NYC Health + Hospitals’ NYC Care Reaches Milestone of over 500,000 Calls Received at Call Center, Demonstrating Demand for the Program Jun 26, 2024

NYC Health + Hospitals’ NYC Care program today announced that over 500,000 calls have been received by the NYC Care call center, demonstrating consistent demand for the program since it launched in 2019. NYC Care members new to the health system were offered a primary care appointment within two weeks. The call center is available 24 hours a day, every day of the week, and serves as a one-stop shop for new and existing members. Existing NYC Care members can call the center at 646-692-2273 (646-NYC-CARE) to make, reschedule, or cancel appointments, request medication refills, replace membership cards, and start re-enrollment. Call center representatives can also answer questions about NYC Care and start the enrollment process for non-members.

“Serving 500,000 New Yorkers through our dedicated NYC Care hotline connecting them to high-quality, affordable health care is an achievement all New Yorkers can be proud of. It demonstrates our commitment to helping all who live in our city lead longer, healthier lives, regardless of immigration status or ability to pay,” said Jonathan Jiménez, MD, MPH, Executive Director of NYC Care at NYC Health + Hospitals. “I want to continue to urge New Yorkers to call our hotline at 646-692-2273 or visit our website at NYCCare.NYC, so they can learn more about the program and connect with primary care.”

In 2024, the call center has received more than 12,000 calls per month, reflecting the tremendous growth of the program. NYC Care has over 135,000 members, surpassing the 125,000 member milestone the program announced in February. The growth can be attributed to a number of factors, including the role of NYC Care community-based organization partners, partnerships with city agencies, and the launch of city-wide public awareness campaigns. All contribute to building trust amongst community members, who may avoid seeking services out of fear of an adverse impact to their immigration status or for being labeled a ‘public charge.’ Of the non-members who called the hotline in May, 2024, and were asked how they heard of the program, 41% mentioned they heard it from a friend or relative, 25% mentioned through a community-based organization, 18% mentioned the hospital/doctor’s office, with the rest largely spread out across advertising mediums.

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About NYC Care
NYC Care is a health care access program that provides comprehensive and low or no-cost healthcare services through NYC Health + Hospitals for New Yorkers who cannot afford or are ineligible for health insurance. NYC Care provides a membership card, 24/7 customer service, access to comprehensive and affordable healthcare services, like primary care, mental health services, and sexual and reproductive healthcare, low-cost medications, and member materials in multiple languages – regardless of your immigration status or ability to pay. Call 646-NYC-CARE (646-692-2273) or visit NYCCare.NYC to learn more and sign up today – privacy and confidentiality guaranteed.

About NYC Health + Hospitals
NYC Health + Hospitals is the largest municipal health care system in the nation. We are a network of 11 hospitals, trauma centers, neighborhood health centers, nursing homes, and post-acute care centers. We are a home care agency and a health plan, MetroPlus. Our health system provides essential services to more than one million New Yorkers every year in more than 70 locations across the city’s five boroughs. Our diverse workforce of more than 43,000 employees is uniquely focused on empowering New Yorkers, without exception, to live the healthiest life possible. For more information, visit www.nychealthandhospitals.org and stay connected on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn.