What should you know about healthcare and emergencies in New York?
Emergency number
911
Updated July 2026 · Sources cited: digitalnomadexchange.com, health.ny.gov
Good to know
Good to Know
- 911 is the only number to call for a genuine police, fire, or medical emergency in New York City — it works the same everywhere in the U.S.
- 311 is extremely useful for nomads for non-urgent issues (noise, building problems, general city info) but is not monitored for real emergencies.
- The Notify NYC app is worth installing on arrival since it pushes real-time alerts for things like flooding, heat emergencies, and transit disruptions that can directly affect day-to-day plans.
- If you can't safely make a voice call during an emergency, you can text 911, though calling is faster and more reliable when possible.
- For any life-threatening emergency in New York, call 911 (free from any phone) rather than trying to travel to a hospital yourself.
- Bellevue is a designated public 'safety net' hospital and treats patients regardless of insurance or ability to pay, which can make it a practical option for nomads without US health insurance.
- If you're based below 14th Street (Tribeca, SoHo, Financial District, Lower East Side), NewYork-Presbyterian Lower Manhattan Hospital is the only full 24-hour ED in that immediate area — closer options uptown involve a longer ride.
- US emergency rooms bill separately and expensively regardless of trauma designation; confirm your travel/health insurance covers US ER visits before you need one.
Universal Emergency Number
- Number
- 911
- Notes
- Single number for all life-threatening emergencies in New York City and across the United States.
Covers
- police
- fire
- ambulance/medical
Official Safety And Emergency Apps
Notify NYC
- Cost
- Free
- Publisher
- NYC Emergency Management (NYCEM) / NYC Dept. of Information Technology and Telecommunications
- Description
- New York City's official emergency communications app, providing real-time, location-based alerts on severe weather, transit disruptions, public health hazards, missing-person (Silver/Amber) alerts, and other citywide emergencies.
Platforms
- iOS
- Android
NYC311
- Cost
- Free
- Publisher
- NYC311 / City of New York
- Description
- Official app for filing and tracking non-emergency service requests to city government; complements but does not replace 911.
Platforms
- iOS
- Android
Hospitals
NYC Health + Hospitals/Bellevue Hospital Center
- Hours
- Emergency Department open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week
- Address
- 462 First Avenue, New York, NY 10016 (Manhattan, Kips Bay, at 27th Street)
- Trauma Level
- Level I Adult Trauma Center; Level II Pediatric Trauma Center
- Notes
- America's oldest public hospital and a designated NYC safety-net facility.
NewYork-Presbyterian/Weill Cornell Medical Center
- Hours
- Emergency Department open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week
- Address
- 525 East 68th Street, New York, NY 10065 (Upper East Side)
- Trauma Level
- Level 1 Adult Trauma Center; Level 2 Pediatric Trauma Center
- Notes
- Also home to the William Randolph Hearst Burn Center and a designated Stroke and Chest Pain Center.
NewYork-Presbyterian Lower Manhattan Hospital
- Hours
- Open 24 hours a day, every day of the week
- Address
- 170 William Street, New York, NY 10038 (Financial District)
- Trauma Level
- Community Trauma Center (not a Level I/II ACS-verified center)
- Notes
- Operates the only full-service 24-hour adult and pediatric Emergency Department south of 14th Street, which matters for nomads based in Financial District, Tribeca, or SoHo.
The Mount Sinai Hospital
- Hours
- Emergency care 24 hours a day, 7 days a week
- Address
- 1468 Madison Avenue, New York, NY 10029 (East Harlem, at 101st Street)
- Trauma Level
- Not confirmed in current research — listed here for its 24/7 ED and major hospital status, not a specific ACS trauma-level designation
- Notes
- One of Mount Sinai Health System's several Manhattan ED locations.
Text To 911
- Available
- Yes
- Notes
- Text 911 only if you are unable to call; calling is the preferred and fastest method.
Non Emergency City Services
- Number
- 311
- Phone Alt
- 212-639-9675 (212-NEW-YORK, for use outside NYC or via video relay)
- Text Number
- 311-692
- Notes
- For non-emergency issues (noise complaints, city service problems, non-urgent police/fire matters). Available 24/7 with interpretation in over 175 languages. Do not use for active emergencies.
Mental Health And Substance Use Crisis
- Number
- 988
- Notes
- NYC 988 provides free, confidential mental health and substance-use crisis support by phone, text, or chat, 24/7, in 200+ languages. May connect to 911 only if there is an immediate safety concern.
Healthcare
- Quality
- World-renowned hospitals and medical centers provide comprehensive services from primary care to specialized treatments. Medical care consistently ranks highly on national quality measures.
- Overview
- New York City is home to world-class medical facilities and hospitals affiliated with prestigious medical schools. However, healthcare costs are among the highest in the United States, and access remains unequal across neighborhoods and income levels.
- Insurance
- Foreigners may obtain health insurance through NY State of Health Marketplace. Many nomads rely on travel insurance or personal insurance. Emergency care is available to all regardless of insurance status.
- Access For Nomads
- Non-residents can access public healthcare through NYC Health + Hospitals, the nation's largest public safety-net system. NYC Care program provides low-cost or no-cost care for undocumented and low-income uninsured residents. However, cost of care is high; insurance premiums, deductibles, and copayments are among the highest in the country.
- Typical Costs Notes
- Healthcare expenses for uninsured visitors can be substantial. Doctor visits, hospital stays, and prescription drugs carry high out-of-pocket costs. Budget nomads should secure comprehensive travel health insurance before arrival.
Pharmacies
- Overview
- Pharmacies are widely available throughout New York City. Chain pharmacies (CVS, Duane Reade/Walgreens, Rite Aid) have extensive locations, including many with 24-hour service. Independent pharmacies offer personalized service and specialty compounding.
- Availability
- Abundant pharmacy options citywide; most neighborhoods have at least one pharmacy within walking distance. Many pharmacies offer home delivery, online prescription refills, and mobile app services.
- Chain Locations
- Duane Reade/Walgreens, CVS, and Rite Aid have extensive locations; visit their websites for 24-hour locations and nearest branches.
- Cost Context
- Prescription medication prices in NYC are high by international standards. Many medications cost significantly more than in other countries, including Canada. Over-the-counter medications are more affordable than prescription drugs but still comparatively expensive.
Notable Independent Pharmacies
- New London Pharmacy (Chelsea) - offers vaccinations and supplements
- Stanley's Pharmacy (Lower Manhattan) - includes holistic services and juice bar
- Zitomer Pharmacy - large, well-stocked independent chain
- Boro Park Pharmacy (Brooklyn) - personalized care focus
AI-generated estimateData refreshed July 2026
Sources cited for this category
These are the sources cited in this emergencies research for this city. Individual figures may not each trace to one of them.
More About New York
Data last updated July 2026 · Verify anything important.