Parents
Congratulations on your child’s acceptance to Yale University!
We know this is an exciting time, and we want to put your mind at ease when it comes to your student’s health care.
At Yale Health, we provide comprehensive, coordinated care to support students’ physical and mental well-being throughout their time at Yale. While students manage their own care, we aim to make it easy for families to understand how services work and how to best support their student.
What Parents Should Know
Every student has a Primary Care Provider (PCP)
- Students are assigned a PCP who serves as their main point of care and coordination
- PCPs are part of Student Health or Athletic Medicine
- Building an early relationship helps ensure continuity, trust, and better health outcomes
Students can easily schedule care
- Self-schedule through MyChart
- Call the department directly to schedule
- Message or speak with clinical staff as needed
Acute Care is simple and accessible (“Easy as 1-2-3”)
- Call for guidance for urgent medical needs, 24/7: 203-432-0123
- Walk in or schedule same-day care (8 a.m. - 10 p.m., in-person care)
- Receive treatment from emergency room-trained doctors and clinicians in a calmer setting than the emergency department
Student Mental Health Resources
Your student’s mental health is just as important as their physical health. Yale Health offers a range of confidential services to support them.
Mental Health Resources for Students
Students don’t need to be in a crisis to get support. Connect with the Mental Health team for casual, flexible drop-in sessions tailored to student life.
Groups & Peer Counseling
Your student can navigate the highs and lows of Yale alongside people who actually get it. Check out our diverse student group therapy options or chat one-on-one with Walden Peer Counseling.
Need to talk to someone right now?
Day or night, weekday or weekend, students don't have to carry it alone. Our on-call mental health clinicians are available 24/7 for urgent support.
Embedded Mental Health Counselors
Fifteen embedded counselors across Yale College and graduate/professional schools provide convenient access to brief counseling services for students with mild to moderate mental health needs, including online self-scheduling.
Understanding Basic Student Health Services
All students enrolled at least half-time in a degree-seeking program have access to Basic Student Health Services, which include:
- Primary care services in Student Health and Gynecology
- Acute Care @ 55 Lock Street
- Mental Health & Counseling services
- Blood Draw services
- Preventive care and wellness support
Hospital & Specialty Care Coverage
Students are automatically enrolled in Hospital & Specialty Care (HSC) coverage, which provides expanded benefits for:
- Hospitalization and emergency care
- Specialty care
- Out of area coverage
- Additional diagnostic and treatment services
Students are charged for this coverage unless it is waived.
Important: If your student has other insurance, you may choose to waive this coverage — but the waiver must be completed before the deadline of September 15 for fall-term and full-year coverage or February 1 for spring-term coverage.
To help you decide:
- Review the Waiver Checklist
- Compare your plan’s access to care in the New Haven area
Learn more
Important Deadlines & Requirements
Waiver Deadline (September 15 or February 1)
If you plan to waive Hospital & Specialty Care coverage, you must submit the waiver by the deadline of September 15 for fall-term and full-year coverage or February 1 for spring-term coverage. Late waivers are not accepted.
Health & Immunization Forms (Due August 1)
All incoming students must complete required health and immunization forms before arriving on campus.
We strongly encourage families to:
- Review the appropriate forms early
- Schedule an appointment with your student’s healthcare provider as soon as possible
Access forms: New Student Health Requirements, Designated Spokesperson Forms, and more.
Student Privacy Matters
Federal and state privacy laws protect student health information.
Yale Health cannot share details about a student’s:
- Appointments
- Diagnoses
- Treatment
- Coverage details
Unless your student gives explicit written permission.
How Parents Can Help
- Encourage your student to establish a relationship with their PCP early
- Remind them they can self-schedule through MyChart anytime
- Suggest they seek care early rather than waiting
- Remind them of important coverage dates and deadlines
- Reinforce that Yale Health is confidential, supportive, and student-centered
FAQs
Getting Care
How does my student access care at Yale Health?
Students can schedule appointments directly through MyChart or call Acute Care for same-day needs. Care is designed to be easy and accessible.
What is Acute Care and when should my student use it?
Acute Care is available for urgent, same-day health concerns. Students should call first for guidance and then be seen by emergency-trained clinicians, often more quickly and in a calmer environment than a hospital emergency department.
Does my student have a regular clinician?
Yes. Every student is assigned a Primary Care Provider (PCP), who serves as their main healthcare contact and helps coordinate their care over time.
Supporting Your Student
How can I help my student stay healthy at Yale?
You can:
- Encourage regular check-ins with their PCP
- Remind them to use MyChart for scheduling
- Reinforce seeking care early
- Support healthy habits and stress management
Coverage & Services
What services are included for students?
Many services are included under Basic Student Health Services, such as primary care, Acute Care, Mental Health and Counseling, and preventive services. Additional services are available through the Hospitalization & Specialty Care Coverage plan.
Will my student be referred to specialists if needed?
Yes. PCPs coordinate referrals to specialists based on your student's coverage plan.
Privacy & Communication
Can Yale Health share information about my student’s health with me?
No. Federal and state privacy laws protect student health information. Yale Health cannot share details without the student’s written consent.
What should I do if I’m concerned about my student’s health?
The best step is to encourage your student to contact Yale Health directly—either through MyChart, by phone, or by calling Acute Care.
All students enrolled in a degree-seeking program at least half-time must provide proof of insurance to waive Yale Health Hospitalization & Specialty Care Coverage. Waivers must be completed each academic year.
Important Health Compliance & Enrollment Deadlines
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June 1
Early Start Health Compliance Deadline
Students in designated Early Start programs must complete all Health On Track requirements by June 1. Due to the shortened compliance period, registration holds may be applied immediately after the deadline.
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August 1
Fall Term Health Compliance Deadline
Submit all required Health On Track documentation by August 1 to satisfy Yale’s health requirements for the fall term.
Fall Term Coverage Begins
For returning students, Yale Health coverage begins August 1. New student and newly eligible student coverage start dates are based on orientation schedules or required campus arrival dates.
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September 15
Fall Term Coverage Waiver & Dependent Enrollment Deadline
Deadline to:
- Waive Yale Health Hospitalization & Specialty Care Coverage for the fall term or full year.
- Enroll eligible dependents for fall term or full-year coverage.
Note: Waivers and dependent enrollment forms must be completed annually.
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December 15
Spring Term Health Compliance Deadline
Students enrolling for the spring term must complete all Health On Track requirements by December 15.
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January 31
Fall Term Coverage Ends
Fall term coverage ends on January 31.
Spring Term Coverage Waiver & Dependent Enrollment Deadline
Deadline to:
- Waive Yale Health Hospitalization & Specialty Care Coverage for the spring term.
- Enroll eligible dependents for spring term coverage.
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February 1
Spring Term Coverage Begins
Spring-term coverage begins February 1.
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April 15 - June 12
Summer Term Health Compliance Deadlines
Summer session deadlines vary based on program. Students should review the relevant due dates for their summer session Health On Track requirements.
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July 31
Spring Term Coverage Ends
Spring term coverage ends July 31. Students remain covered through this date even if they graduate during the academic year.
Contact Us
If you have general questions about coverage, Yale Health Member Services is here to help:
- Email: member.services@yale.edu
- Phone: 203-432-0246
If you have questions regarding student health requirements and Health on Track please contact:
- yalecampushealth@yale.edu for general questions.
- campus.health.systems@yale.edu for health requirements and compliance-related questions, or Health On Track technical questions.
If your student has complex care needs, please contact our Student Health Care Navigator for assistance care coordination.