Public Health Insurance
You and/or members of your family may be eligible
for New York State's free or low-cost public health insurance programs. New York State’s comprehensive public health
insurance programs include Child Health Plus, Family Health Plus, and
Medicaid. These programs have
varying eligibility requirements based on income, assets, immigration status,
and other factors.
Why is Health Insurance Important?
It pays for the medical care, regular check-ups that can help prevent or treat illnesses such as diabetes or asthma before they get too serious, and it also pays for:
Available Health Insurance Programs
Children under age 19 may be eligible for either Medicaid (coverage for children) or Child Health Plus. Almost all children can qualify, regardless of their immigration status.
Adults aged 19 to 64 who have limited incomes may be eligible for Medicaid or Family Health Plus.
Pregnant women with limited income regardless of their immigration status can receive Prenatal Care Services through Medicaid.
Adults 65 years or older can obtain health care coverage through Medicare. Many older adults may qualify for Medicaid.
Family Planning Benefit Program provides family planning services to females of child bearing age and males.
HIV Special Needs Plans is a special health insurance option for people enrolled in Medicaid living with HIV/AIDS and their children up to the age of 19, whether or not the children have HIV or AIDS.
Medicaid Buy-In Program for Working People with Disabilities offers people with disabilities who are working, and earning more than the allowable limits for regular Medicaid, the opportunity to keep their health care coverage through Medicaid.
Medicaid Surplus Income Program offers Medicaid coverage to individuals whose net monthly income is above the Medicaid income limits and who meet all other Medicaid eligibility requirements.