STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. — MetroPlusHealth opened its second Staten Island resource center Tuesday in New Dorp, expanding access to affordable health coverage and wellness services for local residents.
The New Dorp site, located in The Boulevard shopping plaza at 2656 Hylan Blvd., follows MetroPlusHealth’s first location in Port Richmond and will provide insurance enrollment, medical coverage assistance and social and wellness services.
The office will also partner with agencies including the NYPD, SNAP, WIC and community groups to offer seven-days-a-week access to benefits and wellness resources many residents may not have known were available.
MetroPlusHealth staff were joined by local leaders at the ribbon-cutting, including CEO Dr. Talya Schwartz; Staten Island Councilmember Frank Morano; Vanesa Limani, Staten Island borough director; John Rinaudo, director of case management for Congresswoman Nicole Malliotakis; and Dr. Ginny Mantello, a physician who works with MetroPlusHealth.
President & CEO of MetroPlusHealth Dr. Talya Schwartz speaking at the opening of the new community resource centerSydney Maldonado
Schwartz emphasized the organization’s commitment to accessible care. “We are here because we believe that access to care is a human right. That’s what you deserve and what we are here to deliver,” Schwartz said. “Healthcare does not start and end just with access; you also have to address other basic needs, and this is something MetroPlus doesn’t just believe in, but invests in.”
Hospital and community partners also attended to highlight their partnerships with MetroPlusHealth, including Gregory Fernandez, senior vice president at Richmond University Medical Center and Alexander Klein of NYC Health + Hospitals Gotham Health Vanderbilt, who spoke about providing on-site support and connecting residents to medical and wellness services.
“We’re not just here to celebrate an office opening, but we’re here because we recognize that this is something more than that. This is us all coming together and recognizing that shared vision we have promoting healthcare here on Staten Island, and this is an important part of that,” Klein said.
Councilmember Frank Morano pictured speaking at the opening of the new MetroPlusHealth center.Sydney Maldonado
Councilmember Frank Morano highlighted the growing healthcare needs of the borough and praised MetroPlusHealth for addressing them. “Over the last couple of decades, we’ve had a surging population and more and more needs for healthcare. I am so appreciative that MetroPlusHealth has been able, willing, and so effective at filling that gap,” Morano said.
He also added that placing the new office in a central Staten Island location will make it easier for residents to access services without traveling a further distance.
MetroPlusHealth’s New Dorp location provides free insurance enrollment assistance and connects residents to essential social services seven days a week.Sydney Maldonado
MetroPlusHealth offers 11 insurance products tailored to different demographics, including Medicaid and the Essential Plan. Staff can guide residents through the application process and connect them to other social services as needed.
MetroPlusHealth also highlighted its MetroPlusGold plan, tailored specifically for New York City employees and their families. The plan features a $0 monthly premium, no copays, and coverage for primary care, specialty care, telehealth, diagnostic tests, urgent care and more.
Individuals and families can enroll in several ways: they can make appointments in advance, walk into the New Dorp office, or get assistance over the phone or online.
The community office serves people of all ages, from children to seniors, and eligibility depends on factors such as income and household size. Residents are encouraged to bring any necessary documentation to help staff determine which plan best suits their needs.
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