October 31, 2024 Newswires

Healthfirst Opens New Community Office in Flushing, Queens and Supports Access to Quality Healthcare in Diverse Communities

Business Wire

Healthfirst representatives support health insurance enrollment through culturally competent, one-on-one service in seven languages

Event celebrates vibrant neighborhood and includes local elected officials, community leaders, and healthcare providers

NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--
Healthfirst, one of New York’s highest-quality not-for-profit health insurers, has opened a new and expanded community office to support the needs of the diverse community in Flushing, Queens. Building on Healthfirst’s presence in Queens for more than 15 years, this new office represents Healthfirst’s ongoing commitment to providing access to high-quality healthcare and helping all New Yorkers thrive.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20241031569414/en/

Left to Right: Errol Pierre, Senior Vice President State Programs at Healthfirst, Peggy Sheng, Chief Operating Officer Coalition of Asian-American IPA (CAIPA), Pat Wang, President and Chief Executive Officer at Healthfirst, Dave Evangelista, Assistant Vice President of Managed Care at Medisys Health Network, Kaushal Challa, Chief Executive Officer at Charles B. Wang Community Health Center, Judy Kang, Senior Vice President of Delivery Systems Engagement at Healthfirst, and Miguel Centeno, Vice President of Community Engagement at Healthfirst. (Photo: Business Wire)

At the new 3,500 square foot Healthfirst office, located at 39-06 Main Street in the heart of Flushing, community members can get answers to their questions about health insurance and benefits, receive assistance with enrolling in a Healthfirst plan as well as renewing or recertifying their existing coverage, and learn how to understand and maximize the value of their existing coverage. Healthfirst members can receive one-to-one support in seven languages including: Mandarin, Cantonese, Fujianese, Korean, Spanish, Bengali and English. The opening of this new site coincides with the Medicare Annual Enrollment Period currently underway through December 7, and open enrollment for qualified health plans including Healthfirst Essential plans through the New York State of Health beginning November 1 for enrollments and November 16 for renewals through January 31, 2025. More information about Healthfirst Medicare Advantage plans can be found at the company’s Learn Shop and Enroll website.

“At Healthfirst, our mission to provide greater access to high-quality healthcare begins with meeting members where they are, and today one in three members can walk into a Healthfirst community office in their neighborhood and get one-on-one support,” said Pat Wang, Healthfirst’s President and CEO. “We serve more than 450,000 members in Queens and in Flushing, half of our in-office enrollments are conducted in Chinese. This new office was built to reflect the community’s cultural heritage, and we are honored to feature artwork from Flushing residents who are active in TimeBank by Healthfirst Foundation, a free program that facilitates the exchange of time, skills and services among volunteer participants and organizations.”

In celebration of the new Flushing community office, Healthfirst hosted an event with city, state and federal elected officials including U.S. Representative Grace Meng, New York State Senator John Liu, New York City Councilmember Sandra Ung and healthcare providers and community partners including MediSys Health Network, Charles B. Wang Community Health Center, and the Coalition of Asian-American IPA (CAIPA).

Healthfirst’s new Flushing Community Office is open Monday through Saturday from 9:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. year-round and will be open Sundays from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. through December 29, 2024. In the coming months, Healthfirst will host a series of cultural health and wellness events including:

Natural Healing with Acupuncture discussion, November 24, 2024, 11:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
Mental Health Education session supported by the Coalition of Asian-American IPA, December 8, 2024, 11:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
Tai Chi supported by the Chinese-American Planning Council, January 17, 2025, 11:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
Healthfirst Community Open House celebrating Lunar New Year, February 2, 2025, 11:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
Chinese Culture & Art Exploration, March 2, 2025, 11:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.

Healthfirst has 26 community offices located throughout New York City, Long Island and the Hudson Valley, more information can be found at healthfirst.org/CommunityOffices.

About Healthfirst

Healthfirst believes that every New Yorker deserves access to the best available healthcare. As one of New York’s highest quality not-for-profit health insurers serving close to 2 million New Yorkers, we make this a reality for our members. Founded more than 30 years ago by the leading hospital systems in downstate New York, Healthfirst established a partnership model that enables hospitals, health systems, and physicians in our network to work with us to prioritize health outcomes and to place the needs of our members and community first. We strive to advance health equity so that all individuals, regardless of race, neighborhood, or income, can thrive and live healthy, fulfilling lives. Healthfirst serves members in New York City, on Long Island, and in Westchester, Rockland, Sullivan, and Orange counties, offering market-leading products to suit every life stage. Our offerings include Medicaid plans, Medicare Advantage plans, Long-Term Care plans, Qualified Health plans, and Essential Plans. For more information on Healthfirst, please visit healthfirst.org.