NYC Councilmember Helps Debut New Elderplan\HomeFirst Office In Queens

QUEENS, NY — Elderplan/HomeFirst, a not-for-profit health plan that cares for older adults and adults with disabilities, opened its first-ever Flushing Community Office last week.

The ribbon-cutting ceremony hosted last Friday was attended by elected officials, local community members and health care leaders.

The storefront will be a resource for Elderplan members seeking support and information about their health plan coverage and how to access plan benefits, as well as offer opportunities to participate in health and wellness activities, officials said.

The community office will also offer prospective beneficiaries valuable plan information and another way to enroll. Elderplan/HomeFirst offers care for individuals that have have Medicare, Medicare and Medicaid.

"As a mission-driven, not-for-profit health plan that is committed to closing gaps in care for our members of all backgrounds, opening our first-ever Flushing community office in the heart of downtown is the perfect next step in increasing our ability to support existing and potential beneficiaries,” David Wagner, president and CEO of MJHS Health System and president of Elderplan/HomeFirst told Patch.

The new office opening comes as Elderplan/HomeFirst celebrates 40 years of providing quality care for at-risk members of the community.

“Older adults or individuals living with disabilities face unique challenges when it comes to accessing quality healthcare, including language barriers, limited mobility, and unfamiliarity with complex health systems can make it difficult to get the care and support they need, Councilmember Sandra Ung told Patch. “This is about more than convenience, it’s about equity and making sure that older adults and individuals with disabilities have the same opportunities to live healthy, dignified lives.

The Elderplan/HomeFirst Flushing Community Office is located at 36-59 Main Street.

The office will be open Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and by appointment on weekends.

Meetings can be scheduled through elderplan.org or by calling (866) 360-1934.