campus, clinic, provider or reason for calling. |
| MyChart login, results or messages | UCSF MyChart / 415-514-6000 | MyChart is the fastest route for many non-urgent portal tasks. | Username, date of birth, activation code if available, two-step verification device. |
| Formal medical records | Medical Records: 415-353-2221 | Formal records, missing portal records and release requests use Health Information Management. | Photo ID, dates of service, record type, recipient details. |
| Radiology images or reports | Radiology Imaging Library: 415-353-1640 | Actual images and reports may require a different route than standard chart records. | Exam type, exam date, body part, mailing address or receiving doctor details. |
| Bill or financial help | Billing: 866-433-4035; Financial Counseling: 415-353-1966 | Facility, professional, insurance and financial-assistance questions can be separate. | Statement, account number, service date, EOB, income documents if applying. |
UCSF MyChart: Portal, Test Results, Proxy Access and Billing
UCSF MyChart is the main online patient portal. It can help with test results, messages, appointment requests, refills, electronic health information, many medical records, billing statements and Pay as Guest. It is not for emergencies.
MyChart customer service
Call 415-514-6000 for UCSF MyChart help. UCSF lists this support as available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Two-step verification
UCSF requires enhanced security in MyChart, so patients may need a 6-digit verification code sent to their confirmed email or phone.
Proxy access
Parents/guardians can request access through Proxy Center. Adult representatives may need the correct proxy form.
| MyChart issue | Best next step | Common mistake |
|---|---|---|
| Need test results | Check MyChart, then ask the ordering provider for interpretation. | Self-diagnosing from a result before the provider explains it. |
| Need medical advice message | Use MyChart for non-urgent issues and review UCSF’s messaging-cost information. | Assuming every message is free or appropriate for urgent symptoms. |
| Forgot username or password | Use official MyChart recovery or call 415-514-6000. | Creating duplicate accounts or using unrelated MyChart portals. |
| Need most records | Check MyChart first because UCSF says many records are available there. | Requesting formal records before checking what MyChart already provides. |
| Need formal release or missing records | Use Medical Records / Health Information Management. | Assuming portal records always equal the complete formal chart. |
Appointments, Doctor Search, Second Opinions and Referrals
UCSF Health is a specialty-heavy system, so the best appointment route depends on the service, provider, campus, insurance and referral requirements. Start with the exact condition, clinic or provider whenever possible.
888-689-8273 for help finding a UCSF doctor.
Use UCSF’s official appointment page, then choose provider, service or location.
UCSF offers a second-opinion route for patients who need expert review without starting with a standard visit.
International Services: 415-353-8489 or ims@ucsf.edu.
Before scheduling, confirm these
- Which campus: Parnassus, Mission Bay, Mount Zion or another UCSF location.
- Exact building, floor, suite, check-in desk, parking garage and arrival time.
- Whether you need a referral, prior authorization, records review or outside imaging before the visit.
- Whether your care is adult, pediatric, women’s health, cancer, transplant, neurology, cardiology or another specialty route.
- Whether interpreter, mobility, lodging or caregiver support should be arranged before the appointment.
UCSF Emergency Department, Urgent Care and When to Call 911
UCSF’s adult Emergency Department is at Parnassus and is open 24/7. UCSF also has pediatric emergency care at Mission Bay. Emergency departments treat by medical urgency, not arrival order.
Use ER / 911 now for
- Chest pain, pressure, fainting, severe shortness of breath or heart attack signs.
- Stroke signs: facial droop, arm weakness, slurred speech, sudden confusion or sudden severe headache.
- Major trauma, head injury, uncontrolled bleeding, deep wound, severe burn or severe allergic reaction.
- Seizure, sudden vision loss, poisoning, overdose or suicidal crisis.
- Pregnancy emergency symptoms, severe abdominal pain, sepsis concern or rapidly worsening symptoms.
Urgent care or office may fit better for
- Stable medication-refill questions or non-urgent care-team messages.
- Routine lab follow-up, forms, chronic-condition questions or appointment rescheduling.
- Mild symptoms that are not rapidly worsening and do not involve breathing, chest pain, stroke signs or major injury.
