NYC Care, GetCoveredNYC join forces to promote primary care access for New Yorkers

In a significant collaborative effort to prioritize primary healthcare access for New Yorkers, NYC Health + Hospitals’ NYC Care program has teamed up with the Mayor’s Public Engagement Unit (PEU).

This partnership, unveiled during National Primary Care Week, aims to ensure that NYC Care members across the city are well-connected to primary care services.

NYC Care is a vital healthcare access initiative that offers comprehensive and affordable healthcare services through NYC Health + Hospitals to New Yorkers who face financial barriers or are ineligible for health insurance.

The joint endeavor is designed to underscore the importance of primary care, guide NYC Care members on scheduling primary care appointments with NYC Health + Hospitals, and educate them on using the MyChart app to manage their health benefits effectively.

Mayor Adams’ leadership has paved the way for the GetCoveredNYC team to reach out to approximately 30,000 NYC Care members who have yet to schedule their first primary care appointments.

This outreach effort involves addressing frequently asked questions, emphasizing the benefits of primary care, and connecting members with specialists from NYC Care’s 24/7 hotline to facilitate the process of finding a primary care provider.

Crucially, the outreach team is multilingual, capable of communicating with members in English, Spanish, Chinese, Bengali, and French.

For those who speak other languages, the NYC Care hotline offers interpretation services in over two hundred languages.

This partnership between GetCoveredNYC and NYC Care is a component of Mayor Adams’ broader agenda to enhance public health in New York City.

This agenda includes substantial investments in mental health support, lifestyle medicine training for healthcare professionals, and initiatives to improve access to reproductive healthcare.

Anne Williams-Isom, Deputy Mayor for Health and Human Services, expressed the importance of NYC Care in helping tens of thousands of New Yorkers access healthcare.

She encouraged all program enrollees to connect with a primary care provider for routine check-ups.

Jonathan Jiménez, MD, MPH, Executive Director of NYC Care, highlighted the program’s role in offering essential services to New Yorkers, regardless of immigration status or financial circumstances.

NYC Care is pivotal in ensuring that individuals receive primary and specialty care as well as affordable prescription medications day or night.

Dr. Jiménez urged both new and potential members to reach out to the program for assistance.

The Mayor’s Public Engagement Unit, led by Executive Director Adrienne Lever, emphasized the importance of connecting New Yorkers with the healthcare coverage they need to access preventive health services.

Lever highlighted GetCoveredNYC’s commitment to bridging gaps in healthcare access, particularly in partnership with NYC Care.

Health Commissioner Dr. Ashwin Vasan emphasized that “high-quality primary healthcare is essential for public health and the well-being of all New Yorkers.”

He commended the collaborative efforts of different government departments in facilitating access to healthcare.

Manuel Castro, Commissioner of the NYC Mayor’s Office of Immigrant Affairs, praised the city’s commitment to providing healthcare for all, regardless of immigration status or financial ability, and encouraged both NYC Care members and non-members to learn about the program and schedule primary care appointments.

Representatives from community organizations, such as Jairo Guzmán, President of Mexican Coalition, and Emira Habiby Browne, Founder and CEO of the Center for the Integration and Advancement of New Americans, echoed their support for NYC Care’s efforts to improve healthcare access for immigrants and all New Yorkers.

Over the past year, NYC Care and GetCoveredNYC have collaborated on numerous initiatives, including health fairs, virtual webinars, and a healthcare week of action.

These efforts have contributed to a 5.4% increase in NYC Care enrollment from Fiscal Year 2022 to Fiscal Year 2023, reaching a total of 119,234 members.

In June, NYC Care released a study highlighting its success in connecting new members to primary and specialty care. Notably, 76.9% of new NYC Care members returned for an additional primary care visit within their first year, emphasizing the program’s role in promoting a healthy and thriving city.

In conclusion, NYC Care and GetCoveredNYC’s collaboration represents a significant stride toward ensuring primary care access for all New Yorkers, furthering the goal of a healthier, more resilient city. Primary care remains pivotal in maintaining overall health, and NYC Care continues to be a cornerstone in delivering essential healthcare services to those who need them most.