Health Insurance Assistance

Health | NYC Human Resources Administration (HRA); NYS Department of Health (NYS DOH)

All New Yorkers regardless of legal statusEveryoneImmigrants

Health insurance helps pay for planned or unexpected medical care. Health insurance options are available to all New Yorkers, even if you are not a citizen. Counselors can help you choose a health insurance plan.

Heads Up

  • Private health insurance plans are plans where you pay a certain amount for coverage. These are also known as Qualified Health Plans (https://www1.nyc.gov/site/ochia/coverage-care/private-insurance-qualified-health-plans.page) .
  • New Yorkers can enroll or change their private health insurance coverage for 2024 starting from November 16, 2023 - January 31, 2024. Enroll through NY State of Health (https://nystateofhealth.ny.gov/) .
  • You might be able to get financial help when you enroll through NY State of Health.
  • You can also buy private insurance directly from an insurance company but you won't be eligible for financial help.
  • Public health insurance plans are free or low-cost. These include Medicaid, Child Health Plus, and the Essential Plan. You can enroll in these plans anytime in the year.
  • You must renew your public health insurance every year. Do the following to renew your coverage and stay covered:
  • Update your email address, mailing address, and phone number.
  • Look for your renewal notice in your mail or email.
  • Respond by your renewal deadline.

    • Eligibility

    You may qualify for free or low-cost public health insurance based on your age and income.

  • See the eligibility criteria for Medicaid (https://www1.nyc.gov/site/ochia/coverage-care/medicaid.page) , Child Health Plus (https://www1.nyc.gov/site/ochia/coverage-care/child-health-plus.page) , or the Essential Plan (https://www1.nyc.gov/site/ochia/coverage-care/essential-plan.page) .
  • If your income is too high for Medicaid, you could still get Medicaid through the Medicaid Excess Income Program (https://www.health.ny.gov/health_care/medicaid/excess_income.htm) . If you do not qualify for public health insurance or cannot afford to buy a plan:NYC Care is a health care program that provides low- and no-cost health care services.
  • Call 646-NYC-CARE (https://www.nyccare.nyc/) (646-692-2273) to enroll in NYC Care.
  • Visit the NYC Care website to find NYC Health + Hospitals patient care sites near you.

    Required Documents

    To enroll in public health insurance plans, you will need:

  • Citizenship/immigration documents indicating your lawful immigration status
  • Social Security Numbers (SSN)
  • Date of birth for everyone applying in household
  • Current employment information
  • Household income

    How to Apply

    Enroll through NY State of HealthAdults under 65, low-income pregnant women, and children should enroll in health insurance through NY State of Health.

  • Enroll online at NY State of Health (https://nystateofhealth.ny.gov/)
  • Enroll in person through a (https://nystateofhealth.ny.gov/agent/hx_brokerSearch?fromPage=INDIVIDUAL) health insurance assistor (https://www1.nyc.gov/assets/ochia/downloads/pdf/facilitated-enrollers.pdf)
  • Call 855-355-5777 (https://www.health.ny.gov/forms/doh-4220.pdf) or TTY: 800-662-1220 (https://www.health.ny.gov/forms/doh-5178a.pdf) Enroll through HRACall a Facilitated Enroller or HRA at 888-692-6116 to enroll in Medicaid and other programs if you are:
  • 65 or older
  • receiving Medicare and are not a parent/caretaker relative of minor children
  • living with a disability and/or blindness
  • a young adult under age 26 who was under foster care in the pastMail an application for MedicaidApply to Medicaid by mail if you are one of these:
  • 65 years old or older
  • certified blind
  • certified disabled
  • institutionalized and applying for coverage of nursing home careComplete the application and the Supplement A form. Mail your application to:MAP Initial Eligibility UnitPO Box 24390,Brooklyn, NY 11202

    Online

    Enroll in health insurance through NY State of Health (https://nystateofhealth.ny.gov/) for:

  • adults under 65
  • low-income pregnant women
  • children

    Enroll online

    By Mail

    Get Help

  • Learn more about your health insurance options through HRA's Citywide Health Insurance Access (https://www1.nyc.gov/site/ochia/coverage-care/insurance-options.page) .
  • GetCoveredNYC (https://www1.nyc.gov/nyc-resources/get-covered.page) helps New Yorkers enroll in health insurance. Dedicated specialists can assist you in your language for free.
  • Complete a Health Insurance Enrollment Assistance Inquiry Form (https://nycdohmh.surveymonkey.com/r/7BB62M3) to receive a call from an enrollment counselor. Free enrollment assistance is available regardless of immigration status and in many languages. Your information will be kept private.
  • Call 311 for general questions on health insurance and to find an in-person assistor.

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