If you have any questions about Medicare Part D or about choosing a Part D prescription drug plan or changing the one in which you were enrolled by Medicare, please call 311.

Medicaid is a program for New Yorkers who can not afford to pay for medical care. Medicaid is the largest source of funding for medical and health-related services for people with limited income. Public health insurance programs are administered nationwide by the United States Department of Health and Human Services, through its Center for Medicaid and Medicare Services (CMS). CMS provides approval of state plans and ensures compliance with federal regulations.

In New York City, the Human Resources Administration/Department of Social Services (HRA/DSS), through its Medical Assistance Program division (MAP), is responsible for the administration of public health insurance. MAP determines and maintains eligibility, based upon consumer income and/or resource levels, for each of the available health insurance programs and their related services. HRA administers health insurance for low-income families and individuals; persons receiving SSI or cash assistance are automatically eligible; pregnant women, children and persons who are 65 and over, disabled or blind.

Medicaid also helps pay premiums for Medicare, AIDS health insurance and the COBRA insurance continuation program.

Buy-in applicants whose income exceeds the guidelines, but have medical bills that equal the difference, may be eligible for coverage from the Surplus Income Program.

There are currently five different public health insurance programs available in New York City. They are Medicaid (MA), Child Health Plus (CHP A and CHP B), Family Health Plus (FHP), the Family Planning Benefit Program (FPBP) and the Medicaid Buy-in Program for Working People with Disabilities (MBI-WPD). Also available from MAP are related social service programs such as Home Care Services (HCS) and Adult Protective Services (APS). To obtain further details about these programs and services, or to apply, please visit any one of the Medical Assistance Program offices listed below:

• Medicaid Renewal Instructions Form and Medicaid Office Locations.pdf
• Medical information Privacy Notice.pdf: Find out how Medical information about you may be used and disclosed, and how you can get access to this information.
• Online Pre-screening for Public Health Insurance.