Important Changes to New York Medicaid, Child Health Plus and the Essential Plan
Do you or a family member currently have health insurance through New York State Medicaid, Child Health Plus or the Essential Plan?
Starting this spring, New York State will resume eligibility reviews and renewals for people enrolled in these programs. This means you may need to take action to renew your health insurance or the insurance of your family members.
Here are some things you can do now to get ready.
1) Sign up for text alerts
Sign up to receive SMS/MMS Text alerts from NY State of Health so you don't miss important health insurance updates, including when it's time to renew your coverage. To subscribe, text START to 1-866-988-0327.
2) Make sure your address is up to date
Make sure NY State of Health has your current mailing address, phone number and email address so they can contact you about your health insurance. To update your information:
- Call NY State of Health at 1-855-355-5777 (TTY: 1-800-662-1220)
- Log into your account at nystateofhealth.ny.gov, or
- Contact an enrollment assistor
If you enrolled in Medicaid through the Westchester County Department of Social Services please call us at (914) 995-333 or visit your local District Office to update your address and contact information.
3) Take Action
When it is time to renew your health insurance, you will receive a letter from NY State of Health or a renewal packet if you enrolled through DSS. This letter/packet will let you know what you need to do to renew your coverage and how much time you have to respond. Follow the instructions right away to avoid a possible gap in your coverage
Medical Assistance (MA/Medicaid) is help for people who cannot afford to pay for all of their medical care. Most MA in Westchester County is provided through Medicaid Managed Care.
The State of New York Department of Health describes how medical information about you may be used and disclosed and how you can get access to this information. Please review this Privacy Notice carefully.
Eligibility for MA or Children's MA
You may be eligible for Medical Assistance if you receive public assistance, Supplemental Security Income (SSI), or if you meet income, resource, age or disability criteria. There are special programs to help if you are pregnant or have a child. If you are pregnant, a worker at the clinic or hospital you are using for prenatal care can assist you to apply for Medicaid. If you have a child, he/she may be eligible for Children's Medicaid which provides the same benefits as Medicaid.
Medicaid Buy-In Program for Working People with Disabilities
The Medicaid Buy-In Program offers Medicaid coverage to people with disabilities who are working, and earning more than the allowable limits for regular Medicaid, the opportunity to retain their health care coverage through Medicaid. This program allows working people with disabilities to earn more income without the risk of losing vital health care coverage.
Applications for Medicaid Buy-In Program should be filed at the district office serving your area.
Transitional Medical Assistance
Transitional Medical Assistance is a program that provides continued medical assistance coverage to people who become ineligible for family assistance and who have a dependent child under the age of 21 living with them. Transitional MA benefits are available for six months to those who lose family assistance due to:
- new employment
- increased earned income
- loss of earned income
An additional six months to a year of coverage, may be possible if the person remains employed, has earned income below certain levels and has a dependent child under the age of 21 living with them.
Medical Services paid by Medicaid in New York State
- inpatient care in hospitals
- outpatient care at hospitals
- physician services
- clinic services
- dental care
- drugs, prescription and non-prescription (some co-pays apply)
- eyeglasses
- nursing home care
- personal care/long term home health care
- domiciliary care facilities
- child teen/health program
- managed care
- prenatal care
- family planning
- laboratory and X-ray services
- mental health services
- health insurance and Medicare premium payments
Long-term care
NY Connects provides information about long-term care options for seniors and for disabled children and adults. The local contact number is (914) 813-6300.
For those ineligible for Medicaid, visit Family Health Plus and Child Health Plus for more information.