How does Medicaid work?

No monthly premium Some services have a small copay, but you’ll never pay more than $200 total You may be able to get coverage for unpaid medical bills from the past 90 days – ask when you apply You’ll need proof of citizenship or immigration status to apply You can enroll in Medicaid at any time during the year through NY State of Health

Am I eligible for Medicaid?

You may qualify for Medicaid if you: Live in New York State Are a U.S. citizen or meet immigration status requirements Meet income limits for your age group and household size Check your income limit: Children under age 1 Children ages 1-18 Ages 19-20 living with your parents Pregnant people Adults under age 65, caretakers, and parents Adults ages 65 and older, people with a disability or visual impairment If your income is too high for Medicaid, you could still qualify through the Medicaid Excess Income Program .

What do I need in order to apply to Medicaid?

You’ll need to show proof of: Identity and date of birth (a passport, driver’s license, or birth certificate) U.S. citizenship or immigration status Your current home address (a lease, utility bills, or a government ID card with address) Your income for the past four weeks (paystubs, signed and dated letter from your employer, benefits letters) You may also need to provide: Proof of resources such as bank statements (required if you’re 65 or older or have a disability) Current health insurance information, if you have it Medical bills from the past three months, if you’re applying for retroactive coverage

How do I Apply to Medicaid?

Apply at NY State of Health if you are: Under 65 Pregnant A child Apply at ACCESS HRA if you are: 65 or older On Medicare with no minor children Living with a disability or blindness Under 26 and previously in foster care 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 347-396-4705 , a Facilitated Enroller , or 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. Visit any Medicaid office or a health insurance assistor to enroll in-person for free.

Medicaid – ACCESS NYC

How it works

Get free health insurance through Medicaid. Coverage includes doctor visits, hospital stays, mental health care, vision and dental, prescriptions, and more.

No monthly premium
Some services have a small copay, but you’ll never pay more than $200 total
You may be able to get coverage for unpaid medical bills from the past 90 days – ask when you apply
You’ll need proof of citizenship or immigration status to apply
You can enroll in Medicaid at any time during the year through NY State of Health

Eligibility requirements

You may qualify for Medicaid if you:

Live in New York State
Are a U.S. citizen or meet immigration status requirements
Meet income limits for your age group and household size

Check your income limit:

If your income is too high for Medicaid, you could still qualify through the Medicaid Excess Income Program.

Immigration status requirements

If you’re undocumented, you can get Medicaid coverage for emergency medical treatment, regardless of age.

You may be eligible for full Medicaid coverage if you are:

65 or older
Pregnant

All other eligibility requirements still apply.

Required documents

You’ll need to show proof of:

Identity and date of birth (a passport, driver’s license, or birth certificate)
U.S. citizenship or immigration status
Your current home address (a lease, utility bills, or a government ID card with address)
Your income for the past four weeks (paystubs, signed and dated letter from your employer, benefits letters)

You may also need to provide:

Proof of resources such as bank statements (required if you’re 65 or older or have a disability)
Current health insurance information, if you have it
Medical bills from the past three months, if you’re applying for retroactive coverage

How to apply

Apply at NY State of Health if you are:

Under 65
Pregnant
A child

Apply at ACCESS HRA if you are:

65 or older
On Medicare with no minor children
Living with a disability or blindness
Under 26 and previously in foster care

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 347-396-4705, a Facilitated Enroller, or 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.

Visit any Medicaid office or a health insurance assistor to enroll in-person for free.

Get help

GetCoveredNYC — the NYC’s free health insurance enrollment service — connects you with a specialist who can help you sign up in your preferred language.

Come back to it later.
We can send you a link to this page to help you get back to it when you’re ready.

Last Updated April 7, 2026

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Free health insurance for low-income residents

Medicaid | NYC Human Resources Administration (HRA), NYS Department of Health (NYSDOH)