As part of the citywide health insurance initiative, the New York City Department of Health & Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) is involved in reducing the large number of uninsured New Yorkers. The Bureau of Health Insurance Services (BHIS) under the Division of Health Care Access and Improvement, was created to expand the city's health insurance enrollment capacity, maximize client choice regarding health plan and provider selection, and to promote health care utilization and preventive health behaviors through three major strategies:
Lead Agency: The DOHMH/BHIS functions as the citywide lead agency for DOHMH enrollment facilitators and any other city agencies performing facilitated enrollment functions. In this capacity, the Bureau of Health Insurance Services is responsible for staff training, quality control, and processing of all Child Health Plus, Family Health Plus, and Medicaid insurance applications.
Outreach and Referral: the New York City Department of Health & Mental Hygiene and the Bureau of Health Insurance Services' programs provide outreach to communities and make referrals to enrollment facilitators.
Facilitated Enrollment: DOHMH enrollment facilitators:
- screen individuals for health insurance
- fill out each person's application
- educate each applicant about managed care
- help the applicant select a doctor and health plan
- assist each applicant to navigate the health care system
For additional information about available health insurance programs and how to apply, click on:
