Health Insurance & Medical Costs · Surprise rank #358
Uninsured in NYC? Get Low- or No-Cost Doctors and Prescriptions Through NYC Care
NYC Care guarantees low-to-no-cost primary and specialty care for uninsured NYC residents (regardless of immigration status). *Bonus:* Qualifying Nassau residents can use the "Options" program at Queens H+H facilities.
Who
People who cannot obtain or afford insurance and use NYC Health + Hospitals facilities.
Where: NYC Care is for NYC residents; H+H Options applies under separate H+H financial-assistance rules.
What to do
Start here: Call 646-NYC-CARE for NYC Care or ask an H+H financial counselor which assistance pathway applies.
Eligibility: Program, residency, income and insurance-access rules differ between NYC Care and Options.
What you get
NYC Health + Hospitals offers low- or no-cost care to people who cannot obtain or afford insurance; NYC Care serves NYC residents and H+H Options is a separate financial-assistance pathway.
Benefit: Primary, specialty, hospital, behavioral-health and prescription services on an income-based fee schedule within the H+H system.
Possible value: Potentially thousands of dollars annually, depending on care used.
Good to know
Important: Neither is ordinary insurance; care is within the H+H network. Do not assume Nassau eligibility without facility confirmation.
Availability: Year-round; financial screening or renewal may apply.
Why people miss it: NYC Care is often mistaken for insurance, and Options is a separate program name.
Sources reviewed: Aug 2, 2026