NBC News is seeking experienced freelance journalists to contribute to its Health & Medical Unit, covering everything from new medical research to enterprise reporting on public health and healthcare access.

The publication does not pay by the word. Instead, writers are paid based on the scope and complexity of each assignment. Rates begin at $400 for a 500–800-word article covering a new study with three interviews and increase to $700 for 800–1,500-word enterprise features. Rates are negotiable.

Owned by Comcast Corporation, NBCNews.com reaches a broad general news audience with readership split fairly evenly between women and men. The Health vertical publishes new content several times daily, creating ongoing opportunities for freelancers with strong, timely ideas.

What NBC News Wants

Editors prefer concise, story-focused pitches rather than broad topic suggestions.

For study stories, the Health desk regularly covers research published in leading journals such as JAMA, The New England Journal of Medicine, Pediatrics, and the Journal of the American Heart Association. These stories are generally assigned to regular contributors, so freelancers should only pitch them when they have a genuinely unique angle. Two or three sentences are usually enough for these pitches because editors will often have already reviewed the embargoed research.

Editors are also interested in studies from reputable smaller journals. These pitches can be slightly more detailed to explain why the research deserves broader attention.

For feature stories, NBC News welcomes pitches covering:

• Infectious diseases
• Public health
• Healthcare and healthcare access
• Disadvantaged communities
• Underreported health trends
• Health issues affecting younger people
• National perspectives on compelling local stories

Feature pitches should include a clear nut graph explaining the story, along with the types of experts and sources you intend to interview. Patient voices are particularly encouraged where appropriate.

Pitching Tips

If you’re new to pitching NBC News, Jane Weaver recommends leading with a feature story rather than a study story.

New contributors should also include links to recently published clips demonstrating their reporting experience.

Before investing significant time in reporting, writers are welcome to send a brief pre-pitch asking whether editors would be interested in a particular story idea.

Editors typically respond within one or two days, and a single follow-up email is acceptable if you have not received a reply.

Common Pitching Mistakes

Avoid these common errors when submitting to NBC News:

• Pitching stories that national competitors have already covered without offering a substantially different angle.
• Pitching broad topics instead of a specific story.
• Sending unnecessarily alarmist health stories.
• Omitting a clear reporting plan or intended interview sources.

Strong pitches focus on original reporting, underreported issues, and fresh perspectives supported by credible sources.

Submission Details

Publication: NBC News Health

Topics: Health, Medical Research, Public Health, Infectious Diseases, Healthcare Access, Health Trends, Disadvantaged Communities

Rate: $400–$700 (Negotiable)

Deadline: Rolling

Editor: Jane Weaver (Managing Editor, Health & Medical Unit), Sara Miller (Health Editor)

Submit Via: jane.weaver@NBCUNI.com or sara.miller@NBCUNI.com

Website: NBCNews.com