Healthcare is a Human Right — NYC Care Ensures Every New York City Resident Has Access to Healthcare

In an exclusive interview with LittleAfrica News, Dr. Jonathan Jiménez discussed the NYC Care program and the wide range of member benefits for NYC residents. He stressed the importance of everyone having access to health care services to ensure they live long, healthy lives.

NYC Care is a healthcare access program. The program provides access to health care in New York City Health + Hospitals locations to those who are ineligible for health insurance, or who cannot afford the health insurance that they are eligible for. To date, the program has connected over 110,000 New Yorkers to health and hospital facilities. 75% of people who used the program also saw a primary care physician following their first visit within two weeks. 

Anyone in New York City can enroll, regardless of income level or immigration status. New Yorkers that are not eligible for health insurance can still receive healthcare access and seek care. The NYC Care program is offered at all NYC public hospitals throughout the five boroughs. Several clinics throughout the city have also partnered with the program to provide services such as vaccinations, mammograms, x-rays, and other services. 

Once signed up for the NYC Care program, members receive a card granting them access to all clinics and hospitals within the network, including specialty doctors such as OB-GYNs, podiatrists, and optometrists.

There are 11 hospitals and over 70 clinics within the NYC Care network. Prescriptions are available for pickup at the hospital and select clinics on the same day as appointments. 

Flyers and health documents are available in a variety of languages to ensure accessibility for members, including immigrant communities. Customer representatives who speak a variety of languages are available on-site at the hospitals as well as virtually and over the phone at service call centers. 

NYC Care accepts a variety of identification documents to minimize barriers to treatment. The program accepts foreign identification from other countries. In recent weeks, there has been an update to the program, allowing any person who is a resident of New York City to enroll in NYC Care regardless of how long they have been in the city. The previous policy required documentation that an individual was in the city for a minimum of 6 months, but this minimum has been lifted. Individuals that have just arrived in New York City will now be eligible to apply and become a member of NYC Care and begin receiving treatment and meeting with primary care physicians immediately. 

The NYC Care program was created to take a weight off the shoulders of the immigrant community by allowing free to low-cost treatment. There is a quick turnaround in regards to doctors’ appointments and treatments.

Immigrant communities no longer need to fear whether or not they will have access to healthcare in New York City.

In order to enroll in the program or learn more about benefits, you can call the 24/7 hotline at (646) 692-2273 or visit nyccare.nyc