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New York Medicaid 2027: Eligibility, Phone Numbers and How to Apply

By Brian Monahan Updated October 29, 2026

Reviewed October 29, 2026. New York Medicaid is free or low-cost health coverage for New Yorkers with limited income. In 2026, most adults ages 19 to 64 qualify with income up to $1,836 a month for one person ($22,025 a year), and people with Medicare can get full Medicaid with income up to $1,836 a month and resources up to $33,038. Most people apply through NY State of Health (1-855-355-5777); in New York City, people 65 and older or with a disability apply through HRA (1-888-692-6116).

Quick answer: Call the New York Medicaid Helpline at 1-800-541-2831 for general questions, NY State of Health at 1-855-355-5777 to apply or renew if you’re under 65 without Medicare, and the NYC HRA Medicaid Helpline at 1-888-692-6116 if you live in NYC and are 65+, blind or disabled. Big changes are coming: starting January 1, 2027, some adults 19 to 64 must show work or other activities to keep Medicaid, and some will renew every 6 months.

New York Medicaid phone numbers

What you need	Who to call
General Medicaid questions	New York Medicaid Helpline: 1-800-541-2831
Apply or renew (under 65 without Medicare, families, children, pregnant people)	NY State of Health: 1-855-355-5777 (TTY 1-800-662-1220)
Apply or renew in NYC if you’re 65+, blind or disabled	NYC HRA Medicaid Helpline: 1-888-692-6116, or apply online with ACCESS HRA
Choose or change a Medicaid health plan	New York Medicaid Choice: 1-800-505-5678
Rides to medical appointments	Medical Answering Services (MAS): 844-666-6270 downstate (including NYC), 866-932-7740 upstate
CDPAP (consumer-directed personal care)	Public Partnerships LLC (PPL): 1-833-247-5346
Outside NYC, 65+ or disabled	Your county Department of Social Services

Who qualifies for Medicaid in New York (2026 limits)

New York’s 2026 limits took effect January 1, 2026. The state usually publishes 2027 limits early in the year, so these 2026 figures apply until then.

Group	1 person	2 people	Resource (asset) limit
Adults 19-64 without Medicare (138% of poverty)	$1,836 a month ($22,025 a year)	$2,489 a month ($29,864 a year)	None
Full Medicaid for people with Medicare (dual eligibles)	$1,836 a month	$2,489 a month	$33,038 (1) / $44,796 (2)
Medicare Savings Program: QMB (138% of poverty)	$1,836 a month	$2,489 a month	No resource limit listed
Medicare Savings Program: QI (below 186% of poverty)	$2,474 a month	$3,355 a month	No resource limit listed

Medicaid allows a $20 deduction from gross monthly income for the Medicare Savings Program and full Medicaid for dual eligibles, so the effective limit for one person is $1,856 a month. Children and pregnant people qualify at higher incomes. If your income is too high, you may still qualify through a spenddown, or through the Essential Plan or a subsidized Qualified Health Plan on NY State of Health.

Medicaid changes in New York for 2026 and 2027

Work requirements start January 1, 2027. NY State of Health says some adults 19 to 64 must “Earn income of at least $580 per month” or “Complete at least 80 hours per month” of work, school, job training or volunteering. People 65 and older, pregnant or postpartum people, people enrolled in Medicaid with a disability, certain caregivers and others are exempt. Notices went out between mid-August and September 30, 2026.
Six-month renewals. “Some adults ages 19–64 will need to renew their Medicaid every 6 months instead of once a year.” Children and people with disabilities still renew yearly.
Immigrant coverage. Starting October 1, 2026, some refugees, asylees, parolees and survivors of domestic violence or trafficking may move from Medicaid to the Essential Plan; the state says “You will not experience a change in your benefits as a result.”
Essential Plan. Enrollees with income between 200% and 250% of poverty lost Essential Plan coverage on July 1, 2026, and may qualify for a Qualified Health Plan with financial help.
NYC case management. HRA says that starting January 1, 2027, New York will separate Medicaid from Cash Assistance case management.

How to apply for Medicaid in New York

The state says “Where you apply for Medicaid will depend on your category of eligibility.”

NY State of Health (online at nystateofhealth.ny.gov or 1-855-355-5777) for adults 19 to 64 without Medicare, parents, children and pregnant people. The state also lists people 65+ who aren’t seeking long-term care and Medicare Savings Program applicants.
NYC HRA for New York City residents “age 65 or over” and people “living with a disability or blindness.” Apply online with ACCESS HRA, by phone or at a Medicaid office. HRA says “Clients must provide proof of residency, identity, income, and immigration status,” and people who aren’t enrolled in Medicare must enroll as a condition of eligibility.
Your local Department of Social Services outside NYC for people who are 65+, blind or disabled, need community-based long-term care, or are applying with a spenddown.

After approval, you’ll get a Benefit Identification Card. In New York City, the same card works as your EBT card. Learn more in our guide to the Medicaid benefits card, and see how to check your Medicaid status.

Choosing a Medicaid health plan

Most New York Medicaid members join a managed care plan. In all five NYC boroughs, the state’s plan directory lists Anthem, Fidelis Care, EmblemHealth (HIP), Healthfirst, MetroPlus Health Plan, Molina Healthcare of New York and UnitedHealthcare, plus HIV special needs plans (Amida Care, MetroPlus SNP and VNS Choice SNP). New York Medicaid Choice (1-800-505-5678) helps you pick one.

After you join, “You can change health plans at any time during this 90-day period.” After 90 days, you’re locked in for 9 more months unless you have a good reason to switch. If you don’t choose, “New York State will choose a plan for you.”

What New York Medicaid covers

Medical care: doctor visits, hospital care, lab tests, mental health and substance use care, and home care.
Dental: exams, cleanings, X-rays, fillings, extractions, dentures, crowns, root canals and “Implants in certain circumstances.” Since January 31, 2024, replacement dentures and implants no longer need a letter from your doctor.
Vision: “vision care and eyeglasses” are covered.
Prescriptions through NYRx: NYRx has covered managed care members’ prescriptions since April 1, 2023. OTC drugs “require a fiscal order” (a prescriber’s order). Medicaid doesn’t give an OTC allowance card; see OTC cards in New York City for Medicare plans that do.
Transportation: non-emergency rides through Medical Answering Services.
Long-term care: nursing home care and community-based care such as personal care and CDPAP.

Medicaid doesn’t pay for groceries. Food help comes from SNAP; see does Medicaid give a food card.

Long-term care and Medicaid in New York

Nursing home Medicaid looks back at asset transfers, and New York says “there is no change to lookback requirements or transfer of assets rules” for nursing home care. A 30-month lookback for community-based long-term care has been delayed repeatedly; check with your local DSS or HRA before you transfer assets. For 2026, the community spouse can keep resources of the greater of $74,820 or the spousal share, up to $162,660, and has a monthly income standard of $4,066.50. Since April 1, 2025, Public Partnerships LLC (PPL) has been the single statewide fiscal intermediary for CDPAP.

If you have Medicare and Medicaid in New York

Medicare pays first, and Medicaid can cover your Medicare premiums and cost sharing. The 2026 Part B premium is $202.90 a month; the Medicare Savings Program can pay it. You can also join a Dual Eligible Special Needs Plan; New York’s Medicaid Advantage Plus (MAP) plans include long-term care, while IB-Dual plans are for people who don’t need long-term care. Many of these plans include OTC cards; compare them in our NYC OTC card guide and our overview of Medicare Advantage plans in New York.

Frequently asked questions

What is the New York Medicaid phone number?

The New York Medicaid Helpline is 1-800-541-2831. To apply or renew, call NY State of Health at 1-855-355-5777, or the NYC HRA Medicaid Helpline at 1-888-692-6116 if you’re 65+, blind or disabled and live in NYC.

What is the income limit for Medicaid in NY in 2026?

For most adults 19 to 64, it’s $1,836 a month ($22,025 a year) for one person and $2,489 a month for two. People with Medicare can get full Medicaid with income up to $1,836 a month and resources up to $33,038 for one person.

Will I have to work to keep Medicaid in New York?

Some adults 19 to 64 will, starting January 1, 2027: at least 80 hours a month of work or qualifying activities, or at least $580 a month in earnings. People 65 and older, people with disabilities, pregnant people and certain caregivers are exempt.

How do I replace my New York Medicaid card?

Call NY State of Health at 1-855-355-5777 if you enrolled there. In NYC, call the HRA Medicaid Helpline at 1-888-692-6116. Outside NYC, contact your local Department of Social Services.

Does New York Medicaid cover dental implants?

In certain circumstances. Since January 31, 2024, implants and replacement dentures no longer need a letter from your physician, but your dentist still has to show they’re medically necessary.

Does New York Medicaid give free food or OTC cards?

No. Medicaid covers some OTC drugs with a prescription through NYRx. Food help comes from SNAP, and OTC cards come from Medicare Advantage plans, mostly D-SNPs for people with Medicare and Medicaid.

This article is general information. Medicare365 is not affiliated with or endorsed by the New York State Department of Health, NY State of Health, NYC HRA, any health plan or any U.S. government agency.