- Billing, records, MyChart login, imaging CD or insurance questions.
| Emergency route | Address / context | Practical note |
|---|---|---|
| Adult Emergency Department Parnassus | 505 Parnassus Avenue, San Francisco, CA 94143 | Open 24/7 for adult medical emergencies, heart attack, stroke, deep cuts, broken bones and serious conditions. |
| Pediatric Emergency Department | Mission Bay campus | Use for children who need emergency care; call 911 for active emergency symptoms. |
| Urgent Care Parnassus | Parnassus campus | For less serious conditions that still need prompt treatment. |
Medical Records: MyChart, Formal Requests and Health Information Management
UCSF says patients with a MyChart account can access most medical records there without a special request. For records not available in MyChart, use the official Health Information Management route.
Medical Records phone
Call 415-353-2221 for UCSF Medical Records / Health Information Management.
HIM office
Health Information Management Services: 400 Parnassus Ave., Room A88, San Francisco, CA 94143-0308. Listed hours: Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m.
Processing time
UCSF says requests are processed within 15 days and sent by the method you indicate.
| Need | Best route | Prepare | Common mistake |
|---|---|---|---|
| Most visit records | MyChart first | Portal login and visit date. | Submitting formal request before checking MyChart. |
| Formal chart copy | MyChart Sharing Hub or health information release form | MRN/unit number if known, full treatment name, signature, date range and delivery method. | Requesting “everything” when a summary would work. |
| Records for another doctor | Formal release or provider-to-provider route | Receiving doctor name, address, fax and appointment date. | Assuming the specialist already received records. |
| Psychiatric records | Use the correct UCSF psychiatric records route depending on date/location of care. | Facility, date range and care setting. | Sending all psychiatry requests to the wrong building. |
| Billing record | Billing / Patient Financial Services | Statement, account number and date of service. | Confusing clinical records with billing records. |
Radiology Images, Reports and the UCSF Imaging Library
Imaging records are a common UCSF pain point. A written radiology report is different from the actual image files. Ask the receiving doctor whether they need the report, the images, or both.
Radiology Library
UCSF lists the Radiology Imaging Library at 415-353-1640. For image-copy questions, use option 3 when directed.
Image CD request
UCSF says imaging CDs are free of charge and can be requested with the required release form. The imaging request fax listed is 415-353-8583.
Timing
Radiology reports usually take two to five working days to be reviewed and written. CDs are mailed five to seven business days after the release form is received.
| Imaging need | Best route | What to include |
|---|---|---|
| Read a report | MyChart or Imaging Library | Exam date, body part, ordering provider and report question. |
| Send images to a specialist | Radiology Imaging Library / formal release | Type of exam, date, mailing address or receiving provider details. |
| Understand results | Ordering provider | Questions about diagnosis, next steps, comparison with prior imaging. |
| Need CD for outside doctor | Authorization form and imaging-library route | Request early because CDs are not instant. |
Billing, Financial Counseling and Help Paying Your Bill
A UCSF visit can generate multiple charges: facility, professional, emergency, imaging, lab, anesthesia, specialist, surgery or telehealth-related charges. Check your statement and insurance Explanation of Benefits before paying a confusing balance.
Billing
UCSF lists Billing at 866-433-4035.
Financial Counseling
UCSF lists Financial Counseling at 415-353-1966.
Financial Services
Patient Financial Services is listed with 866-433-4035, 415-353-3333, fax 415-353-3914 and patient.financialservices@ucsf.edu.
Before paying a large UCSF bill, check these
- Is it a facility bill, physician bill, emergency bill, anesthesia bill, radiology bill, lab bill or another provider bill?
- Has your insurance fully processed the claim and sent an Explanation of Benefits?
- Does the statement match your name, account number, date of service and insurance plan?
- Do you need an itemized explanation before paying?
- Do financial assistance, payment arrangements or insurance corrections apply?
- Could a MyChart medical advice message, telehealth visit or Pay as Guest transaction be part of the bill?
- Have you saved every confirmation number, receipt, email and insurer reference number?
