NYC Health + Hospitals Financial Assistance: Free Care at 200% FPL + NYC Care for All New Yorkers (2026 Guide)
NYC Health + Hospitals is the largest public health system in the United States, operating 11 acute care hospitals and more than 70 community health centers (Gotham Health) across all five boroughs of New York City. With flagship facilities like Bellevue, Elmhurst, Kings County, and Lincoln, the system serves over one million New Yorkers each year regardless of ability to pay. The NYC Care program provides ongoing access to primary and specialty care for uninsured NYC residents, including those without documentation. Financial assistance covers free care for patients at or below 200% FPL and sliding scale discounts for those at 201-400% FPL.
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Quick Eligibility Summary
Who Qualifies for NYC Health + Hospitals Financial Assistance?
100% Free Care (Charity Care)
Uninsured patients with household income at or below 200% of the Federal Poverty Level qualify for complete charity care. This means your entire hospital bill is written off. For a single person in 2026, 200% FPL is approximately $31,920/year. For a family of four, it is approximately $65,600/year. This applies at all 11 NYC Health + Hospitals acute care facilities and Gotham Health community health centers.
Discounted Care (201-400% FPL)
Uninsured patients with household income between 201% and 400% FPL qualify for discounted care on a sliding scale. The discount amount depends on where your income falls within this range. Financial counselors at any NYC Health + Hospitals facility can calculate your specific discount level based on your household size and income.
NYC Care (All Uninsured NYC Residents)
NYC Care is available to all uninsured New York City residents regardless of income level or immigration status. It provides a primary care provider, specialist referrals, prescription medications, and mental health services at low or no cost. Even if you do not qualify for charity care based on income, you can still enroll in NYC Care for ongoing healthcare access.
Emergency Care for All Patients
All 11 NYC Health + Hospitals acute care facilities provide emergency care to every patient regardless of residency, insurance status, or ability to pay. This is required by federal EMTALA law. If you receive emergency care, you should still apply for financial assistance afterward to address the bill.
NYC Care Program (Key Differentiator)
NYC Care is one of the most comprehensive municipal healthcare access programs in the country. It was designed specifically to fill the gap for New Yorkers who cannot get health insurance, including undocumented immigrants and others excluded from traditional coverage options. NYC Care is not health insurance. It is a program that guarantees access to affordable care within the NYC Health + Hospitals system.
What NYC Care provides:
- A dedicated primary care provider at a Gotham Health community health center or hospital clinic
- Specialist referrals within the NYC Health + Hospitals network
- Prescription medications at low or no cost through NYC Health + Hospitals pharmacies
- Mental health and behavioral health services
- A 24/7 customer service line for help with appointments and care navigation
- An NYC Care membership card that works like a health plan ID at all NYC H+H facilities
Who qualifies: Any uninsured New York City resident, regardless of income level or immigration status. You must live in one of the five boroughs (Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, the Bronx, or Staten Island). There is no citizenship requirement, no Social Security number requirement, and no immigration status check. Call 1-646-NYC-CARE (1-646-692-2273) to enroll.
11 Acute Care Hospitals Across NYC
NYC Health + Hospitals operates acute care hospitals in every borough. Financial assistance and NYC Care are available at all locations. Each hospital has an on-site financial counseling office.
Manhattan
- Bellevue Hospital Center (oldest public hospital in the US)
- Harlem Hospital Center
- Metropolitan Hospital Center
Brooklyn
- Coney Island Hospital
- Kings County Hospital Center
- Woodhull Medical Center
Queens
- Elmhurst Hospital Center
- Queens Hospital Center
The Bronx
- Jacobi Medical Center
- Lincoln Medical Center
- North Central Bronx Hospital
Tip: Each hospital has a financial counseling office where you can apply for assistance in person. You can also visit any of the 70+ Gotham Health community health centers for financial counseling and NYC Care enrollment.
Need Help with an NYC Health + Hospitals Bill?
CareRoute can help you understand your options, draft appeal letters, and navigate the financial assistance application process. Our tools are designed to help patients advocate for themselves effectively.
Try Bill DefenseNo Citizenship or Immigration Status Requirements
NYC Health + Hospitals is committed to serving all New Yorkers regardless of immigration status. This is a core part of the system's mission as a public safety-net provider. You do not need any immigration documentation to receive care or apply for financial assistance.
