NYC Health + Hospitals, NYC Mayor’s Public Engagement Unit, NY State of Health, NYC Human Resources Administration, and NYC Department of Health & Mental Hygiene Host Health Care Access Webinars Dec 8, 2023

Partnership leverages key stakeholders across City and State to ensure New Yorkers are aware of the range of quality health care options available to them during the open enrollment period

Recordings of the virtual webinar series, which launched in English and Spanish on December 5th and 6th, respectively, are available for those unable to attend

NYC Health + Hospitals’ (H+H) NYC Care program, the NYC Mayor’s Public Engagement Unit’s (PEU) GetCoveredNYC program, NY State of Health, the NYC Human Resources Administration’s (HRA) Office of Citywide Health Insurance Access, and the NYC Department of Health & Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) concluded a virtual webinar series to inform New Yorkers of the health insurance and health care access programs available to them. The information sessions streamed on Facebook in English and Spanish on December 5th and 6th, respectively, from 2-3 PM. The recording for the session in English can be accessed here, and the recording for the session in Spanish can be accessed here. The sessions, the second iteration of a series launched last year, are geared toward all New Yorkers who are weighing the health care options available to them during the open enrollment period for health insurance from NY State of Health. They feature an overview of the range of health coverage options available, the role of the participating agencies in supporting enrollment, and conclude with a question and answer segment open to the public. The speakers encourage all New Yorkers, regardless of immigration status or ability to pay, to seek the primary, specialty, and preventive care needed to lead longer, healthier lives.

The speakers included:

  • Alexa Liguori (moderator), Public Health Educator, PEU’s GetCoveredNYC program
  • Stana Nakhle, NYC Director of Outreach, NY State of Health
  • Juan Maranon, Specialist in Communications and Community Relations, NYSOH
  • Audrey M. Diop, Managing Executive Director, HRA/DSS Office of Citywide Health Insurance Access
  • Maria Ortiz-Quezada, Director, Eligibility Information Services, HRA/DSS Office of Constituent Services
  • Suzanne Lewis, Director of Training and Outreach, DOHMH
  • Paula Barbier, Site Supervisor, DOHMH
  • Jonathan Jiménez, MD, MPH, Executive Director, H+H’s NYC Care program
  • Daisy Bugarin, North Manhattan & Bronx Team Leader, PEU’s GetCoveredNYC program

“The Health Insurance Unwrapped sessions are an essential tool for ensuring we can build a healthier city for all,” said Jonathan Jiménez, MD, MPH, Executive Director of NYC Care from NYC Health + Hospitals. “I am thrilled to join the second iteration of this series, and I thank the participating agencies for joining me. All New Yorkers are entitled to health care, regardless of immigration status or ability to pay, and should visit NYCCare.NYC to learn more.”

 “Our mission at the Public Engagement Unit is to proactively engage New Yorkers to ensure they have the information they need to access critical benefits, including health coverage,” said Adrienne Lever, Executive Director of the Public Engagement Unit (PEU). “These multilingual Facebook Live events are just one example of the innovative tools we are using to reach New Yorkers and we are grateful to our partners for helping us to spread the word about the upcoming enrollment deadline on December 15.”

“The State Health Department and NY State of Health are committed to improving the health of our communities through quality and affordable health insurance coverage,” said NY State Health Commissioner Dr. James McDonald. “The goal of these webinars is to make finding comprehensive health insurance a little easier.”

“With close to seven million enrollees now covered through the Marketplace, NY State of Health has made it a priority to educate New Yorkers on finding health insurance that is comprehensive and affordable, no matter their circumstances or income,” said NY State of Health Executive Director Danielle Holahan. “Access to quality and low-cost coverage is a significant driver for wellness in communities. We remain committed to reducing the state’s uninsured rate, to support the health of all New Yorkers.”

“Educating New Yorkers about the health insurance options available to them is a critical first step in connecting more people, especially our vulnerable and low-income neighbors, to the affordable coverage and quality healthcare they deserve,” said Audrey Diop, Managing Executive Director of HRA Office of Citywide Health Insurance Access. “These webinars are an excellent way to reach people where they are and demystify the health insurance enrollment process. I am grateful for the opportunity to participate in these sessions and join our partners in communicating this critical information directly to New Yorkers.”

