Visitor Guide
Here is what a Saturday at HAVEN actually looks like: how to check in, how long to plan for, what happens during your appointment, and how to book or cancel one. If anything below is still unclear, call us at (203) 200-0673 and we will walk you through it.
- Prepare a list of all current medications, including dosages
- Write down any questions or concerns you want to discuss with your provider
- If you need language interpretation, please let us know when you call to schedule so we can arrange a translator
- When you arrive, check in at the front desk on Floor 1 of the Yale Physicians Building at 800 Howard Avenue. Free parking is available in the Howard Avenue Garage, located to the left of the building
- You will complete a brief intake form and have your vitals taken (blood pressure, heart rate, temperature, and weight)
- A student clinician will meet with you first, followed by a supervising physician who will review your care
- Depending on your needs, you may also meet with our social services, pharmacy, or behavioral health teams
- Plan for several hours on a first visit, especially if it has been a long time since you last saw a primary care provider. Follow-up visits are usually shorter. We appreciate your patience as we work to provide thorough care
- If medications are prescribed, they will typically be ready for pickup at the pharmacy we assigned you by the Wednesday after your visit
- Follow-up appointments can be scheduled before you leave or by calling (203) 200-0673
- Lab results will be reviewed by your care team and communicated to you at your next visit or by phone
- If you need referrals to specialists, our care coordination team will help arrange those appointments
- For urgent concerns between visits, call our clinic line and leave a message. A team member will return your call
- "I need insurance to be seen." HAVEN is for adults who have no health insurance at all. You do not need insurance to be seen here. But if you already have coverage, including HUSKY, you are not eligible and we will point you to a clinic that can see you
- "I need to be a U.S. citizen." We welcome all patients regardless of immigration or citizenship status
- "Student-run means lower quality." All care is supervised by licensed Yale physicians. Student clinicians work under direct attending oversight
- "I can only come once." We encourage ongoing care. Many of our patients return regularly for chronic condition management and preventive visits
- "There is a fee I don't know about." Your visit is free and there are no hidden fees. Medications are the one place you may be asked to pay. You cover anything priced under $25, and for medications at or above $25 we screen for your ability to pay and work with you on the cost. No one is ever denied a medication because they cannot pay
Between-Visit Questions: Our Triage Line
HAVEN Free Clinic maintains a triage line for patients who have medical questions or concerns between clinic visits. The triage line is a monitored voicemail inbox. When you call, leave a message with your name, date of birth, a callback number, and a brief description of your concern.
Our team monitors the line regularly and will do our best to get back to you the same day. Depending on the nature of your request, it may take 1 to 2 business days for a full response.
When leaving a voicemail, please include:
- Your full name and date of birth
- A callback number where we can reach you
- A brief description of your question or concern
If you are experiencing a medical emergency, do not call the triage line. Call 911 immediately or go to your nearest emergency room. The triage line is not staffed 24/7 and is not equipped to respond to emergencies.