What you should know:
- No Social Security number required to apply for financial assistance or NYC Care
- No green card or visa required. Undocumented residents are welcome and protected
- Patient information is confidential. NYC Health + Hospitals does not share patient data with immigration enforcement agencies
- NYC Care is specifically designed for residents who cannot get insurance, including those excluded from coverage due to immigration status
NYC Executive Order 41: NYC Health + Hospitals facilities are designated as "safe spaces." Staff are prohibited from asking about immigration status unless it is necessary for treatment or benefits eligibility. Your health information is protected.
Multilingual Services and Language Access
NYC Health + Hospitals serves one of the most diverse patient populations in the world. Financial assistance applications, healthcare services, and patient communications are available in multiple languages. Interpreter services are provided at no cost at all facilities.
Language support includes:
- Financial assistance applications available in Spanish, Chinese, Russian, Bengali, Haitian Creole, Korean, Arabic, and other languages
- In-person interpreter services at all hospitals and Gotham Health centers
- Telephone interpreter services available in over 200 languages
- Bilingual and multilingual staff at many facilities, especially those in diverse neighborhoods like Elmhurst, Sunset Park, and Washington Heights
Tip: When you call or visit, request an interpreter if you need one. NYC Health + Hospitals is required by law to provide language access services at no cost to patients. Do not let a language barrier prevent you from applying for financial assistance.
Gotham Health Community Health Centers (70+ Locations)
Beyond its 11 hospitals, NYC Health + Hospitals operates over 70 Gotham Health community health centers throughout the five boroughs. These centers provide primary care, dental care, behavioral health, and other outpatient services. They are often the most accessible entry point for patients seeking ongoing care and financial assistance.
Gotham Health services include:
- Primary care and preventive health services
- Dental care at select locations
- Behavioral health and substance use treatment
- Women's health and pediatric services
- Pharmacy services at many locations
- On-site financial counseling and NYC Care enrollment
Finding a location: Visit nycHealthAndHospitals.org or call 1-844-NYC-4NYC to find the Gotham Health center nearest to you. Many centers are located in neighborhoods with limited access to private healthcare, making them a critical resource for underserved communities.
Mental Health and Behavioral Health Services
NYC Health + Hospitals is one of the largest providers of behavioral health services in New York City. Mental health care is covered under the financial assistance program and is accessible through NYC Care. Services are available at hospital locations and many Gotham Health centers.
- Outpatient psychiatry and therapy services
- Substance use disorder treatment and recovery programs
- Crisis services and psychiatric emergency care
- NYC Care members can access behavioral health services as part of their ongoing care plan
How to Apply for NYC Health + Hospitals Financial Assistance
Contact Financial Counseling
Call 1-844-NYC-4NYC (1-844-692-4692) or visit the financial counseling office at any NYC Health + Hospitals facility. You can also ask at registration, the emergency department, or any Gotham Health center for help connecting with a financial counselor. Counselors are available in multiple languages.
Gather Your Documents
You will typically need: proof of income (pay stubs, tax returns, or a statement of no income), proof of NYC residency (utility bill, lease, or government mail), and identification. A Social Security number is not required. Your financial counselor will confirm exactly what is needed for your situation.
Complete the Financial Assistance Application
Fill out the financial assistance application with help from your financial counselor. The application is available in multiple languages. Your counselor can also screen you for Medicaid, Essential Plan, or other programs you may qualify for before processing the charity care application.
Ask About NYC Care Enrollment
If you are uninsured, ask about enrolling in NYC Care at the same time. This gives you ongoing access to a primary care provider, specialists, prescriptions, and mental health services. NYC Care enrollment can happen at the same visit as your financial assistance application.
Submit and Follow Up
Submit your completed application with all documentation. Keep copies of everything you submit. Follow up within 2 weeks if you have not received confirmation. Ask for a timeline of when you can expect a determination.
Receive Your Determination
NYC Health + Hospitals will review your application and notify you of the decision. If approved at 200% FPL or below, your hospital balance will be written off entirely. If approved at 201-400% FPL, a sliding-scale discount will be applied. If you also enrolled in NYC Care, you will receive your NYC Care membership card for ongoing healthcare access.
