Dear parents and guardians of incoming Yale College students,
We in the office of first-year affairs are looking forward to welcoming the Class of 2029 at the end of the summer. If you will be on campus then, we look forward to welcoming you, too.
Over the summer, we will be including you on the weekly messages that we will be sending to incoming students so you will know what guidance we are giving them. We will be sending information about academics, health, and extracurricular life, among other topics. We will also be sending you information that will help you prepare for the transition ahead. This week's message, below, provides a general overview of academic summer planning, moving in, and Camp Yale (our name for first-year orientation).
We want to make sure our messages reach you. If you need to add or change an email address, please ask your student to update their records by following the instructions in the headnote of this week's message. Students are the only ones who can update these records, and they can change them any time they need to in the months and years ahead.
With best wishes from campus,
The First-Year Affairs Team
May 14, 2025
Dear Class of 2029,
This week's message, from Yale Student Health, explains how to start the health forms you will need to provide by August 1, many of them signed by your health care provider, and stresses the importance of making medical appointments now because they take time to schedule.
You will also want to read about the health care coverage in which you are automatically enrolled, and how to waive it if you have alternative coverage. You are required to have health insurance to cover hospitalization and medications.
Before closing with an introduction of the services available to you, the Student Health team urges you, as we do, to talk with your parents and guardians this summer about the transition ahead and what it means for managing your own health care, particularly if you have chronic or specific health care needs.
With best wishes from campus,
Hannah Rose Peck
Associate Dean of Student Affairs
Yale College Dean's Office
Dear Class of 2029,
Congratulations and welcome to Yale. We are excited to welcome you to campus! Below is a brief overview of services offered at Yale Health and links to our website.
Before you arrive, there are two critical health-related steps you need to take: complete your health requirements and review your medical insurance.
STEP 1
Complete your health requirements
All health requirements are due August 1*, many of them signed by a health care provider, so make your medical appointments now.
For an overview, go to New Student Health Requirements →
Begin the process by logging into Health On Track, Yale’s portal for completing online forms and submitting documentation to meet your requirements. Log into Health On Track NOW to complete initial steps.
- Once you have logged into Health on Track, select the “I am a new student…” option and follow the online steps. If you need them, instructions are available here.
- If you have been vaccinated in the United States, you may submit a query to state vaccine registries to satisfy immunization requirements. Within 10 minutes, a follow-up email to your new yale.edu email address will tell you if requirements have been successfully satisfied and instruct you on next steps.
- If you have outstanding vaccine or lab test requirements at the end of the process, you will need to print out your personalized Medical Requirements Form and bring it to your healthcare provider to complete.
- All international students not vaccinated in the U.S. must print the Medical Requirements Form and bring it to your health care provider to complete.
Completed forms must be uploaded to Health on Track no later than August 1.
* Students enrolled in Yale Summer Session, Athletics or First-Year Scholar program must meet earlier deadlines established by those programs.
STEP 2
Review your medical insurance
Please review:
Health Care Overview for Students at Yale →
or the
Student Guide to Yale Health →
Yale Health Basic Student Health Services
All students attending Yale at least half-time and working toward a Yale degree are automatically eligible for Yale Health Basic Student Health Services – no sign-up or fee required. This is not considered a health insurance plan.
Services Include:
- Student Health Visits
- Athletic Medicine (varsity athletes)
- Mental Health & Counseling
- Acute Care (walk-in, non-emergency)
- Gynecology
- Inpatient Care (4th floor infirmary)
- Blood Draw Services
- Emergency Contraception
- Nutrition Counseling
HEALTH INSURANCE REQUIREMENTS
All students attending Yale at least half-time and working toward a Yale degree are required to have health insurance to cover hospitalization and medications.
Automatic Enrollment & Fees: Students are automatically enrolled in and charged a fee for Yale Health Hospitalization & Specialty Care coverage.
Comprehensive Coverage: This plan includes Basic Student Health Services and offers a wide range of Specialty Services, as well as Obstetrics, Physical Therapy, Hospital and Emergency Services, Eye Care, Diagnostic Imaging, Pharmacy, on-site infusion services, and more.
Alternate Insurance Option: You may waive Yale Health Hospitalization & Specialty Care if you have comparable coverage with an alternate insurance plan (e.g., your family's plan).
Waiver Option: Use our Waiver Checklist to guide your decision.
Outside Insurance: Yale Health does not accept outside insurance. For services not included in Basic Student Health Services, you will need to use your alternate insurance outside of Yale Health.
Waiver deadlines: Fall term or full year: September 15
Spring term only: January 31
Be sure to review your coverage options carefully!
College is a time of great transition and managing your own healthcare for the first time might be new for many of you. We are here to help. We also encourage you to take some time this summer to speak with your parents and guardians about what it will mean to take charge of your own healthcare and how you can make a smooth transition to Yale Health. This discussion is especially important if you have a chronic medical condition or specific healthcare needs. Yale has great healthcare resources:
Yale Health is a multi-specialty group practice and HMO owned by Yale University. Care is provided at our state-of-the-art facility, Yale Health Center, walkable from most parts of campus and is close to the Yale Shuttle route. It offers: primary care, specialty care, acute care, mental health & counseling, radiology, blood draw, pharmacy, a 17-bed inpatient care unit, and more.
Student Health operates as a department within Yale Health. At Student Health, students have on-site access to primary care provided by doctors, physician associates, and advanced practice registered nurses; these primary care providers will coordinate all aspects of your and your dependents’ care. We offer telehealth, electronic messaging, and scheduling through our patient portal (MyChart), as well as 24/7 access to nurse assistance and advice over the phone. You’ll hear more about these services over the summer.
Student Health Care Navigator is a dedicated staff person ready to answer questions you have regarding benefits, coverage, and navigating your healthcare on campus. You can reach them at yhstudentnavigator@yale.edu.
Yale Health’s Member Services can answer questions about insurance coverage. Call 203- 432-0246 or email member.services@yale.edu. Keep in mind, your new student information will not be received by our team until late June.
Have a wonderful summer. We look forward to seeing you in August.
Kindest regards,
Student Health Department Leadership
Gordon Streeter MD, Chief of Student Health & Pediatrics
Lindsay Azulay, Assistant Director of Student Medicine and Vaccine Services
(203) 432-0312