Medicare - OCHIA

Human Resources Administration-Office of Citywide Health Insurance Access


Insurance OptionsHow to ApplyLow-Cost CareInsurance A-Z

Medicaid
Child Health Plus
Essential Plan
Private Insurance/Qualified Health Plans
Family Planning Benefit Program
Family Planning Extension Program
Medicare
COBRA
Small Business

Medicaid

Child Health Plus

Essential Plan

Private Insurance/Qualified Health Plans

Family Planning Benefit Program

Family Planning Extension Program

Medicare

COBRA

Small Business


Medicare

What is Medicare?

Medicare is a nationwide health insurance program run by the federal government. You can qualify for Medicare if you are age 65 or older and/or if you have certain disabilities or End-Stage Renal Disease (ERSD).

Medicare has four parts:

Part A

Hospital Insurance

Inpatient care in a hospital

Skilled nursing facilities

Hospice care

Some home health care

Part B

Medical Insurance

Doctors' visits and other services outside of a hospital

Home health care

Durable medical equipment, like a wheelchair

Limited prescription drugs

Part C

Medicare Advantage Plans

Hospital and medical care (Part A & B)

Prescription drugs (usually)

Other benefits and services at an extra cost (usually)

Part D

Prescription Drug Coverage

Prescription drugs not covered under Part B

Who is Eligible?

People 65 and older

People with permanent disabilities who receive Social Security Disability Insurance (after a two-year waiting period)

People with End-Stage Renal Disease or amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) (no waiting period)

**Note:** Most people don't pay a premium for Part A: Hospital Insurance because they or a spouse already paid for it through their payroll taxes while working.

Financial Help

If you have low income, you may qualify for:

Medicaid

Additional insurance to pay medical costs
Learn more about Medicaid

Medicare Savings Program (MSP)

Help to pay Medicare premiums and/or cost sharing like copays and deductibles (If you are disabled and working, you may qualify for a special MSP)
Learn more about MSP

Extra Help

Help to pay prescription drug costs
Learn more about extra help

For more information and to apply:

Get free, in-person help to apply. Learn about our Facilitated Enrollment for the Aged, Disabled and Blind Program.

Find In-Person Help.

Call the HRA Helpline: 888-692-6113

Visit a NYC HRA Medicaid Office

How to Apply

You will automatically get Medicare if you get Social Security or Railroad Retirement Board Benefits and you (a) turn 65 or (b) you've received disability benefits for 24 months.

If you are not automatically enrolled, you will need to sign up. You may be charged a late fee if you don't sign up for Medicare Part B: Medical Insurance when you are eligible.

Call 800-MEDICARE (800-633-4227) and say "Agent" to ask questions or apply. (TTY: 877-486-2048)

Visit the Social Security enrollment page to apply online

Helpful Links

Medicare.gov

HIICAP NYC
Department for the Aging program offering free, in-person or phone health insurance help for older adults in NYC
Telephone: 212-341-3978

Medicare Rights Center
a national, nonprofit consumer service organization.
Telephone: 800-333-4114

Social Security Administration (SSA) Medicare
Telephone: 800-772-1213

CMS.Gov
Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services