Most New Yorkers know NYC Health + Hospitals as the big public hospital system — Bellevue, Kings County, Elmhurst, Lincoln, Jacobi. Fewer know that the same system runs 29 neighborhood clinics under a separate brand called NYC Health + Hospitals/Gotham Health, designed specifically so families do not have to travel to a hospital for primary care, pediatrics, women’s health, dental, mental health, eye care, or basic dermatology. Gotham Health is a Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) network. It accepts Medicaid, Medicare, MetroPlusHealth, and most commercial insurance — and if you are uninsured, you can still walk through the door, and the system will work with you on payment.
This is the navigator for what Gotham Health actually offers, how to find a clinic in your neighborhood, what to bring to your first visit, and the three numbers and one website that will get you connected the fastest.
Who this helps
Anyone who is uninsured, underinsured, has Medicaid, has Medicare, has MetroPlusHealth, has a commercial insurance plan that includes NYC Health + Hospitals, or simply does not have an established primary care doctor in their neighborhood. Particularly valuable for: immigrant families regardless of status, families with young children who need pediatric primary care, adults managing a chronic condition (diabetes, asthma, hypertension), and anyone who needs dental or eye care and has been priced out of private practices.
What Gotham Health actually is
NYC Health + Hospitals/Gotham Health was formed in 2015 by reorganizing the public hospital system’s community-based health centers into a single organization with federal health center designation, per the NYC Health + Hospitals Gotham Health page. The federal designation matters: it means Gotham Health receives Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) funding to serve high-need communities, must offer sliding-fee discounts based on income for patients who cannot pay, and must keep the door open regardless of insurance status or ability to pay.
The network includes 12 large centers and 17 neighborhood sites, strategically located in or near high-need areas in all five boroughs. Locations include sites in Sunset Park, East New York, Bushwick, Crown Heights, Harlem, Washington Heights, the South Bronx, Morrisania, Belmont, Astoria, Jackson Heights, Corona, Far Rockaway, and Stapleton on Staten Island, among others. The full directory is at nychealthandhospitals.org/gotham-health/locations.
What services Gotham Health offers
Per the official services page, Gotham Health centers provide:
- Adult Medicine — primary care, chronic disease management (diabetes, hypertension, asthma, heart disease), annual physicals, immunizations.
- Pediatric Services — well-child visits, school physicals, immunizations, sick visits.
- Women’s Health Services — annual exams, contraception, prenatal care, family planning.
- Behavioral Health Services — outpatient mental health and substance use treatment.
- Dental Care Services — preventive cleanings, fillings, extractions, basic restorative dentistry.
- Eye Care Services — vision exams, glasses prescriptions, basic ophthalmology.
- Podiatry Services — foot care, particularly important for patients with diabetes.
- Radiology & Imaging — on-site X-ray and basic imaging at larger sites.
- WIC Program — the federal Women, Infants & Children nutrition program for pregnant women and children under five.
- Dermatology Services — at select large centers.
How to take action — what to do this week
1. Find your closest site. Open nychealthandhospitals.org/gotham-health/locations and search by your borough or zip code. The list includes the address, phone number, and which services are offered at that specific site — not every site offers every service.
2. Call to make an appointment. The system-wide appointment line is 1-844-NYC-4NYC (1-844-692-4692). You can also book online at nychealthandhospitals.org/make-an-appointment. Same-day appointments are sometimes available at larger sites; walk-ins are accepted in many cases but call ahead.
3. If you are uninsured, ask about NYC Care or the H+H Options program at intake. Both programs let you access Gotham Health care at no cost (NYC Care for those who do not qualify for any insurance) or sliding-fee scale (Options for those who fall outside NYC Care). NYC Care enrollment: 1-646-NYC-CARE (1-646-692-2273) or nyccare.nyc. A financial counselor at H+H can be reached at 1-844-692-4692, option 3, per the official Helping You Pay for Care page.
