The New York City Health and Hospitals Corporation (HHC) was created by New York State legislation in 1970 as a public benefit corporation, governed by a Board of Directors, to oversee the City's public health care system in all five boroughs. The Corporation consists of 11 acute care hospitals, 6 Diagnostic and Treatment Centers, 4 long-term care facilities, a certified home health care agency, and more than 80 community health clinics, including Communicare Centers and Child Health Clinics. Through its wholly owned subsidiary, MetroPlus, HHC operates a Health Plan which enrolls members in Medicaid, Child Health Plus and Family Health Plus. HHC facilities treat nearly one-fifth of all general hospital discharges and more than one third of emergency room and hospital-based clinic visits in New York City.

Acute care hospitals are traditional hospitals that provide inpatient and outpatient services. Inpatient services are for people admitted to the hospital for care that cannot be provided in a doctor's office or at home, to those who need surgery or specialized procedures and to women giving birth. Outpatient services are provided to individuals who need routine medical care, post-surgery follow-up care and emergency care.

Diagnostic and Treatment Centers (D&TC) provide routine preventive and primary care. Patients visit D&TCs for immunizations, annual physical examinations, dental services and treatment for colds, influenza (flu) and other common illnesses.

Long-term care facilities, sometimes called nursing homes, provide extended care for people who require ongoing medical attention. Many, but not all, patients in these facilities are elderly and suffer from health problems related to stroke, Alzheimer's disease and other dementia disease.

HHC Communicare Centers are community-based facilities that provide preventive and primary care for all members of the family. Services include, but are not limited to, immunizations, physical exams, treatment for common childhood diseases and asthma care.

HHC Child Health Clinics provide primary and preventive care to children and teenagers. Child Health Clinics are staffed by pediatricians, other physicians and nurse practitioners that provide youngsters with immunizations, well-child exams, treatment for common childhood diseases, asthma and other care. Click here to locate a Child Health Clinic in your community.

HHC's home health care agency provides professional medical assistance to patients in their own home. Home health care patients are those who require additional care from a nurse or home health aid after being discharged from the hospital. Examples of commonly needed home health care are physical, speech and occupational therapies.

Yes, you can receive care at any HHC facility that provides the appropriate type and level of medical treatment you require. Click here to find an HHC facility near you.

HHC facilities offer a variety of health programs--including classes, screenings and help groups--to help you maintain wellness and avoid illness. Some examples of program topics include asthma, diabetes, nutrition, weight management, stress, smoking cessation and 12-step groups. Health fairs are also provided annually at most HHC facilities. For up-to-date information, call the facility nearest you.