OCHIA's HealthStat initiative makes public health insurance enrollment available at convenient neighborhood sites and events. HealthStat engages the collaborative work of City agencies, managed care plans and a wide array of community- and faith-based organizations to provide outreach and facilitate enrollment for children and families at local venues such as public schools, diverse places of worship, public housing developments and community events.

HealthStat is modeled on the New York City Police Department's management tool named CompStat. CompStat uses statistics collected from each precinct to manage and control crime throughout New York City. Similarly, OCHIA collects and reviews enrollment results of each of the participating HealthStat agencies (in PDF ) to assess the impact of their efforts to identify and enroll those New Yorkers who are eligible for public health insurance but are uninsured. The agencies chosen for HealthStat have been selected based on the services offered to children and low-income New Yorkers, their interaction with potentially eligible New Yorkers in the course of their daily work, as well as their connections within many communities throughout the city. From January 2009 to spring 2010, over 93,000 New Yorkers have enrolled in public health insurance (in PDF) through HealthStat.

OCHIA also works to link health insurance enrollment to local outreach efforts relating to such benefits such as Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) and Food Stamps, thereby maximizing access to coverage for low-income New Yorkers.

OCHIA promotes awareness of five special health insurance options specifically designed for small businesses and working individuals, namely Healthy New York, Health Pass, Brooklyn Health Works, LIA Health Alliance and Freelancers Union.  Our partner, the New York City Department of Small Business Services, makes information about these options readily available through the City's information hotline, 311, and through its network of Business Solutions Centers  across the City.

OCHIA partners with business and civic organizations, such as local chambers of commerce, Business Improvement Districts (BIDs) and other entities that serve the needs of small business.  Through these partnerships, OCHIA to conduct forums on health insurance issues to reach a broader audience about the importance of health insurance and learn firsthand about the issues that small businesses and individuals face as they select and purchase coverage. 

As part of its work to improve access to health insurance options, OCHIA also engages in policy initiatives that complement and support its outreach and enrollment efforts.  This work involves monitoring trends in eligibility and enrollment and exploring ways to expand the range of affordable health options available to New York City residents.  Most recently, OCHIA has worked to secure voluntary participation by insurers to provide domestic partner coverage  for those businesses that purchase health insurance in the small group market in New York City.

OCHIA reaches uninsured New Yorkers through community partnerships. If you would like to partner with our office or request a presentation, please fill out and return the OCHIA participation form (in PDF).