4. Bring what you have. Per official H+H enrollment guidance: any government-issued ID (passport, IDNYC, consular ID, driver license), proof of NYC residency (lease, utility bill, piece of mail), and proof of income if you have it (pay stubs, employer letter, or a self-attestation letter if paid in cash). If you cannot produce all three, you will still be seen — go anyway and let the financial counselor help you assemble what is needed for the discount.
5. Sign up for MyChart. Once you have been seen at any Gotham Health or H+H facility, you can use the MyChart patient portal to message your provider, request prescription refills, see test results, and schedule follow-up visits. This is especially valuable for chronic disease management — no copay required to send a message.
Why Gotham Health matters now
The federal budget reconciliation (H.R. 1, Public Law No. 119-21) that ended expanded Essential Plan funding is on track to remove approximately 450,000 New Yorkers from Essential Plan coverage on July 1, 2026, per the New York State Department of Health press release at health.ny.gov. Many of those residents will move to Qualified Health Plans with higher premiums and deductibles — and some will become uninsured. Gotham Health is one of the few networks in New York City positioned to absorb that population without turning people away. If you or someone you know loses insurance this summer, Gotham Health is the closest-to-home backstop.
What to expect at your first visit
Plan for the initial visit to take about 90 minutes — a chunk of that is registration, insurance verification or financial counseling, and a health history intake. Subsequent visits are shorter, generally 30 to 45 minutes including check-in. Bring a list of any medications you take (including over-the-counter), the dates of any major procedures or hospitalizations, and any family history of cancer, heart disease, diabetes, or mental illness. If English is not your primary language, interpreter services are available in more than 200 languages at no cost to you — request one when you schedule.
If you cannot get a Gotham Health appointment quickly
NYC Health + Hospitals also offers ExpressCare virtual visits at ondemand.expresscare.video, which gives you a same-day telehealth visit with an H+H provider for non-emergency concerns like a cold, urinary tract infection, rash, or medication question. ExpressCare is offered on a sliding fee basis and accepts most insurance. It is not a substitute for ongoing primary care, but it can hold you over until your Gotham Health appointment comes up.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is NYC Health + Hospitals/Gotham Health? Gotham Health is the neighborhood community-clinic network of the NYC public hospital system, formed in 2015 with federal health center designation. It operates 12 large centers and 17 neighborhood sites across the five boroughs, offering primary care, pediatrics, women’s health, dental, mental health, eye care, and other services to all New Yorkers regardless of insurance status.
Do I need insurance to be seen at a Gotham Health clinic? No. Gotham Health is a Federally Qualified Health Center, meaning it serves all patients regardless of insurance status or ability to pay. Uninsured patients can enroll in NYC Care (no cost) or the H+H Options program (sliding fee scale based on income).
How do I make an appointment at a Gotham Health clinic? Call 1-844-NYC-4NYC (1-844-692-4692) or book online at nychealthandhospitals.org/make-an-appointment. Many sites accept walk-ins for established patients.
How do I find the closest Gotham Health clinic to my home? Visit the locations directory at nychealthandhospitals.org/gotham-health/locations and search by borough or zip code.
Does Gotham Health treat children? Yes. Pediatric services include well-child visits, school physicals, immunizations, and sick visits for children of all ages.
Does Gotham Health offer dental care? Yes. Gotham Health provides preventive cleanings, fillings, extractions, and basic restorative dental care at selected sites.
What identification do I need to enroll? Any government-issued ID (passport, IDNYC, consular ID, driver license), proof of NYC residency (lease, utility bill, mail addressed to you), and proof of income if you have it. Immigration status does not affect eligibility for NYC Care or Gotham Health services.
Contact your healthcare provider for medical advice. This article is general information about a public health resource and is not a substitute for professional medical guidance. Eligibility for NYC Care, MetroPlusHealth, Medicaid, and other programs is subject to change; verify current rules at the official site or by calling the numbers listed above.
Sources: NYC Health + Hospitals/Gotham Health official page (nychealthandhospitals.org/gotham-health); NYC Health + Hospitals Helping You Pay for Care page (nychealthandhospitals.org/paying-for-your-health-care); NYC Care enrollment page (nyccare.nyc); New York State Department of Health Essential Plan press release dated March 23, 2026.
