Low-Income Health Insurance in New York
New Yorkers with low incomes might be able to get coverage through Medicaid or the New York Essentials Plan. Children also have a few options for free or cheap health insurance.
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You can get Medicaid in New York if you make less than $1,800 per month. If you make up to $3,260 per month but can't get Medicaid, the New York Essential Plan is a good option. Kids can get coverage through Children's Medicaid or Child Health Plus.
How to get free health insurance in New York
New York offers several cheap or free health insurance programs for people with low incomes.
Program | Who it's for | Income limit for a family of three |
|---|---|---|
| Medicaid | Adults with low incomes | $3,065 |
| Children's Medicaid | Low-income children and pregnant women | $3,421 |
| Child Health Plus | Low-income children and pregnant women | $4,931 |
| New York Essential Plan | People who can't get Medicaid or other coverage | $5,553 |
If you make too much money to get into one of these programs, you might be able to get cheap health insurance through New York's state health insurance marketplace, called New York State of Health. You can get discounts on your health insurance if you make between $15,060 and $60,240 each year as a single person.
You might also be able to get cheap health care through NYC Care, New York's Uninsured Care Programs or community centers, although this isn't technically insurance.
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New York Medicaid for adults
New Yorkers with low incomes should check to see if they can get Medicaid.
If you're single, you can get Medicaid if you make up to $1,800 per month. A family of three has to make less than $3,065 per month to get Medicaid. Once you have Medicaid, your health care is usually free or costs very little.
New York expanded its Medicaid program in 2014. This means that anyone who has an income up to 138% of the federal poverty level can get Medicaid, even if they don't have a disability or are taking care of children.
New York state Medicaid eligibility
Household size | Monthly income limit |
|---|---|
| 1 | $1,800 |
| 2 | $2,433 |
| 3 | $3,065 |
| 4 | $3,698 |
| 5 | $4,330 |
If there are more than eight people in your household, add $633 per month for each additional person.
Some people might be able to make more and still get Medicaid. For example, a 19- or 20-year-old who lives with their parents can make up to $2,022 per month and get Medicaid.
Child Health Plus and Children's Medicaid in New York
In New York, children in low-income families can get free or cheap health insurance from Child Health Plus or Children's Medicaid.
Child Health Plus has higher income limits than Children's Medicaid, which means you can make more and still get coverage.
Health care for children is free with Child Health Plus, because the plans don't have any copays. Children's Medicaid also provides low-cost or free health care for children.
New York Children's Medicaid income limits
Children age 1-18
Children under 1 and pregnant women
Household size | Monthly income limit |
|---|---|
| 1 | $2,009 |
| 2 | $2,715 |
3 | $3,421 |
| 4 | $4,126 |
| 5 | $4,832 |
If you have more than eight children, add $706 to the monthly income limit for each additional child.
Children age 1-18
Household size | Monthly income limit |
|---|---|
| 1 | $2,009 |
| 2 | $2,715 |
3 | $3,421 |
| 4 | $4,126 |
| 5 | $4,832 |
If you have more than eight children, add $706 to the monthly income limit for each additional child.
Children under 1 and pregnant women
Household size | Monthly income limit |
|---|---|
| 1 | $2,909 |
| 2 | $3,931 |
3 | $4,953 |
| 4 | $5,975 |
| 5 | $6,997 |
For each person over eight, add $1,023 per month to the income limit.
Child Health Plus income limits
For some people, Child Health Plus coverage is free. However, you can still get coverage at higher incomes, you'll just have a small monthly fee. For example, you might have to pay $15 per month for each child. To keep costs manageable for larger families, the fee is capped at three children, even if you have more kids on Child Health Plus.
Free coverage
$15/month
$30/month
$45/month
$60/month
Full price
Household size | Monthly income limit |
|---|---|
| 1 | $2,896 |
| 2 | $3,913 |
| 3 | $4,931 |
| 4 | $5,948 |
| 5 | $6,966 |
Add $1,018 per month for each additional person.
Free coverage
Household size | Monthly income limit |
|---|---|
| 1 | $2,896 |
| 2 | $3,913 |
| 3 | $4,931 |
| 4 | $5,948 |
| 5 | $6,966 |
Add $1,018 per month for each additional person.