If Your Application Is Denied
If NYC Health + Hospitals denies your financial assistance application, you still have options:
- 1.Request a written explanation of the denial reason. This helps you understand what to address in an appeal.
- 2.Appeal the decision. Ask your financial counselor about the appeal process. Provide additional documentation that addresses the specific denial reason, such as updated income verification or proof of NYC residency.
- 3.Request a payment plan. Even without charity care approval, NYC Health + Hospitals may offer interest-free or reduced payment plans to manage your balance over time.
- 4.Enroll in NYC Care. Even if denied for charity care on a specific bill, you may still qualify for NYC Care for ongoing healthcare access at low or no cost.
- 5.Contact the NYC Public Advocate's office or a community health advocacy organization if you believe the denial was unjust. As a public hospital system, NYC Health + Hospitals has obligations to the communities it serves.
Denied? Let Us Help You Appeal
CareRoute can help you draft an appeal letter, identify the right provisions to cite, and build a compelling case for why your NYC Health + Hospitals financial assistance application should be reconsidered.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is NYC Care and how is it different from financial assistance?
NYC Care is an ongoing healthcare access program that gives uninsured NYC residents a primary care provider, specialist referrals, and prescription medications at low or no cost. Financial assistance (charity care) covers specific hospital bills. You can apply for both. NYC Care provides continuous healthcare access, while financial assistance addresses individual bills you have already received.
Do I need to be a US citizen to get care at NYC Health + Hospitals?
No. NYC Health + Hospitals serves all patients regardless of immigration status. The NYC Care program is specifically designed for residents who cannot get health insurance, including undocumented immigrants. You do not need a Social Security number, green card, or any immigration documentation. Patient information is confidential and not shared with immigration enforcement agencies.
Which hospitals are part of NYC Health + Hospitals?
The system includes 11 acute care hospitals: Bellevue, Harlem, and Metropolitan in Manhattan; Coney Island, Kings County, and Woodhull in Brooklyn; Elmhurst and Queens in Queens; and Jacobi, Lincoln, and North Central Bronx in the Bronx. It also operates over 70 Gotham Health community health centers across all five boroughs. Financial assistance and NYC Care are available at all locations.
What income level qualifies for free care?
Uninsured patients with household income at or below 200% of the Federal Poverty Level qualify for 100% free care. For a single person in 2026, that is approximately $31,920/year. For a family of four, approximately $65,600/year. Patients at 201-400% FPL qualify for sliding scale discounts. NYC Care membership is available regardless of income for uninsured NYC residents.
Can I get prescription medications through NYC Health + Hospitals?
Yes. NYC Health + Hospitals operates pharmacies at its hospitals and many Gotham Health centers. Patients enrolled in NYC Care or approved for financial assistance can access prescriptions at reduced or no cost. The pharmacy program covers medications for chronic conditions, mental health, and acute needs. Ask your provider or financial counselor about pharmacy benefits.
Does NYC Health + Hospitals offer mental health services?
Yes. NYC Health + Hospitals is one of the largest providers of behavioral health services in New York City. Services include outpatient psychiatry, therapy, substance use disorder treatment, and crisis care. Mental health services are covered under financial assistance and accessible through NYC Care. Services are available at hospital locations and many Gotham Health centers.
What languages are supported?
NYC Health + Hospitals provides services and applications in multiple languages including Spanish, Chinese, Russian, Bengali, Haitian Creole, Korean, Arabic, and many others. Interpreter services are available in over 200 languages at no cost. Request an interpreter when you call or visit any facility.
How is NYC Care different from Medicaid or the Essential Plan?
Medicaid and the Essential Plan are state/federal insurance programs with specific eligibility rules, including immigration status requirements. NYC Care is a city program with no immigration status requirement that provides healthcare access within the NYC Health + Hospitals system. Financial counselors will first screen you for Medicaid or the Essential Plan, and if you do not qualify (often due to immigration status), they will enroll you in NYC Care.
Related Guides
New York state protections and other hospital systems serving NYC patients.
Last updated: May 2026. Information is based on publicly available NYC Health + Hospitals financial assistance policies and the NYC Care program. Always confirm current eligibility requirements directly with NYC Health + Hospitals financial counseling.