Expanding Primary Care Access in Long Island City

Grantee Name

The Floating Hospital Foundation, Inc.

Funding Area

Special Projects Fund

Publication Date

June 2012

Grant Amount

$213,950

Grant Date:

January 1, 2009-June 30, 2010

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In 2003, 20% of Long Island City residents lived below the poverty line and 26% qualified for Medicaid; today, a large concentration of Long Island City residents live in two low-income public housing developments: Queensbridge Houses and Ravenswood Houses, with Queensbridge Houses being the largest public housing project in the United States.

Together, these complexes house a total of 11,500 residents. Because this neighborhood has been designated a Medically Underserved Area and a Health Professional Shortage Area by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, in 2009 the Floating Hospital (TFH) was awarded a grant from NYHealth to expand primary care services for Long Island City residents, with a focus on understanding the unique needs of the public housing project population.

Outcomes and Lessons Learned

Added 6,000 square feet of clinic space to its freestanding medical clinic in Long Island City to provide medical, mental health, and dental care to area residents.
Hired new clinical and outreach staff to build a patient base of local residents.
Established a daily schedule of free van transportation; advertised its services at the housing developments; and made presentations at health fairs, community events, and tenant meetings. Approximately 1,940 public housing residents attended these events.
Worked with small businesses in the area to provide preventive services, such as annual and summer physical exams.
Expanded its list of Medicaid managed care providers and contracts to meet the needs of community residents, and secured Federal approval to accept Medicare payments.
Served 1,495 unique/new patients and had a total of 4,354 patient visits—more than half of the number originally projected.
Achieved a financial break-even status by mid-2011.

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