New York Health + Hospitals Expands Health Program for the Uninsured

October 2019 ~

On October 4, New York City’s public hospital system, NYC Health + Hospitals, established a new program to provide health care to New York City’s uninsured, called NYC Care. The program originally launched in August and has a current enrollment of 5,000 people, and will expand into Brooklyn and Staten Island in January 2020.

According to the press release, the program, which is now operating in the Bronx and will be available citywide by the end of 2020, is expected to dramatically change the way the City’s public health system connects people to personalized, coordinated primary and preventive care at its 70-plus patient care locations throughout the five boroughs, including 11 hospitals and its Gotham Health Federally-Qualified Health Center (FQHC) network.

Of the current members, nearly 70% are between 30 and 59 years of age, and 61.8% are Spanish speakers. Over 70% of members are below 100% of the Federal Poverty Level. Sixty-one percent of current members identify as female.

Approximately 27.8% of Brooklyn residents and 5.9% of Staten Island residents are not eligible for health insurance. In preparation for the launch, the public health system has issued a request for proposals (RFP) to partner with community-based organizations (CBOs) in both boroughs to help engage prospective NYC Care members. The program is on track to meet its first enrollment goal of 10,000 patients in the first six months.

“The NYC Care program has achieved this enrollment milestone in the Bronx because it addresses a critical need for simple connections to free and low-cost primary and preventive care,” said State Senator Gustavo Rivera, Chair of the Senate Health Committee. “I commend the NYC Health and Hospitals system for welcoming every New Yorker in need of an affordable, accessible health care program and helping us reduce emergency room visits for those who have nowhere else to go. I look forward to more New Yorkers enjoying access to this innovative program in Brooklyn and Staten Island.”

Source(s): NYC.gov; NYC Health + Hospitals; NYC Care;