NYC Health + Hospitals’ NYC Care Reaches Milestone of One Year of Providing Low- and No-Cost Durable Medical Equipment Benefit

NYC Health + Hospitals' NYC Care Reaches Milestone of One Year of Providing Low- and No-Cost Durable Medical Equipment Benefit

NYC Care supported 2,652 patients with low- and no-cost durable medical equipment to support increased autonomy, reduced risk of injury, improved quality of life, and better pain management

NYC Health + Hospitals' NYC Care is a health care access program available to all New Yorkers regardless of one's immigration status or ability to pay

May 05, 2026

NYC Health + Hospitals' NYC Care program today announced that its durable medical equipment (DME) benefit supported 2,652 patients in its first year. The benefit allows NYC Care members to access low- and no-cost DME, including CPAP machines and associated accessories, diabetes-related supplies, mobility devices, and urinary supplies. The provision of durable medical equipment is supported by NYC Care exclusive partner AdaptHealth, a network of full-service medical equipment companies. This year, access to the benefit will expand through the receipt of a $200,000 private foundation grant, allowing more members than ever to benefit from the increased autonomy, reduced risk of injury, improved quality of life, and better pain management afforded through DME.

Since the launch of the benefit for calendar year 2025, there were 1,405 orders supporting 2,652 patients, including for:

• CPAP and associated accessories: 1,351
• Mobility/Assistive devices: 636
• Home Safety: 229
• BP monitors: 182
• Respiratory/Oxygen: 163
• Nutrition: 77
• Ostomy Supplies: 63
• Wound Care: 41
• Urinary Supplies: 29
• Other: 52

"Since we launched the durable medical equipment benefit last year, we have heard so many stories from members whose equipment allowed them to live healthier and longer lives. Durable medical equipment, the fruits of biomedical science, is an essential part of health care and needs to be available to all people," said Jonathan Jiménez, MD, MPH, Executive Director of NYC Care from NYC Health + Hospitals. "Thanks to the generous foundation grant, I am thrilled to announce that we can support even more NYC Care members who previously had to pay out-of-pocket with essential durable medical equipment."

"We are proud to support NYC Health + Hospitals' NYC Care program in facilitating equitable access to health care for those who need it most," said the anonymous donor. "The provision of essential medical equipment is a critical component of enhancing quality of life for thousands of NYC patients, and we at the Foundation are honored to be able to help make this possible, given our long-term partnership with NYC Health + Hospitals and ongoing commitment to health equity for all people, especially the most vulnerable, in our community."

"Access to durable medical equipment through this benefit has been life changing for so many of our patients in the Bellevue Primary Care Safety Net Clinic," said Dr. Ann Winters, Medical Director, Bellevue Primary Care Safety Net Clinic. "The provision of this brand-new equipment can meet a range of patient needs, from enabling enhanced mobility and safety to improved respiratory health and reduced caregiver burden. I have seen first-hand how the provision of durable medical equipment has the power to transform lives and allows patients to manage their own care without dignity or shame."

NYC Care has more than 130,000 active members and has provided over one million primary care appointments. In fiscal year 2025 alone, NYC Care members completed 62,936 women's health, 54,132 eye specialist, 39,667 behavioral health, 25,642 dermatology, 23,258 cardiology, and 19,725 cancer care appointments. A study published in 2024 in the Journal of General Internal Medicine found that new NYC Care members had the same health care engagement and chronic disease control as new Medicaid enrollees- demonstrating the health equity achieved through the program. NYC Care's community-based organization partners have reached over 1.4 million New Yorkers, scheduled over 62,000 enrollment appointments, and facilitated over 19,000 direct enrollments. From developing a multi-lingual video series about the program and deploying regular public awareness campaigns to launching new partnerships with consulates and community-based organizations, NYC Care continues to champion health care for all New Yorkers.

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About NYC Health + Hospitals
NYC Health + Hospitals is the largest municipal health care system in the nation serving more than a million New Yorkers annually in more than 70 patient care locations across the city's five boroughs. A robust network of outpatient, neighborhood-based primary and specialty care centers anchors care coordination with the system's trauma centers, nursing homes, post-acute care centers, home care agency, and MetroPlusHealth-all supported by 11 essential hospitals. Its diverse workforce of more than 46,000 employees is uniquely focused on empowering New Yorkers, without exception, to live the healthiest life possible. For more information, visit www.nychealthandhospitals.org and stay connected on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn.

About NYC Care
NYC Care is a health care access program that provides comprehensive and low or no-cost healthcare services through NYC Health + Hospitals for New Yorkers who cannot afford or are ineligible for health insurance. NYC Care provides a membership card, 24/7 customer service, access to comprehensive and affordable healthcare services, like primary care, mental health services, and sexual and reproductive healthcare, low-cost medications, and member materials in multiple languages - regardless of your immigration status or ability to pay. Call 646-NYC-CARE (646-692-2273) or visit NYCCare.NYC to learn more and sign up today - privacy and confidentiality guaranteed.