Medicare in New York
Free counseling, Medigap rules and help paying costs in New York.
Medicare is a federal program, so Parts A and B work the same way in New York as everywhere else. What changes by state is who can buy a Medicare Supplement (Medigap) policy and when, which private plans are sold where you live, and the state programs that help with costs.
Reviewed by Joshua H. Pannell, Licensed Insurance Agent (SC license #400481) ·
Free Medicare counseling in New York
New York’s State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) is Health Insurance Information, Counseling and Assistance (HIICAP). Its counselors give free, one-on-one help with enrollment, comparing plans, Medigap, and programs that lower costs. They don’t sell insurance. Read more about what a SHIP counselor can do.
Medigap if you’re under 65 in New York
New York's year-round guarantee covers people under 65 on the same terms as at 65: beneficiaries who qualify through disability or end-stage renal disease can buy any Medigap policy at any time, with no medical underwriting, at community rated premiums.
Federal law only guarantees a Medigap Open Enrollment Period to people 65 and older, so state law decides what’s available before then. See Medicare under 65 on disability.
Switching Medigap plans: New York's year-round switching
New York has continuous open enrollment: insurers must accept Medigap applications at any time of year, with no medical underwriting and no premium distinctions for health status, and premiums are community rated. A new policy can still carry a pre-existing condition waiting period of up to six months, reduced by prior creditable coverage if any break in coverage stayed under 63 days.
New York requires Medigap premiums to be community rated, so an insurer charges everyone who buys the same policy the same premium regardless of age.
Every state also has the federal guaranteed issue rights, such as losing employer coverage or a Medicare Advantage plan leaving your area. See Medigap guaranteed issue rights and switching Medigap plans.
Help paying Medicare costs in New York
New York’s Medicaid program (New York Medicaid) also runs the Medicare Savings Programs, which can pay your Part B premium and, for some people, deductibles and coinsurance. States may set limits higher than the federal minimums, so apply even if your income is a little over them. Qualifying for one also gets you Extra Help with drug costs automatically.
New York also has a state pharmaceutical assistance program: EPIC (Elderly Pharmaceutical Insurance Coverage). Ask the SHIP whether you qualify.
If you qualify for both Medicare and full New York Medicaid coverage, read Medicare and Medicaid together.
Medicare Advantage and Part D plans in New York
Medicare Advantage and Part D plans are sold by county, so the plans, premiums and networks available in one part of New York can differ from another. The Medicare Plan Finder lists every plan for your ZIP code. You can change plans during Medicare Open Enrollment, October 15 to December 7.
Common questions
New York's State Health Insurance Assistance Program is Health Insurance Information, Counseling and Assistance (HIICAP), reachable at 1-800-701-0501. SHIP counselors give free, unbiased Medicare help and don't sell insurance.
New York's year-round guarantee covers people under 65 on the same terms as at 65: beneficiaries who qualify through disability or end-stage renal disease can buy any Medigap policy at any time, with no medical underwriting, at community rated premiums.
New York has continuous open enrollment: insurers must accept Medigap applications at any time of year, with no medical underwriting and no premium distinctions for health status, and premiums are community rated. A new policy can still carry a pre-existing condition waiting period of up to six months, reduced by prior creditable coverage if any break in coverage stayed under 63 days.
Original Medicare's rules, premiums and deductibles are the same in every state (the standard Part B premium is $202.90 a month in 2026). What varies is which Medicare Advantage and Part D plans are sold in your county, state Medigap rules, and state programs that help pay costs.
Want help with your own choices?
Every state runs a State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) with trained counselors who give free, unbiased Medicare help and do not sell plans. Find yours on our Medicare by state pages, or call Medicare at 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227) (TTY 1-877-486-2048, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week).
Planning the rest of your coverage in retirement? We can help with life insurance later in life and final expense coverage.
Sources
- Health Insurance Information, Counseling and Assistance (HIICAP), aging.ny.gov. Checked September 29, 2026.
- State Medigap Rules: Birthday Rule and Coverage for Under 65 (as of May 11, 2026), National Association of Insurance Commissioners. Checked September 29, 2026.
- Choosing a Medigap Policy (March 2026), Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. Checked September 29, 2026.
- Medicare Savings Programs, Medicare.gov. Checked September 29, 2026.
General information about the federal Medicare program, not advice about your situation. Figures are for 2026 unless stated and change every year; last reviewed September 29, 2026. Quote My Policy is a private company. Not connected with or endorsed by the United States government or the federal Medicare program.
Currently we represent 41 organizations which offer 397 products in your area. You can always contact Medicare.gov or 1-800-MEDICARE for help with plan choices.