To ensure that everyone has affordable access to basic health care, New York City has introduced a number of free or low-cost health care programs for all people, regardless of your immigration status or whether or not you have health insurance. You can access the services listed below. This article also lists Chinese community organizations that provide support for the health of New Yorkers, through which you can access Chinese-language services on general health care. As a newsroom that serves immigrant communities, Documented has written a comprehensive guide for immigrants. This article is part of the guide.
- NYC Care is a health care access program that provides low- or no-cost services to New York residents who do not qualify for or cannot afford health insurance. You can get a unique membership card through NYC Care to access medical services, choose your own doctor, and get affordable medications. Call 646-692-2273 or click here to learn more about the program and how to enroll.
- NYC Health + Hospitals offers low- or no-cost emergency and non-emergency services at public hospitals and clinics throughout the city. Click here to search for your nearest location.
- Health Centers under the Health Resources and Services Administration provide low- or no-cost primary care, dental, mental health and other clinical services to the public. Click here to search for a community health center near you (note: this site is in English only).
- NYC Well offers free, confidential mental health care services in over 200 languages, including Chinese. It is open 24/7. Call 1-NYC-WELL (1-888-692-9355) or text WELL to 65173 to get support.
Emergency Medicaid provides emergency medical assistance to all immigrants, including undocumented immigrants and immigrants in temporary status, to help them cover the cost of emergency medical care. The program pays for care and services when you need immediate medical attention for serious health issues. Serious health issues refer to conditions like a heart attack or severe pain that could lead to dangerous health consequences if you do not get medical help. The program also covers costs related to kidney dialysis and emergency labor and delivery, medications needed to treat emergency situations, and certain prescription drugs used for cancer treatment.
If you know any Chinese community organizations providing health services for New York immigrants that are not on this list, please email april.xu@documentedny.com and we will add them to this article.
Chinese community organizations that provide health care services
Academy of Medical & Public Health Services is a not-for-profit health services provider. It has three aims: identify barriers to health and wellness in underserved immigrant communities; coordinate truly needed primary care with social assistance; and deliver care with dignity and empathy to marginalized New Yorkers. Services at AMPHS is offered at no cost to anyone, regardless of their immigration status. Services provided include health screenings, wellness consultations, social services, care coordination, immigrant rights education, adult literacy classes and health education.
Address: 5306 3rd Ave. 2nd Fl., Brooklyn, NY 11220
Phone: 212-256-9036
Email: info@amphsonline.org
United Chinese Association of Brooklyn, founded in 2002, is devoted to mobilizing community resources to improve the living standard for Brooklyn’s underserved Chinese immigrant community in Bensonhurst, Dyker Heights, and Sheepshead Bay. Their goal is to develop a harmonious and civil mindedness community. This organization provides health insurance referral and enrollment services in Cantonese and Mandarin.
Bensonhurst: 1787 Stillwell Ave., Brooklyn, NY 11223
Phone: 718-232-0055
Email: Info@ucaob.org
Dyker Heights: 8407 15th Ave., Brooklyn, NY 11228
Phone: 718-232-3377
Sheepshead Bay: 2111 Ave. U, Brooklyn, NY 11229
Phone: 716-799-1781
Established in 1886, University Settlement serves 40,000 New Yorkers on the Lower East Side and in Brooklyn annually to build on their strengths as they achieve healthy, stable, and remarkable lives. It offers mental health and wellness and older adults’ health programs.
Address: 184 Eldridge St., New York, NY 10002
Phone: 212-453-4500
Email: info@universitysettlement.org
Health Essential Association is a not-for-profit organization whose mission is to promote knowledge about the prevention and treatment of physical health problems, to help immigrants understand how to apply for the United States health care resources appropriate for them, and to strengthen the two-way interaction between health care providers and Chinese-Americans. Their goal is to serve as a bridge of communication between patients, physicians and life insurance companies to raise the community’s awareness of health issues.
Bensonhurst: 2336 86th St., Brooklyn, NY 11214
Phone: 718-373-2562
Opening hours: Monday to Friday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Saturday and Sunday 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Sheepshead Bay: 2101 E. 16th St., Brooklyn, NY 11229
Phone: 718-376-1919
Opening hours: Monday to Friday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Saturday and Sunday 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Staten Island: 322 New Dorp Lane, Staten Island, New York 10306
Phone: 607-689-6618/6619
Opening hours: Monday to Sunday 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Chinese-American Planning Council is the largest Asian American social services organization in the U.S. and provides services to 60,000 individuals and families. It has 35 sites in Manhattan, Brooklyn and Queens. It provides health-related services including HIV/AIDS services, youth health education programs and health education and prevention.
Address: 165 Eldridge St., New York, NY 10002
Phone: 646-613-8420
Email: CHS@cpc-nyc.org; youth education: PREP@cpc-nyc.org
Henry Street Settlement serves Lower East Side residents through various health and social services, including health insurance enrollment and mental health treatment.
Address: 265 Henry St., New York, NY 10002
Phone: 212-766-9200
Email: info@henrystreet.org
Chinese American Medical Society (CAMS) is a non-profit, charitable, educational, and scientific organization dedicated to education and community service. Founded in 1964, CAMS is one of the oldest, largest and most successful national Chinese American medical societies in North America. It previously organized North American Chinatown Smoke Free Day Health Fair and health and wellness programs.
Address: 11 East Broadway, Unit 4C, New York, NY 10038
Phone: 212-334-4760
Email: jlove@camsociety.org
Charles B. Wang Community Health Center is a non-profit and federally qualified health center. With five locations in Lower Manhattan and Queens, it provides medical services including women’s health services, telemedicine, pediatric care, mental health and oral health. In 2021, the health center served over 55,000 patients with more than 267,000 service visits.
Location and opening hours: https://www.cbwchc.org/location_ch.asp
Looking for more New York immigration resources? Check out our resource guide.
