Medicaid, Child Health Plus, and the Essential Plan are available for enrollment year-round. If you are currently enrolled in these programs, you will need to renew your coverage every 12 months. For Qualified Health Plans, you may only enroll during the Open Enrollment Period (beginning November 1) or during a Special Enrollment Period if you recently had a change in your family circumstances, income, or health insurance.
Benefits of Health Insurance
There is nothing more important than your health and the health of your family. Some benefits of health coverage include:
Health insurance can allow you to access essential healthcare services and help protect you from unexpected, high medical costs.
Insurance helps you stay healthy before you get sick or catch illnesses before they get worse.
Insurance plans cover routine preventive services, such as physical exams and vaccines.
Connect to Health Insurance and Care Options
In NYC, access to health care is a right. All New Yorkers have health coverage options they can enroll in, no matter your immigration status or income.
Explain your health insurance and care options, regardless of your immigration status.
Help you and your family enroll in or renew health insurance.
Find out if you qualify for financial help to pay for a low-cost private health insurance plan.
Assist you with applying for SNAP benefits (food stamps).
Counselor Locations by Borough
Search below by borough to find a counselor, call for more details, or to schedule your enrollment appointment. Help is available in many languages and regardless of immigration status.
Facilitated Enrollment for the Aged, Blind and Disabled
If you are 65 or older, certified blind or certified disabled, you may qualify for Medicaid. You can get free assistance to enroll in or renew your Medicaid, and apply for the Medicare and the Medicare Savings Program, which helps cover Medicare costs. Note, this assistance is separate from the NY State of Health Marketplace services.
Medicaid for Undocumented New Yorkers Age 65 and Older
Undocumented adults age 65 and older who meet income requirements are eligible for Medicaid. Medicaid offers comprehensive health coverage including routine doctors’ visits, prescriptions, mental health services and hospital stays.
To qualify, New Yorkers must have income at or below:
$21,600 for an individual
$29,196 for a household of two
Health Insurance Options for DACA Recipients
Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) recipients are eligible for the Essential Plan if they meet income and residency requirements. The Essential Plan covers doctors' visits, hospital care, screenings, prescription medicine, dental and vision benefits, and more with no monthly premium.
Due to changed federal policy, individuals with DACA are no longer eligible for Qualified Health Plans (QHPs). This applies to all QHPs offered through the NY State of Health.
Health Insurance for Children in the Early Intervention Program
If you have a child in the New York City Early Intervention Program, your child may qualify for Medicaid and other benefits, even if you already have health coverage.
Health Care Access
NYC Care is a program that guarantees low- and no-cost services for residents who do not qualify for or cannot afford health insurance.
Every New Yorker, regardless of their immigration status or ability to pay has the right to quality care. For more information, visit Immigrant Health Care.