Community and Health Care Leaders Join Elderplan/HomeFirst at Debut of Washington Heights Community Office

Grand opening of new community resource comes as Elderplan/HomeFirst celebrates 40 years of providing quality care in New York City

Elderplan/HomeFirst, a not-for-profit health plan that cares for older adults and adults with disabilities who have Medicare, Medicare and Medicaid, or Medicaid only, today opened its new Washington Heights Community Office with a ribbon-cutting event attended by community and health care leaders. The storefront, located in the heart of Washington Heights, 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. The community office will also offer prospective beneficiaries valuable plan information and another way to enroll.

“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 community office in the heart of Washington Heights is the perfect next step in increasing our ability to support existing and potential beneficiaries,” said David Wagner, president and CEO of MJHS Health System and president of Elderplan/HomeFirst. “Elderplan is celebrating our 40th anniversary of caring for at-risk New Yorkers this year. Opening our first community office is another important milestone, and a testament to our unwavering commitment to addressing the health care needs of our current and future members. It’s one of many reasons why Elderplan/HomeFirst continues Leading the way to great care,” Wagner added.

This opening comes as Elderplan/HomeFirst, a participating agency of MJHS Health System, celebrates 40 years of providing quality care for at-risk members of the community.

“For over four decades, Elderplan/HomeFirst has been a cornerstone of care and compassion, uplifting older adults and individuals with disabilities with dignity and purpose,” said New York State Senator Robert Jackson. “The opening of this new Washington Heights Community Office is more than a celebration—it is a testament to their unwavering commitment to accessibility, wellness, and empowering our neighbors. This office stands as a vital resource and a lifeline for the most vulnerable, ensuring every member of our community can thrive with the support they deserve,” State Senator Jackson added.

The Elderplan/HomeFirst Washington Heights Community Office is located at 564 West 181st Street. Hours of operation are Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. and by appointment on weekends. Meetings can be scheduled through elderplan.org or by calling (866) 360-1934.

“Healthcare coverage can be confusing and daunting to navigate, so Elderplan’s new community office will be an incredible resource for some of the most vulnerable New Yorkers. Removing barriers to staying healthy and accessing high-quality care is always a win,” said Manhattan Borough President Mark Levine.

Elderplan is one of the original social HMOs in the country. It received the top rating of 5-Stars on Health Care Quality and on the rating of Health Plan from its members in the 2024 Medicare Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems (CAHPS) survey.

(Left to Right) Laura Niland, vice president of government affairs; David Wagner, president and CEO of MJHS Health System and president of Elderplan/HomeFirst; Burton Esrig, chair of the Elderplan/HomeFirst board of directors; Porfirio Figueroa, deputy director of community affairs at the Manhattan Borough President’s Office; Frank Polanco, senior vice president of business development and growth at Elderplan/HomeFirst; and David Koschitzki, chief financial officer of MJHS Health System, officially open the Elderplan/HomeFirst Washington Heights Community Office with a ribbon-cutting.