Free health insurance for low income residents
Medicaid | NYC Human Resources Administration (HRA), NYS Department of Health (NYSDOH)
1. How it Works
Medicaid provides free health insurance for low-income adults and children. It may also provide up to 90 days of retroactive coverage for unpaid medical bills if you request this coverage when you apply and were eligible during those 90 days.
Medicaid covers
doctor and clinic visits, and regular exams
immunizations
relevant medical supplies and equipment
lab tests and x-rays
vision and dental
nursing home services
hospital stays and emergencies
prescriptions
Proof of citizenship or immigration status required. However, undocumented immigrants are eligible if they’re 65 or older.
2. Determine your eligibility
You’re eligible for Medicaid if:
you live in New York
you’re a U.S. citizen or meet immigration status requirements
Undocumented immigrants regardless of age are eligible for Medicaid, only for the treatment of emergency medical conditions
If you’re pregnant or undocumented and 65 or older, you may be eligible for Medicaid
you meet certain income eligibility limits based on your household size:
adults 65 and older, people with a disability or visual impairment
See income limits for all Medicaid populations.
If your income is too high for Medicaid, you could still get Medicaid through the Medicaid Excess Income Program.
3. What you need to include
You’ll need documents that show
proof of identity
U.S. citizenship and/or immigration status
date of birth
income
4. How to apply
Here are your options.
Apply online
For adults under 65, pregnant women, and children, enroll online at NY State of Health.
If you’re in one of the groups below, apply on ACCESS HRA:
adults 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 past
Apply by mail
If you’re in one of the groups below, complete the paper application and the Supplement A form.
65 years old or older
certified blind
certified disabled
institutionalized and applying for coverage of nursing home care
Mail your application to:
MAP Initial Eligibility Unit, PO Box 24390, Brooklyn, NY 11202
Apply by phone
For adults under 65, pregnant women, and children:
Call 855-355-5777 or TTY: 800-662-1220
If you’re in one of the groups below, call a Facilitated Enroller or call HRA at 888-692-6116:
adults 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 past
If you’re an undocumented immigrant 65 or older, call HRA at 347-396-4705 to enroll.
Apply in person
For adults under 65, pregnant women, and children:
Enroll in person through a health insurance assistor.
If you’re in one of the groups below, visit a Facilitated Enroller:
adults 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 past