“We recently launched an initiative – titled HealthyNYC – to promote longer, healthier lives in New York City,” said Health Department Chief Medical Officer and Deputy Commissioner, Dr. Michelle Morse. “A core component of the plan is to ensure people have access to high quality primary health care. Every part of government has a stake in helping New Yorkers navigate the process of enrolling in health insurance. Cross agency events like these live webinars will allow New Yorkers to get insured and more easily connect with a provider.”

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MEDIA CONTACT: Press Office, 212-788-3339

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.

About the NYC Public Engagement Unit
The NYC Public Engagement Unit (PEU) was created to develop a new model for government outreach, using community organizing principles to re-envision how the City provides services to its most vulnerable communities. Rather than expecting constituents to navigate a complex City bureaucracy to get the help they need, PEU adopts grassroots tactics to meet residents where they are – at their doors and on their phones, in their social media feeds and in their communities. We marry this proactive outreach with comprehensive case management to provide New Yorkers with personalized, passionate care. GetCoveredNYC is a PEU program that provides free assistance for New Yorkers seeking to enroll in health care, regardless of immigration status or income. Our Specialists speak more than 20 languages and conduct outreach to proactively identify uninsured New Yorkers and help them get access to health care and other health-related benefits. For more information, visit nyc.gov/PEU and stay connected on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/MayorsPEU or Twitter at @MayorsPEU.

MEDIA CONTACT: peupress@hra.nyc.gov

About GetCoveredNYC
GetCoveredNYC provides free assistance for New Yorkers seeking to enroll in health care, regardless of immigration status or income. Our Specialists speak more than 20 languages and conduct outreach to proactively identify uninsured New Yorkers and help them get access to health care and other health-related benefits. Contact GetCoveredNYC:

About NY State of Health
New York opened its health plan Marketplace, NY State of Health, in October 2013.  The Marketplace’s one stop health insurance shopping experience offers high quality comprehensive health plans.  NY State of Health is the only place where consumers can qualify to get help paying for coverage through premium discounts or tax credits.  Eligible New Yorkers can also enroll in Medicaid, Child Health Plus and the Essential Plan through the Marketplace all year.  For more information about the NY State of Health Marketplace, please visit https://nystateofhealth.ny.gov, call Customer Service at 1-855-355-5777, (TTY: 1-800-662-1220), or find an enrollment assistor.

About the Department of Social Services (DSS)
The Department of Social Services, comprised of the Human Resources Administration (HRA) and the Department of Homeless Services (DHS), serves millions of New Yorkers annually through a broad range of services that aim to address poverty, income inequality, and prevent homelessness. HRA serves over three million New Yorkers through the administration of more than 12 major public assistance programs. DHS oversees a broad network of shelters, services, and outreach programs dedicated to helping New Yorkers experiencing homelessness get back on their feet. DSS is central to the City’s mission to expand opportunity for more New Yorkers, address income inequality, help New Yorkers experiencing homelessness stabilize their lives, and ensure that vulnerable New Yorkers receive the benefits and assistance for which they may be eligible.

About the NYC HRA/DSS Office of Citywide Health Insurance Access
The NYC Human Resources Administration Department of Social Services Office of Citywide Health Insurance Access’s (OCHIA) mission is to improve access to health insurance for all New Yorkers. OCHIA works to connect New York City residents and small business owners to coverage and care. OCHIA helps people over 65 years old, living with a disability, or visually impairment enroll in Medicaid programs.  We deliver outreach, education, and presentations on public and private health insurance as well as conduct policy research and analysis to inform our efforts and help improve access to coverage for all New Yorkers.

OCHIA partners with public and private organizations to make health insurance enrollment assistance available on-site at city offices and events in neighborhoods throughout the 5 boroughs. OCHIA serves all New Yorkers, with a special focus on persons least likely to have health insurance, including immigrants, freelancers, small business owners and workers, and young adults.

About NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene
With more than 6,000 staff across the five boroughs, the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (NYC Health Department) is one of the largest public health agencies in the world. The agency works to protect and promote the health of 8 million New Yorkers. The Office of Health Insurance Services Unit at the NYC Health Department, helps connect uninsured New Yorkers to health insurance options and enroll them into coverage. The NYC Health Department’s Certified Application Counselors (CACs) provide enrollment services in multiple languages at Health Department health centers throughout NYC.