Medically Necessary Instruction

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Medically Necessary Instruction provides educational services for all school-aged children (grades 3-K to12) who are unable to attend school due to orthopedic, non-orthopedic/medical, or psychiatric reasons.

  • This program serves students in all five boroughs of New York City.
  • It is an interim, non-diploma granting program.
  • The instruction provides academic services to limit the educational effects of a long-term absence (four weeks or more).
  • The Medically Necessary Instruction operates during the day and after-school hours.

Submit a Request for Medically Necessary Instruction

In order to request Medically Necessary Instruction Services, the parent/guardian of the student must notify the school’s guidance counselor and work with the school of affiliation (“home school”) to submit a complete application including all four of the forms in the Medically Necessary Instruction Application Packet:

  1. Authorization for Release of Medical Records (HIPAA Form): to be completed by Parent /Student
    • Please note that if the student is 18 years of age or older and able, they MUST sign the form themselves
  2. Medically Necessary Instruction Referral Form: to be completed by the student’s home school
    • High school students must also submit their permanent record, program, and transcript.
  3. Medically Necessary Instruction Medical Referral Form: to be completed by a physician.
  4. Family Request Form for In-Person Services in Medical Necessary Instruction: to be completed by a parent.

Important Information

  • Be sure you complete ALL pages in the application.
  • Submitting application materials does not ensure approval for services.
  • To avoid delays in the application process, please make sure that all applicable information is completed.
  • All referrals for psychiatric reasons must be made by a PSYCHIATRIST.
  • Send this completed package to hiapply@schools.nyc.gov or fax them to (718) 472-6113.
  • Medically Necessary Instruction is not available for students who cannot attend school because they have not met immunization requirements. Families should contact the Office of Home Schooling for additional information at 917-339-1793 or homeschool@schools.nyc.gov.

Submit a Request for Hospital Instruction

Medically Necessary Hospital Instruction is provided by New York City Public Schools' Hospital Schools to all school-aged public, private and parochial students who are hospitalized in New York City for chronic/acute medical, orthopedic, or psychiatric conditions. Our program adheres to all NY State Standards and establishes a close liaison with the student’s home school.

For hospital settings not currently served by Hospital Schools, including hospital settings and long-term care facilities outside of New York City, please contact Hospitalschoolsnonnyc@schools.nyc.gov for assistance.  In order to request such Hospital Instruction services, the parent/guardian of the student should work with their hospital setting and must notify the school's guidance counselor and work with the school of affiliation ("home school") to submit a complete application including all six forms in the Hospital Instruction Application packet to Hospitalschoolsnonnyc@schools.nyc.gov. Please work with your school and the hospital setting to submit the following documents:
  1. Hospital Instruction Request Form (to be completed by the Parent / Student and student’s school)
    • High school students must also submit their permanent record, program, and transcript.
  2. Proof of New York City residency (if not currently enrolled in an NYCPS school)
  3. Medically Necessary Hospital Instruction Medical Referral Form (to be completed by student’s physician)
  4. Authorization for release of medical records (HIPAA Form) (to be completed by Parent / Student)
    • Please note that if the student is 18 years of age or older and able, they MUST sign the form themselves.
  5. Authorization for release of educational records (FERPA Consent Form) (to be completed by Parent / Student)
    • Please note that if the student is 18 years of age or older and able, they MUST sign the form themselves.
  6. Statement of Parent in Support of Tuition Claim for NYC Resident Child Temporarily Hospitalized Out-of-City
    • To be completed only if the hospital setting is outside of New York City, and by the Parent/Student, student’s physician, and hospital instruction provider/school affiliated with the hospital setting