$15/month
If your monthly income is a bit higher, you'll pay $15 per month for each child, up to a maximum of $45 per family.
Household size | Monthly income limit |
|---|---|
| 1 | $3,261 |
| 2 | $4,407 |
| 3 | $5,553 |
| 4 | $6,698 |
| 5 | $7,844 |
If there are more than eight people in your household, add $1,146 per month for each person.
$30/month
In this income bracket, you'll pay $30 per month per child up to a maximum of $90 per family.
Household size | Monthly income limit |
|---|---|
| 1 | $3,913 |
| 2 | $5,288 |
| 3 | $6,663 |
| 4 | $8,038 |
| 5 | $9,413 |
For more than eight people, add $1,375 more each month for each additional person.
$45/month
For these higher income limits, you'll pay a $45 per month rate for each child, up to a maximum of $135 per family.
Household size | Monthly income limit |
|---|---|
| 1 | $4,565 |
| 2 | $6,169 |
| 3 | $7,773 |
| 4 | $9,378 |
| 5 | $10,982 |
Beyond eight people, add $1,605 for every extra household member.
$60/month
In this income range, you'll pay $60 per month per child up to $180 per month per family.
Household size | Monthly income limit |
|---|---|
| 1 | $5,217 |
| 2 | $7,050 |
| 3 | $8,884 |
| 4 | $10,717 |
| 5 | $12,550 |
Add $1,834 per person if you have more than eight people in your home.
Full price
At higher incomes, you'll pay the full cost of a plan from Child Health Plus. The cost you'll pay varies.
Household size | Monthly income limit |
|---|---|
| 1 | More than $5,217 |
| 2 | More than $7,050 |
| 3 | More than $8,884 |
| 4 | More than $10,717 |
| 5 | More than $12,550 |
For more than eight people, add $1,834 for each additional family member.
You may want to check NY State of Health for coverage to see if you can find a cheaper plan than Child Health Plus. But remember that coverage from Child Health Plus doesn't have any copays, so you don't have to pay anything when your child goes to the doctor. Even if a marketplace plan is cheaper, you'll have to pay a deductible. That can make it hard for families with low incomes to afford medical care.
If you have a high enough income, you might have to pay the full cost for a plan from Child Health Plus. In this case, you could compare the cost for Child Health Plus with the cost for a plan from NY State of Health. You won't be able to get rate discounts at these higher incomes, but you still might find a plan with a cheaper rate.
However, plans from NY State of Health will require you to pay for some of your child's health care through a deductible, copays and coinsurance. Even if you find a cheaper rate, Child Health Plus is likely a better option because it lets your child go to the doctor for free.
New York Essential Plan
The New York Essential plan gives people free health insurance if they make too much for Medicaid or Child Health Plus.
The Essential Plan doesn't have a deductible, which means your coverage starts right away without you having to pay a deductible. You'll also get free preventive care, like annual wellness visits and some screenings. The Essential Plan includes dental and vision coverage and has coverage for prescription medications.
To get the Essential Plan, you have to meet certain qualifications. You must:
- Be a resident of New York State
- Be lawfully present in the United States
- Be between 19 and 64 years old
- Not be eligible for Medicaid or Child Health Plus
- Not be eligible for coverage from your employer or other coverage
Additionally, you have to meet the income requirements.
NY Essential Plan income limits
Household size | Monthly income limit |
|---|---|
| 1 | $3,261 |
| 2 | $4,407 |
| 3 | $5,553 |
| 4 | $6,698 |
| 5 | $7,844 |
For each extra person, add $1,146 to the monthly limit.
Marketplace insurance in New York
If you make too much to get Medicaid, you might be able to get cheap coverage from the health insurance marketplace.
In New York, the marketplace is called New York State of Health. This kind of coverage is sometimes called "Affordable Care Act (ACA)" or "Obamacare" coverage. Shopping on NY State of Health lets you compare health insurance quotes from multiple companies in one place.
Low-income discounts on New York health insurance
People with low incomes can get discounts on plans from NY State of Health.
These discounts are called subsidies, and they can make your insurance much cheaper. On average, health insurance in New York costs $247 per month after subsidies, while a plan without the discounts costs $1,038 per month, on average.
