Health insurance help for New York residents
Compare Medicare, health insurance marketplace plans and Medicaid in New York, with a guide for every county and each major city, reviewed by a licensed agent.
- Reviewed by Richard Lander, licensed agent (NPN 21255551)
- No cost to call
- No obligation to enroll
Medicaid is a government program that gives free or low-cost health coverage to people with limited income, such as some adults, children, pregnant women, seniors and people with disabilities. Each state runs its own Medicaid program and decides who qualifies. We are an independent insurance agency, and we cannot enroll you in Medicaid or check your Medicaid.
New York Medicaid: New York State Department of Health · 1-800-541-2831 (Medicaid Helpline) · health.ny.gov/health_care/medicaid
If your income is too high for Medicaid, or you want to compare health plans, call us. We can help with that.
Is your Medicare plan leaving in 2027?
84 Medicare plans are leaving at least one New York county for 2027. Look up your county to see which plans, and compare options before October 15th.
What is different about coverage in New York
New York Medicaid is administered by the New York State Department of Health, and New York runs its own state-based ACA marketplace, NY State of Health, instead of the federal HealthCare.gov site. New York Health Insurance is free to use for New York callers working through Medicare, ACA, life, or supplemental coverage questions.
- New York Medicaid is administered by the New York State Department of Health -- that agency, not the federal Marketplace, is the right place to start if your New York Medicaid eligibility changed.
- New York runs its own ACA marketplace, NY State of Health, instead of the federal HealthCare.gov site, and it also handles Medicaid and Child Health Plus enrollment through the same site.
- Free Medicare counseling is available in New York through HIICAP (Health Insurance Information, Counseling and Assistance Program) at 1-800-701-0501, separate from New York Health Insurance's own free phone help.
Worth knowing: New York's insurance regulator, the Department of Financial Services, oversees both insurance companies and banks under one agency -- a broader mandate than most states' insurance-only regulators, which is why DFS's consumer complaint process covers insurance alongside other financial products.
Coverage questions we help New York residents with
Health plans (ACA marketplace)
How New York’s marketplace works, who qualifies for help with costs, and when you can enroll.
Medicare
Turning 65, Medicare Advantage, Medigap and drug plans, with New York’s free counseling program.
Medicaid
Where to apply in New York, and what to do when your coverage changes.
New York by county
Medicare Advantage plans and marketplace premiums are set county by county, so the plans open to you depend on where in New York you live. Start with your county.
Major New York cities
New York colleges and universities
- State University of New York (SUNY)
- City University of New York (CUNY)
- University at Buffalo
- Stony Brook University
- Binghamton University
- University at Albany
State bird: Eastern Bluebird
Sialia sialis. New York’s official state bird, shown here as a local touch.
Photo: Dorsen36 (CC BY 4.0), via Wikimedia CommonsCommon New York questions
Where do I shop for ACA health plans in New York?
New York residents shop through NY State of Health (https://nystateofhealth.ny.gov). An independent agent such as Lander LLC can explain the plans for you, but the marketplace is the only place premium tax credits are applied.
How do I apply for Medicaid in New York?
Medicaid in New York is run through New York State Department of Health (https://www.health.ny.gov/health_care/medicaid/). Eligibility depends on income, household size and other factors, and it is decided by the state, not by an insurance agency.
Who regulates insurance in New York?
New York State Department of Financial Services (DFS) (https://www.dfs.ny.gov/complaint) regulates insurance companies and agents in New York. You can use it to check that an agent or company is licensed and to file a complaint.
Is there free, unbiased Medicare help in New York?
Yes. HIICAP (Health Insurance Information, Counseling and Assistance Program) (1-800-701-0501) offers free Medicare counseling through the State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP), separate from any insurance agency.
Does New York Health Insurance cost anything to use?
There is no cost to call or to speak with an agent. Insurance premiums and plan costs are set by the insurance companies and are separate from our help.
Talk with a licensed agent about New York coverage
Call Lander LLC to go over your options. There is no cost to call or to speak with an agent, and you are never required to enroll in anything.
Call 855-367-1095 Open 8 AM-10 PM Eastern timeReviewed by Richard Lander, licensed insurance agent (NPN 21255551), Lander LLC. Last updated October 3, 2026. This page is educational and is not a quote, an offer of coverage, or legal or tax advice.