New York
Medicare help in New York
Free, unbiased counseling, help paying premiums and drug costs, how to check an agent before you talk to one, and the New York rules that affect your Medigap choices.
Free counseling
HIICAP
Health Insurance Information, Counseling and Assistance Program (HIICAP) is New York's State Health Insurance Assistance Program. Trained counselors answer Medicare questions, compare plans with you and help you apply for savings programs, at no cost. They don't sell insurance.
Help paying for Medicare in New York
If your income and savings are limited, these programs can lower your premiums and drug costs. Many people who qualify never apply.
Medicare Savings Programs
New York Medicaid runs New York's Medicare Savings Programs. They pay your Part B premium, and the fullest one (QMB) also pays Part A premiums, deductibles and copays. You don't need to qualify for full Medicaid.
The 2026 federal minimum limits: income up to $1,350 a month single or $1,824 married for full help (QMB), or up to $1,816 single or $2,455 married for help with the Part B premium, and savings up to $9,950 single or $14,910 married. Your home and one car don't count. States can be more generous.
New York allows more income than the federal minimum: in 2026, up to 138% of the federal poverty level for full help (QMB) and up to 186% for help with the Part B premium (QI).
Extra Help with drug costs
Extra Help is a federal program, run by Social Security, that lowers Part D premiums, deductibles and copays. In 2026 you may qualify with income up to $23,940 a year single or $32,460 married, and resources up to $18,090 single or $36,100 married. If you get a Medicare Savings Program, Medicaid or SSI, you get Extra Help automatically. Apply with Social Security.
New York drug assistance program
EPIC (Elderly Pharmaceutical Insurance Coverage)
Who qualifies: New York residents 65 or older with income up to $75,000 single or $100,000 married who have or can get Part D and don't have full Medicaid.
What it pays: Secondary coverage that lowers your drug costs after any Part D deductible. Members with lower incomes also get help with the Part D premium.
Call 1-800-332-3742
Sources: Medicaid.gov state contacts, New York's own Medicaid pages and Medicare.gov's state program list, checked October 27, 2026. Limits change every year; confirm with New York Medicaid before you apply. How Extra Help and savings programs work.
Check an agent's license in New York
The New York State Department of Financial Services licenses insurance agents in New York. Before you share personal information, look the agent up by name or National Producer Number (NPN) and make sure their license is active and includes health insurance.
Medigap rules in New York
Switching plans later
New York gives people who already have Medigap a way to switch without health questions: Year-round open enrollment.
If you're under 65
Insurers in New York must offer Medigap to people under 65 who have Medicare. Plans and prices can be limited. More on Medigap under 65.
Source: NAIC state Medigap chart, May 11, 2026. Confirm with the New York State Department of Financial Services before changing coverage.
Dates that apply everywhere
- October 15 to December 7: Open Enrollment, when you can change Medicare Advantage and drug plans. All enrollment periods
- January 1 to March 31: people in Medicare Advantage can switch plans or go back to Original Medicare once.
- Around your 65th birthday: your 7-month window to sign up. Turning 65
Common questions in New York
Where can I get free Medicare help in New York?
Health Insurance Information, Counseling and Assistance Program (HIICAP) is New York's State Health Insurance Assistance Program. Its counselors help with Medicare questions for free and don't sell insurance. Call 1-800-701-0501.
How do I check a Medicare agent's license in New York?
The New York State Department of Financial Services licenses insurance agents. Use its license lookup to search by the agent's name or National Producer Number (NPN), or call 1-800-342-3736.
How do I get help paying Medicare premiums in New York?
Apply for a Medicare Savings Program through New York Medicaid. These programs pay your Part B premium, and sometimes your deductibles and copays. New York allows more income than the federal minimum: in 2026, up to 138% of the federal poverty level for full help (QMB) and up to 186% for help with the Part B premium (QI). New York's free SHIP counselors (1-800-701-0501) can help you apply.
Does New York help pay for prescriptions?
New York has a state drug assistance program: EPIC (Elderly Pharmaceutical Insurance Coverage). Extra Help, a federal program run by Social Security, also lowers Part D premiums and copays for people with limited income.
Does New York have a Medigap birthday rule?
New York gives people who already have Medigap a way to switch plans without health questions: Year-round open enrollment.
Can I buy Medigap under 65 in New York?
Insurers in New York must offer Medigap to people under 65 who have Medicare. Plans and prices can be limited.
State contacts checked against official New York sites on October 26, 2026. General information, not advice about a specific plan. How we check facts.