How does Medicaid work?

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.

Am I eligible for Medicaid?

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: children under 1 year old 1- 18 years of age 19 and 20 year olds living with their parents pregnant women adults under 65, caretakers, and parents adults 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 documents that show: proof of identity U.S. citizenship and/or immigration status date of birth income resources, if you’re 65 and older or if you have a disability

How do I Apply to Medicaid?

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 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 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. 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

Medicaid – ACCESS NYC

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.

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:
- children under 1 year old
- 1- 18 years of age
- 19 and 20 year olds living with their parents
- pregnant women
- adults under 65, caretakers, and parents
- adults 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 you need to include

You’ll need documents that show:

proof of identity
U.S. citizenship and/or immigration status
date of birth
income
resources, if you’re 65 and older or if you have a disability

How to apply

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

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

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.

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

More information

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Last Updated October 11, 2024

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Free health insurance for low income residents

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

How it Works

More ways to get help with this program

Determine your eligibility

What you need to include

How to apply

More information