Parking, Valet, Shuttle and Transit by Campus
UCSF parking depends heavily on campus. San Francisco traffic, hills, construction, garage entrances and hospital wayfinding can add time, especially at Parnassus.
| Campus | Parking route | Transit / arrival tip |
|---|---|---|
| Parnassus | Several garages with self-park and valet options. Millberry Union Garage is commonly referenced at 500 Parnassus Avenue. | N Judah Muni streetcar and 6/43 bus routes serve the Parnassus area. Leave extra time for hills, traffic and garage lines. |
| Mission Bay | Several garages and surface lots with self-park and valet options; UCSF says there is no additional charge for valet service. | Mission Bay has many buildings, including cancer, women’s, children’s and Gateway locations. Confirm your exact building. |
| Mount Zion | Parking garage at 2420 Sutter Street. Valet service is available at no extra charge with drop-off in front of Mount Zion Hospital. | Confirm whether you are going to Mount Zion Hospital, outpatient care, surgery or a support-service location. |
Campus arrival checklist
- Use the exact address from MyChart or appointment paperwork, not only “UCSF Medical Center.”
- Confirm the garage, valet option, building, floor, elevator bank and check-in desk.
- Take a phone photo of your garage name, level, row, elevator and walking route.
- Leave extra time for San Francisco traffic, construction, parking, security, check-in and elevators.
- Ask about disability parking, valet, drop-off and wheelchair access before arrival if mobility is limited.
Visitor Help, Information Desks and Campus-Specific Contacts
UCSF visitor rules can vary by campus, unit, patient condition, infection-control needs and current hospital policy. Always check the current visitor policy before traveling.
Parnassus desks
Helen Diller Hospital information desk: 415-353-1664, 505 Parnassus Ave. Parnassus Healthcare Center desk: 415-353-2869, 400 Parnassus Ave.
Mission Bay desks
Cancer and Women’s Hospitals desk: 415-476-1540. Gateway Medical Building desk: 415-514-2028.
Mount Zion desk
Mount Zion Hospital information desk: 415-353-9548, 1600 Divisadero St.
Before visiting, ask these questions
- Which campus, building, floor, unit and room should I use?
- How many visitors are allowed at the bedside today?
- Are masks, screening or infection-control precautions required?
- Can children visit this unit?
- Can I bring flowers, plants, food, balloons, gifts or personal equipment?
- Will the patient be in testing, surgery, therapy, discharge planning or a procedure during my visit?
Interpreter, Lodging, Patient Relations, Security and Support Services
UCSF has many support services that make care easier for patients and families, especially during complex specialty care, surgery, cancer treatment, pediatric care or long hospital stays.
415-353-1936 or patient.relations@ucsf.edu for feedback, questions or concerns.
UCSF offers interpreters in many languages, including ASL, and services for deaf, hard-of-hearing and visually impaired patients.
For lodging help, UCSF lists 415-353-2016.
UCSF contact page lists Security at 415-885-7890.
Official UCSF Links to Use After This Guide
Use this guide to choose the right route, then use official UCSF pages for live policies, MyChart access, medical records, billing, parking, visitor rules and campus details.
UCSF Medical Center Map and Directions
This map is centered on UCSF’s Parnassus hospital area. For Mission Bay or Mount Zion, use the official campus address from your appointment or the campus chooser above.
Confirm campus, building, entrance, garage, ID, insurance card, referral, records and arrival time.
Use the information desk, MyChart appointment details, UCSF campus map or staff wayfinding help if your route is unclear.
Confirm discharge instructions, medication changes, follow-up, MyChart access, records needs and billing questions.
Helpful Video / Resource Decision
No single current UCSF instructional video was reliable enough to embed here as the main patient-instruction video without risking outdated portal, parking, billing, visitor or campus-wayfinding details. For current patient tasks, the safer UX is to link directly to official UCSF pages for MyChart, medical records, billing, visitor resources and campus maps.
UCSF Patient Route Planner
Choose your situation and this browser-side planner creates a practical next-step list. It does not send information anywhere.
Select your situation and create a practical next-step list.
Call and Message Scripts for Faster Help
Short, specific messages work better than long stories. Copy and edit the script that matches your need.
