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Health
Health Insurance Assistance | NYC Human Resources Administration (HRA), NYS Department of Health (NYSDOH)
1. How it Works
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.
- Private health insurance plans are plans where you pay a certain amount for coverage. These are also known as Qualified Health Plans.
- 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.
- 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.
- You must renew your public health insurance every year. Do the following to renew your coverage and stay covered:
Next section:
2. Determine Your Eligibility
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All New Yorkers, regardless of immigration status Health
More ways to get help with this program
Learn more about health insurance options
Learn more about your options through HRA’s Citywide Health Insurance Access.
Request enrollment help
GetCoveredNYC helps New Yorkers enroll in health insurance. Dedicated specialists can assist you in your language for free.
Request a counselor call
Complete a Health Insurance Enrollment Assistance Inquiry Form 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.
2. Determine your eligibility
You may qualify for free or low-cost public health insurance based on your age and income.
- See the eligibility criteria for Medicaid, Child Health Plus, or the Essential Plan.
- If your income is too high for Medicaid, you could still get Medicaid through the Medicaid Excess Income Program.
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 (646-692-2273) to enroll in NYC Care.
- Visit the NYC Care website to find NYC Health + Hospitals patient care sites near you.
Take a short survey to see if you might be eligible for this or 30 other programs.
Am I Eligible?Next section:
3. What You Need to Include
3. What you need to include
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
Next section:
4. How to Apply
4. How to apply
Here are your options.
Apply online
Enroll in health insurance through NY State of Health for:
Apply by mail
Apply to Medicaid by mail if you are: Complete the application and the Supplement A form. Mail your application to:
MAP Initial Eligibility Unit
PO Box 24390,
Brooklyn, NY 11202
Apply by phone
Adults under 65, low-income pregnant women, and children must enroll in health insurance through NY State of Health. Call 855-355-5777 or TTY: 800-662-1220. Call the HRA Helpline at 888-692-6116 to enroll in Medicaid if you are:
Apply in person
Health insurance assistors can help these groups enroll in health insurance: HRA has Facilitated Enrollers to help you enroll in Medicaid and other programs if you are:
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More ways to get help with this program
Learn more about health insurance options
Learn more about your options through HRA’s Citywide Health Insurance Access.
Request enrollment help
GetCoveredNYC helps New Yorkers enroll in health insurance. Dedicated specialists can assist you in your language for free.
Request a counselor call
Complete a Health Insurance Enrollment Assistance Inquiry Form 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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