Medicaid Now Covers Undocumented New Yorkers Aged 65 and Older

Exciting news for New Yorkers aged 65 and older, regardless of immigration status!

A new health coverage option is now available for many immigrants in this age group residing in New York. Undocumented immigrants who are 65 and older and meet income and other eligibility requirements can now enroll in Medicaid, marking a significant expansion in access to healthcare.

Medicaid insurance provides coverage for critical preventive and primary care benefits, including routine doctor visits, screenings, lab tests, wellness services, prescription drugs, and more. This expansion offers an opportunity for improved health coverage for eligible individuals.

Navigating the enrollment process for health insurance can be daunting. To assist with this process, GetCoveredNYC Specialists from the NYC Public Engagement Unit are available to answer questions about Medicaid, other health insurance options, enrollment procedures, and more.

Individuals aged 65 or older, certified blind, certified disabled, or undocumented immigrants aged 65 or older may be eligible for Medicaid. New York City Health Department enrollment counselors are stationed at various locations throughout the city to provide assistance. Appointments can be scheduled either by visiting one of the designated sites or by directly contacting them by phone.

The expanded Medicaid coverage falls under Medicaid Managed Care plans, which comprehensively cover various healthcare needs, including routine doctor visits, recommended screenings, lab tests, prescription drugs, and more. Additionally, Medicaid Rx assists with pharmacy expenses.

Under this new policy, current Emergency Medicaid recipients will be seamlessly transitioned to the expanded insurance scheme and will receive detailed instructions on selecting a Medicaid Managed Care plan. Those who may qualify but are not yet enrolled in Emergency Medicaid can sign up through the Human Resources Administration.

Eligibility criteria for Medicaid include residency in New York, being 65 years old or older, and meeting income and resource thresholds. For instance, income must be at or below $20,121 for an individual or at or below $27,214 for a household of two, with corresponding resource limits.

Individuals already benefiting from Emergency Medicaid will automatically transition to Expanded Medicaid. They will receive communication from NY State of Health instructing them to choose a Medicaid Managed Care Plan by a specified date. Following plan selection, individuals will receive notification of their new insurance’s start date.

For assistance with enrollment or inquiries about Medicaid expansion, individuals can contact GetCoveredNYC by dialing 311 and asking for “GetCoveredNYC.”

For those who do not qualify for Medicaid, alternative healthcare options are available in New York City. NYC Care is a healthcare access program offering low-cost and no-cost services to individuals who do not qualify for or cannot afford health insurance. GetCoveredNYC can provide guidance on accessing suitable healthcare options.