Yale Dean’s Office Backs Student Healthcare Transport Reimbursements

The Yale College Dean’s Office is stepping in to fund a student-run program that reimburses transportation costs to medical facilities, easing the financial strain on students seeking healthcare.

Removing Financial Barriers to Medical Care

For many students, the expense of getting to and from medical appointments can be a real obstacle. Late-night trips to Yale Health or nearby hospitals often come with hefty rideshare fees.

Recognizing this issue, the Yale College Council (YCC) launched the Healthcare Transportation Reimbursement Program last year. The initiative aims to alleviate the financial burden that prevents students from accessing necessary medical attention.

Originally, the YCC considered expanding shuttle services to include Yale Health. However, logistical challenges made this unfeasible.

According to Surabhi Kumar ’26, YCC health and accessibility policy director, the streets near Yale Health are too narrow for shuttle buses to navigate.

As a result, rideshare services became the most practical solution for non-emergency medical transportation.

Administrative Support and Program Expansion

This year, the Dean’s Office has agreed to fund reimbursements beyond the YCC’s initial budget of $1,000. The move signifies administrative recognition of the program’s importance.

The YCC anticipates that the Dean’s Office will fully assume funding responsibilities as early as next year. This transition is expected to streamline the reimbursement process and ensure the program’s sustainability.

Associate Dean of Student Affairs Hannah Peck mentioned that data from this year will help determine the necessary financial support.

The Dean’s Office already reimburses First-Year Counselors for accompanying students to Yale Health, providing a framework for broader student reimbursements.

Data-Driven Approach to Healthcare Accessibility

Collecting accurate data has been crucial for the program’s development. Last year’s pilot saw over 100 reimbursements, averaging $17.33 per round trip.

This information helped the YCC set the current reimbursement cap at $30 for round trips, or $15 each way. Students submit receipts through a Google Form to receive funds.

In the program’s first month this year, around 20 reimbursement requests were processed. The YCC expects demand to increase during the winter months.

By demonstrating consistent need, the YCC strengthens its case for continued administrative support.

Managing Reimbursements and Looking Ahead

The YCC Finance Team currently handles the distribution of reimbursements. They aim to make the process as seamless as possible for students.

Key points about the reimbursement process:

• Maximum of $30 per round trip
• Receipts submitted via Google Form
• Applicable for non-emergency medical visits

The team is optimistic about the program’s future. YCC finance directors Ethan Hsu ’27 and Adnan Bseisu ’26 believe that the data collected strengthens the argument for administrative funding.

A summary of reimbursement requests:

The integration of the program into the Dean’s Office promises to enhance healthcare accessibility for all undergraduates.