School-Based Health Centers
Approximately 130 School-Based Health Centers (SBHCs) provide on-site primary care – including preventive and urgent care – to elementary, intermediate and high school students in all five boroughs. Many SBHCs provide additional services, with about half offering mental health care. They will also refer students for specialty care when needed. To receive health care services through a SBHC, students must be enrolled by their parents/guardians.
The SBHC can serve as a student's primary care provider (the medical home) or complement services provided by an outside primary care physician. It provides scheduled and walk-in services when school is in session and 24-hour telephone coverage to assist with out-of-school problems. Many SBHCs are open during holiday periods and over the summer.
SBHCs are operated by independent institutions, and the staff is not employed by the Department of Education. The New York State Department of Health monitors the performance of SBHCs to assure that they are providing high quality care.
SBHCs care for students without regard to insurance status. While they may bill an insurance company, such as Medicaid, for the care provided, SBHCs do not bill students or parents for care. While SBHCs work closely with the principal and other staff members, individual student records are confidential, and information is not shared with school staff without parent review and consent.
