Member Update - October 2024
- Acute Care: The only covered urgent care in CT
- Flu/COVID clinics open
- MagellanRx is now Prime Therapeutics
- Opportunity awaits you
- Employee Spotlight: Empowering children
- New clinicians join Yale Health
Acute Care Services: Stay Prepared This Cold and Flu Season
As we approach cold and flu season, we’d like to remind everyone about using Yale Health Acute Care and “urgent care” services in Connecticut and beyond. For questions on coverage and care, please refer to the Yale Health Employee Coverage Booklet and your Schedule of Benefits.
For life-threatening emergencies, always call 911.
Acute Care Services
- Definition of Urgent/Acute Condition: An acute condition is a sudden illness or injury requiring immediate attention but not life-threatening.
- Acute Care in-person visit hours: 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m., seven days per week.
- Pediatric Acute Care Provider: Available from 10:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. on Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays.
- Contact: Before coming in, call Acute Care at 203-432-0123. Nurse triage phone consultation calls are available 24 hours daily, including weekends and holidays.
- A triage nurse will ask detailed questions about your condition and determine the best plan for your care, which may include:
- A visit with an Acute Care provider
- Scheduling an appointment with your primary care team
- Self-care at home
- Visiting the Emergency Department
- A triage nurse will ask detailed questions about your condition and determine the best plan for your care, which may include:
Coverage Details
- At Yale Health Center: Urgent care is covered at 100% when received at the Yale Health Center. A copay may apply for after-hours visits (6:00 p.m. – 7:59 a.m. on weekdays, as well as weekends, University holidays and recess days). This is the only covered location in CT.
- Out-of-Area Coverage: If you are outside Connecticut, you are considered out-of-area and may receive urgent care at any medical facility (a copay may apply).
Non-Urgent Care
If you seek care from an urgent care provider for a non-urgent condition, the plan will not cover the expenses.
Fall Vaccines are Here!
Yale Health offers all Yale Health members influenza (flu) and COVID vaccines. With respiratory viruses like flu, COVID, and RSV circulating together, vaccination is crucial to mitigating their impact on your health and our community.
Why Should You Get the Flu Shot?
It is safe, effective, and recommended for everyone 6 months and older. For the best protection, aim to get your flu shot in September or October. The CDC has confirmed that individuals with egg allergies can now safely receive any flu vaccine.
COVID Update
An updated COVID vaccine, designed to provide better protection against current variants, is available. Yale Health members can be vaccinated through the Yale Flu and COVID Vaccine Program.
How to Schedule Vaccines
Getting your vaccines is free and easy! Use our streamlined Flu and COVID Vaccine Scheduler to book your appointment. If you need assistance with scheduling, please call 203-432-8797.
Children can get their flu shot during a visit or at our Family Flu clinics, where adults can be vaccinated simultaneously (choose the Adult/Pediatric Saturday Family Flu clinic when scheduling).
Magellan Rx is now Prime Therapeutics
Yale Health uses Magellan Rx Pharmacy Home Delivery for pharmacy home delivery, which is undergoing a rebranding to Prime Therapeutics. The transition will give Prime Therapeutics a fresh look while maintaining the same reliability and personalized service to Yale Health Members.
Your current prescriptions and medication management will remain seamless during this transition.
Keep an eye out for their new branding on their website!
Patient and Family Council: Opportunity awaits you!
This group plays a key role in shaping Yale Health’s future by advising on programs and services that impact patients, families, and staff. As a member, you’ll collaborate with leadership, provide feedback on projects, and contribute to discussions on healthcare services. Whether you're a newer or veteran member (or family member) at Yale Health, this is a great chance to help improve Yale Health’s care and services.
For more information or to apply, visit our Patient Partner Opportunities page.
A Creative Approach to Pediatric Care
Yale Health would like to recognize Sabrina Maher, RN, one of our exceptional nurses, for her thoughtful and innovative approach to pediatric care.
A parent brought her children to Acute Care due to an illness. During the visit, one child had trouble sitting still, constantly reaching out to touch and play with the readily accessible equipment in the room. When the mother quietly shared her concerns, Sabrina responded with creativity and compassion, turning the moment into an opportunity for engagement.
Sabrina involved both children in the care process, having the siblings take turns assisting with each other’s vitals.
This simple yet powerful act kept the child occupied and empowered both children, making them feel included and valued in their care. The parent was deeply impressed with Sabrina's gentle and inclusive approach. Sabrina’s dedication to providing personalized, empathetic care highlights her incredible ability to think independently, creating a positive experience for the entire family.
We are grateful for Sabrina’s contributions and proud to have her on our team!
New Primary Care Clinicians Join Yale Health
Yalitza Wright, APRN
Education: Yalitza earned her undergraduate degree from Southern Connecticut State University and completed her advanced training and degree at Sacred Heart University.
Professional Experience: After completing an APRN residency at a community health center, she worked as an internal medicine provider for three years before joining Yale Health.
FYI: Yalitza has a passion for serving diverse communities. During her training, she traveled to Guatemala twice to provide care to underserved populations. Fluent in Spanish, she delivers compassionate and accessible care to all her patients.
Jill Karten, MD
Education: Dr. Jill Karten holds an undergraduate degree from Macaulay Honors College at Queens College, where she majored in Urban Studies and focused her thesis on the shortage of primary care physicians and the de-personalization of medicine. She received her MD from SUNY Downstate and completed her residency at Northwell Health on Long Island.
Professional Experience: Dr. Karten brings experience from NYU Langone Health on Long Island, with a strong focus on equitable healthcare. Her research on fertility outcomes in resource-limited clinics and the impact of BMI on embryo transfer underscores her commitment to improving patient care.
FYI: Originally from New York, Dr. Karten is dedicated to addressing healthcare disparities and ensuring equitable access for all patients.