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Compare options, including Medicare Advantage, Medicare Supplement, and prescription plans.
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Connect with Medicare agents in New York
Noah Wilson
Toni Aldridge
Kevin Hatfield
Shannon Davis
Tyler Eby
Kayla Torry
Brandon Kauffman
Calvin Fritz
Sara Morrissey
Matt Willenborg
Why work with a Medicare agent
Enroll in Medicare
Get the help you need to enroll in Medicare, from Original Medicare to supplemental coverage.
Use your coverage
Receive extended support to help you use your plan effectively, find doctors, and get savings.
A Snapshot of Medicare in New York
Medicare Advantage is slightly more popular than Original Medicare in New York. 52% of enrollees have a Medicare Advantage plan, while 48% have Original Medicare as their coverage option.
New York is one of a few states that limits Medicare Part B excess charges. Non-participating physicians accept Medicare but may not agree to the Medicare-approved amount for the services they provide. If your non-participating physician does not accept the Medicare-approved amount, they may only charge you an additional 5% of the approved cost for most services. This helps minimize out-of-pocket expenses for New York Medicare beneficiaries.
New York has a program called Elderly Pharmaceutical Insurance Coverage (EPIC) that helps eligible adults pay for out-of-pocket prescription drug costs. It can work alongside Medicare Part D coverage to cover copayments for prescribed medications.
Medicare-eligible New York residents with limited incomes may qualify for the Qualified Medicare Beneficiary (QMB), Qualifying Individual (QI), and Specified Low-Income Medicare Beneficiary (SLMB) programs, which help with Medicare Part A and/or Part B costs. Those who qualify for any of these programs automatically qualify for the Extra Help program, which helps pay prescription drug costs. The Qualified Disabled and Working Individual (QDWI) program can help some disabled Medicare beneficiaries with their Part A costs.
How to apply for Medicare in New York?
Medicare eligibility in New York follows the same nationwide rules as everywhere else in the country. You qualify for Medicare as a US citizen if you meet one of these criteria:
- You're 65 or older
- You have a qualifying disability, such as End-Stage Renal Disease or ALS
- You've received SSDI for 24 months or more
Enrolling in New York takes three key steps:
- Sign up for Original Medicare (Part A and Part B)
- Decide on your supplemental coverage:
- Medicare Supplement (Medigap)
- Medicare Advantage (Part C)
- Part D (prescription drug coverage)
- Confirm your doctors are in network, update your pharmacy with your new plan, and activate any additional benefits included with your coverage
FAQs
What should I look for when choosing Medicare help in New York?
When considering your Medicare options in New York, you should look for a Licensed Medicare agent to help you find the right coverage for you based on your providers, prescriptions, and needs. They should help you evaluate a broad range of options to find the right fit. Chapter's Medicare Advisors have the experience and qualifications to provide you with the support you need. Schedule a free consultation or contact Chapter at (855) 900-2427, and they'll be happy to help.
Can New York residents enroll in Medigap at any time of year?
New York has a continuous guaranteed issue right for Medigap. This means that, if you are eligible to enroll in Medigap, you can enroll at any time—and insurance companies cannot charge you more or deny your application based on your health history. Insurers may impose a six-month waiting period for preexisting conditions if you didn't have six months of continuous creditable coverage before buying a policy. Make sure you understand the differences between the different Medigap plans as well as your other Medicare coverage options to make sure you get the right coverage for your health and budget needs.
Why can Medicare Advantage options vary so much across New York State?
Insurers offer different Medicare Advantage plans in different counties. Some counties in New York will have fewer plan choices than others. The plans offered in each county may have different provider networks. Different plans will also charge different premiums and offer different prescription drug coverage.
Are Medigap premiums the same for everyone in New York?
New York requires that insurers offering Medigap plans use community ratings for all beneficiaries 65 and older. That means the cost of each Medigap plan doesn't vary based on age or gender. However, rates can differ based on where you live, whether you smoke, and which insurer you choose. So, you should still compare premiums with the coverage offered by each plan to choose the best one.
