Member Update - August 2025
In this update:
- Know Your Coverage at Yale Health
- Expanded Access to Yale Medicine Specialists within Bridgeport Hospital
- Mobile Mammography Van Coming to Yale Health Center
- Flu and COVID Vaccination Clinics Coming!
- Back-to-School Planning Tips
- Preventing Tick Bites
Know Your Coverage at Yale Health
Your Yale Health coverage is tailored for your role at the University — whether student, faculty, or staff. All healthcare services are provided at the Yale Health Center unless a primary care clinician refers you to an outside specialist; prior authorization is required for all referrals. There are no limitations for pre-existing conditions, and most preventive, diagnostic, and treatment services involve no deductibles and no claim forms.
Explore our coverage documents for more information:
Schedule of Benefits: Detailed list of covered services, treatments, and cost-sharing amounts.
Summary of Benefits and Coverage: Key features of Yale Health coverage, including benefits, cost-sharing provisions, and coverage limitations, provided under the Affordable Care Act.
Employee Member Coverage Booklet: In-depth explanation of benefits and coverage provided under your Yale Health employee plan, detailing rights, obligations, and how benefits are paid.
Yale Health has a team of Member Services Representatives and even a dedicated Member Liaison available to answer all your Yale Health benefits and coverage questions. Our Ask Yale Health Chatbot is a 24/7 option for your questions.
Expanded Access to Yale Medicine Specialists within Bridgeport Hospital
Effective July 1, 2025, Yale Health members now have expanded access to Yale Medicine specialists within Bridgeport Hospital and its campuses. This includes in-network access to Bridgeport Hospital, Bridgeport Hospital-Milford Campus, and Park Avenue Medical Center. Members can receive seamless specialist and surgical care, consistent out-of-pocket costs, and emergency care at these locations with the same copay as Yale New Haven Hospital.
Remember to bring your ID cards to appointments for check-in and registration. For more information, contact Member Services at 203-432-0246 or via email at member.services@yale.edu.
Mobile Mammography Van Coming to Yale Health Center
The Yale-New Haven Health (YNHH) Mobile Mammography van will be stationed at the corner of Sachem Street and Winchester Avenue, near Yale Health Center, to enhance access and convenience for our members. To schedule an appointment, call 203-688-1010 and request the van.
Breast Cancer Screening Recommendations:
Screenings starting at age 40 (USPSTF).
Higher-risk individuals should consult their clinician. For any questions, contact your clinician via MyChart or call (203) 432-0222.
Flu and COVID Vaccination Clinics Coming!
Our Flu and COVID vaccination clinics will begin in late September. We will offer walk-in clinics for adults at Yale Health Center (55 Lock Street, New Haven).
Saturday scheduled “family vaccine” clinics will return this year for parents and their children in Pediatrics.
As in years past, we will also hold vaccination clinics at different locations around campus to ensure easy access for all members.
The complete schedules for these vaccination clinics will be available on our website in September and will be featured in our next Member Update.
Stay tuned for more details, and make sure to protect yourself and your loved ones by getting vaccinated!
Back to School Planning!
As the new school year approaches, Yale Health Pediatrics is happy to share some essential tips from the American Academy of Pediatrics to help ensure your child has a safe, healthy, and happy start.
Before the first day, make the transition smoother by visiting the new school or classroom with your child. Here are a few quick tips to get you started:
- Easing the First Day Jitters: Visit the new school or classroom, attend orientations, and help your child feel comfortable.
- Healthy Sleep Routine: Adjust to earlier bedtimes and establish a calming bedtime routine.
- Safe Travel to and from School: Review basic travel rules, whether it's taking the bus, biking, or walking.
- Nutritious Food Options: Ensure your child has access to healthy meals and snacks throughout the day.
- Backpack Safety: Choose the right backpack and use it properly to avoid strain.
- Bullying Prevention: Teach your child how to handle bullying and seek help when needed.
- Good Homework & Study Habits: Create a homework-friendly environment and establish a study routine.
For more detailed tips and insights, check out the comprehensive guide by the American Academy of Pediatrics:
Preventing Tick Bites
We want to help your family enjoy the rest of the summer and fall seasons while staying safe from outdoor hazards, particularly ticks. Tick bites are common during the warmer months, and while only a small percentage result in disease, prevention and prompt action are crucial. Our Yale Health Pediatrics team would like to share important information on how to prevent tick bites and what to do if you or your child is bitten.
Prevention of tick bites:
- When outdoors, avoid contact with tall grasses and shrubs that may be harboring ticks.
- Wear close-toed shoes and light-colored clothing so that ticks will be visible.
- After spending time outdoors, check your child’s body for ticks.
- Tip: Ticks like to hide in your hair, in the groin, under your arms, behind your knees, and behind your ears.
- Check pets regularly for ticks and talk to your vet about the best way to prevent ticks.
- Consider using a tick repellant on exposed skin and clothing. Higher concentrations of DEET are required for ticks vs. mosquitos. However, it is best to avoid using DEET products in children under 2 years of age.
Watch for signs of tick-borne illness in the days and weeks following a tick bite:
- Red ring-like rash at the site of the bite (usually larger than a quarter)
- Rashes at other sites on the body (some may have no rash at all)
- Other symptoms to monitor:
- Fever
- Swollen joint (often the knee)
- Fatigue
- Headache
By following these guidelines, you can significantly reduce the risk of tick-borne illnesses and keep your family safe. Remember, if you have any concerns or questions about tick bites or Lyme Disease, do not hesitate to reach out to our Pediatrics department at 203-432-0206.