MyChart support script
Hi, I am a UCSF Health patient and need help with MyChart. My issue is [login / two-step verification / missing result / proxy access / Pay as Guest / message question]. What is the correct next step?Records request script
Hi, I need UCSF records from [date/service/campus]. I need [ER note / discharge summary / operative report / lab / imaging report / radiology images]. What form, ID and delivery details do you need?Billing script
Hi, I received a UCSF bill for account number [number]. Has insurance finished processing, is this a facility or professional bill, and can I request an itemized explanation, payment plan or financial-assistance review?Appointment location script
Hi, I have an appointment with [clinic/provider/service] on [date]. Can you confirm the campus, exact building, entrance, parking garage, arrival time, and whether I need labs, fasting, forms, referral, authorization or previous records?Common UCSF Medical Center Mistakes to Avoid
These mistakes create wrong-campus trips, delayed records, MyChart confusion, billing stress and missed appointments.
Driving to the wrong campus
Parnassus, Mission Bay and Mount Zion are not interchangeable. Always use the exact address from your appointment details.
Using MyChart for emergency symptoms
MyChart is not emergency response. Call 911 for life-threatening or rapidly worsening symptoms.
Requesting the full chart too quickly
Check MyChart first and ask the receiving doctor whether a summary, report or specific date range is enough.
Confusing imaging reports with image files
A written report may not be enough. Outside specialists often need the actual images.
Ignoring MyChart message charges
Some medical-advice messages may be billable. Review UCSF’s MyChart message guidance before sending complex medical questions.
Paying a confusing bill too quickly
Check insurance processing, facility vs professional charges, itemized details and financial-assistance options first.
Related Medical-Centers.org Guides
Use these related guides if you are comparing MyChart, records, billing, ER, parking and visitor workflows across California medical centers.
UCSF Medical Center FAQ
What is UCSF Medical Center’s main phone number?
UCSF Health lists the main phone number as 415-476-1000.
What campuses make up UCSF Medical Center?
UCSF Medical Center includes major medical centers at the Parnassus, Mission Bay and Mount Zion campuses, plus many other UCSF Health locations around the Bay Area.
Where is UCSF Parnassus located?
UCSF Parnassus Campus is at 400 Parnassus Avenue, San Francisco, CA 94143. The adult Emergency Department and hospital area are commonly listed at 505 Parnassus Avenue.
Where is UCSF Mission Bay located?
UCSF Mission Bay Campus is at 1825 4th Street, San Francisco, CA 94158, with phone 415-353-3000.
Where is UCSF Mount Zion located?
UCSF Mount Zion Campus is at 1600 Divisadero Street, San Francisco, CA 94143, with phone 415-567-6600.
Does UCSF use MyChart?
Yes. UCSF Health uses MyChart for secure online access to test results, care-team messages, appointments, refills, records and billing statements.
What is UCSF MyChart customer service?
UCSF MyChart customer service is 415-514-6000. UCSF lists this support as available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
How do I request UCSF medical records?
Check MyChart first for many records. For formal records or records not available in MyChart, contact UCSF Medical Records at 415-353-2221 or use the official UCSF medical records page.
Where is UCSF Health Information Management?
UCSF Health Information Management Services is listed at 400 Parnassus Ave., Room A88, San Francisco, CA 94143-0308, Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m.
How long does UCSF take to process medical records requests?
UCSF says it processes medical-records requests within 15 days and sends records by the method indicated.
How do I get UCSF radiology images?
Use the UCSF Radiology Imaging Library. The contact number is 415-353-1640, and image-copy requests may use a release form and the imaging request fax route.
Who do I call for UCSF billing questions?
UCSF lists Billing at 866-433-4035. Financial Counseling is listed at 415-353-1966.
How do I contact UCSF Patient Relations?
UCSF lists Patient Relations at 415-353-1936 or patient.relations@ucsf.edu.
Does UCSF have valet parking?
Yes, UCSF campus pages describe valet options at major campuses. Parnassus and Mission Bay have self-park and valet options, while Mount Zion lists valet service at no extra charge.
What should I bring to a UCSF appointment?
Bring photo ID, insurance card, referral or authorization if needed, medication list, allergy list, outside records or imaging if requested, MyChart access, parking plan and questions for the care team.