To get these discounts, you have to make between $15,060 and $60,240 per year if you're single or between $25,820 and $77,460 per year if you're part of a family of three. You can use subsidies to pay for any Bronze, Silver, Gold or Platinum plan from any company on New York State of Health.
But you can usually only buy coverage on New York State of Health between Nov. 1 and Jan. 31 each year, during what's called "open enrollment." In most states, open enrollment ends Jan. 15, but New York lets you sign up for a plan until the end of the month. You might be able to buy a plan outside this window if you're recently moved, had a baby or gotten married. These and similar life situations qualify you for a "special enrollment period."
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Other options for cheap or free health care in New York
Some people might not be able to get Medicaid but still can't afford a plan from NY State of Health. There are still options that let you get affordable health care, although these programs aren't actually health insurance.
NYC Care or NYC Health + Hospitals Options
NYC Care is a program from NYC Health + Hospitals, which runs the public hospitals and clinics in New York City. If you live in New York City and can't get other coverage, you might be able to get low-cost or free health care from NYC Health + Hospitals through the NYC Care program.
The NYC Health + Hospitals Options program is a similar program for people who live in or visit Nassau or Westchester county and use the NYC Health + Hospitals locations in Queens or the Bronx. You might be able to get cheap or free health care in these locations through the Options program.
Uninsured Care Programs
If you don't have any insurance and have or are at a high risk of getting HIV/AIDS, the New York Uninsured Care Programs can help you get health care for free or cheap.
To qualify, you have to:
- Live in New York State
- Be uninsured OR have insurance but need help with out-of-pocket costs
- Have an income less than $6,520 per month as a single person
New York has five Uninsured Care Programs:
- AIDS Drug Assistance Program (ADAP) gives you access to medications for HIV/AIDS or infections you get as a result of HIV/AIDS.
- ADAP Plus (Primary Care) gives you free primary medical care so you can stay healthy and try to address health issues before they become severe.
- HIV Home Care Program is for chronically ill HIV/AIDS patients who need skilled nursing or the help of a home health aide. It also provides coverage for IV therapy, medications and other supplies as a doctor says you need them.
- Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis Assistance Program (PrEP-AP) pays for testing, counseling and monitoring for people taking PrEP medication to lower their risk of getting HIV/AIDS. The medication itself isn't covered by the program, but you can often get it for cheap or free through the manufacturer's assistance program.
- ADAP Plus Insurance Continuation Program (APIC) pays the group health insurance rate for certain eligible people in the AIDS Drug Assistance Program (ADAP) program so you can get traditional insurance coverage.
Community health centers
You might be able to get discounted medical care at local community health centers. Health centers offer a wide range of medical care, including:
- Dental
- Primary care
- Therapy
- Vision
- Women's health needs
Some health centers can help you with getting to and from your appointment and even have pharmacies where you can get your medications.
Fees are usually based on your ability to pay. The lower your income, the less you'll be charged. You can find a health center near you using the "Find a Health Center" tool from the Health Resources & Services Administration.
Frequently asked questions
Who is eligible for Medicaid in NY?
You can get Medicaid in New York if you make less than $1,800 per month as a single person or $3,065 per month as a family of three. Your income is the only requirement for New York Medicaid. You might be able to make more if you are pregnant. Children can be part of households that make more and still get coverage through Children's Medicaid or Child Health Plus.
How do you get health insurance in NY for free?
The best way to get free health insurance in New York is to see if you qualify for Medicaid. If you don't, check if you can get coverage from the New York Essential Plan, which has higher income limits but is still free.
What is the income limit for the Essential Plan in NY?
If you're single, you can make up to $3,261 per month and get the Essential Plan. A family of three can make up to $5,553 and qualify.
Methodology and sources
The average cost of health insurance in New York is from New York State of Health, the state's health insurance marketplace. Rates are for a 40-year-old with a Silver plan. The cost of a plan with subsidies comes from Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) data for shoppers during 2024 open enrollment who got advance premium tax credits (APTCs).
Sources for this article include HealthCare.gov, the Health Resources & Services Administration, KFF, the New York Department of Health, New York State of Health and NYC Health + Hospitals.
Editorial note: The content of this article is based on the author's opinions and recommendations alone. It has not been previewed, commissioned or otherwise endorsed by any of our network partners.