Free health care in schools

School-Based Health Centers (SBHC) | NYC Department of Education (DOE); NYC Department of Health & Mental Hygiene (DOHMH)

Health Grade-Schooler Pre-Teen Teen

Students can get easy access to health care at medical health centers in their school. Services include:

  • Physical examinations
  • Medical care for chronic conditions such as asthma and diabetes
  • Screening and treatment for occasional illnesses such as headaches and sore throats
  • Mental health services or referrals for mental health services as needed

Students can get services at no cost, regardless of insurance or immigration status.

SBHCs also offer:

  • Help with applications for free or low-cost public health insurance
  • Services by appointment or walk-in
  • Age-appropriate reproductive health care for teens (at some locations). High Schoolers do not need parental consent to receive confidential reproductive health services.

Check with your child's school or see the list of SBHCs to find out if a health center exists at your child's campus.


Who is eligible

All students enrolled at a school with a SBHC are eligible for health care services at their school.


How to apply

To get free health care, students must have their parents or guardians fill out and return a consent form. You can get the form at the SBHC at your child’s school.

Students do not need to have health insurance to enroll in SBHC. If the student does have insurance, include the information on the consent form.


How to get help

  • Visit the SBHC website to learn about all of the available services.
  • Email Lorraine Tiezzi, Director of Adolescent Health, at [email protected] if you have questions about this program.

Other Health Programs

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NYC Human Resources Administration (HRA); NYS Department of Health (NYS DOH)

Low-cost and free health insurance

Get help understanding your affordable health insurance options and enrolling in a plan.

NYC Care

NYC Health + Hospitals (NYC H+H)

No cost or low-cost healthcare access

Comprehensive health care for all NYC residents, regardless of ability to pay or immigration status.

NYC Well

NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH)

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Updated March 31, 2022