Applying for Medicaid and Other Health Insurance During the COVID-19 Emergency - Application and Enrollment Options

Sep 19, 2026

Guidance for New Yorkers applying for Medicaid and other health insurance during the COVID-19 emergency, including eligibility routes by age, Medicare status, disability certification, and certain cash benefits. Explains where to enroll online or by phone, when paper applications are required, and how to submit forms via fax, mail, or a dropbox. Clarifies that many documentation requirements are waived, with proof of identity and citizenship/immigration status still required and a 90-day extension. Covers Essential Plan, Child Health Plus, Qualified Health Plans, and Emergency Medicaid for undocumented immigrants.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryForms

FormatPDF

Pages2

Reading Time1 min

AccessFree to download

Medicaid

Who can enroll and where to apply

Downloading or requesting paper applications

Submission methods

Documentation requirements during COVID-19

Other Health Insurance

Essential Plan and Child Health Plus

Qualified Health Plans

Emergency Medicaid for undocumented immigrants

APPLYING FOR MEDICAID AND OTHER HEALTH INSURANCE DURING THE COVID-19 EMERGENCY Medicaid Most New Yorkers who are under age 65 can enroll in Medicaid through the New York State of Health Marketplace online at [https://nystateofhealth.ny.gov/](https://nystateofhealth.ny.gov/ or over)[ or over](https://nystateofhealth.ny.gov/ or over) the phone at 1-855-355-5777. New Yorkers who are over the age of 65, receive Medicare, are certified disabled, and/or receive certain cash benefits like Social Security Disability, SSI, or Public Assistance must submit a paper application to the New York City Human Resources Administration. ● The application can be downloaded online at [https://www.health.ny.gov/forms/doh-4220.pdf](https://www.health.ny.gov/forms/doh-4220.pdf), you also need to fill out a supplement, which can be downloaded at [https://www.health.ny.gov/forms/doh-5178a.pdf](https://www.health.ny.gov/forms/doh-5178a.pdf) ● Or you can call the HRA Medicaid Helpline at 888-692-6116 and ask for an application to be mailed to you. ● Once you complete your application, you can submit it via: o fax to 917-639-0732 (this is the preferred method); o mail to Mail in Unit, MICSA, 505 Clermont Ave., 5th Fl, Brooklyn, NY 11238; o dropbox located outside of any HRA’s open Medicaid offices. For all Medicaid applications: Because of the COVID-19 Emergency, New York State has waived many of the documentation requirements for Medicaid applications. You do not need to submit documents with your Medicaid application except for proof(s) of identity and citizenship/immigration status. You still must submit proof of identity and citizenship/immigration status. However, if you need time to submit this proof, you will have at least 90 days to submit proof of identity and citizenship/immigration status after submitting your application. Remember, you must still truthfully and fully answer all questions on the application about your income and other circumstances, including any unemployment benefits you may be receiving. *Please note, any Pandemic Unemployment Compensation (i.e., an additional $300/week in addition to your regular unemployment benefits) you receive via The CARES Act will not count towards your income for purposes of determining Medicaid eligibility. Additionally, any Economic Impact Payment/Recovery Rebate you may receive via The CARES Act or the American Rescue Plan will not count as income for purposes of Medicaid. Other Health Insurance Essential Plan, Child Health Plus If you are not eligible for Medicaid, because of your immigration status or income, for example, you can still contact the New York State of Health Marketplace online at [https://nystateofhealth.ny.gov/](https://nystateofhealth.ny.gov/ or over)[ or over](https://nystateofhealth.ny.gov/ or over) the phone at 1-855-355-5777 to find out whether you are eligible for and to enroll in the Essential Plan or Child Health Plus, two other free or low-cost health insurance programs. These programs are open for enrollment year-round. Qualified Health Plans Uninsured New Yorkers who are not eligible for public health insurance programs can enroll in a Qualified Health Plan (QHP) on the New York State of Health Marketplace online at [https://nystateofhealth.ny.gov/](https://nystateofhealth.ny.gov/ or over)[ or over](https://nystateofhealth.ny.gov/ or over) the phone at 1-855-355-5777, or directly through an insurer. You can enroll in a QHP at any time through May 31, 2022. A Note for Undocumented Immigrants: Many immigrants in New York State are eligible for full Medicaid coverage, including some immigrants who are currently undocumented but have applied to adjust status. However, even those immigrants who are not eligible for full Medicaid can apply for Emergency Medicaid through either the New York State of Health Marketplace or the New York City Human Resources Administration. Emergency Medicaid covers emergency conditions and includes coverag

FAQs

How can people under age 65 enroll in Medicaid in New York during the COVID-19 emergency?

Most New Yorkers under 65 can enroll online through the New York State of Health Marketplace or by phone at 1-855-355-5777.

Which applicants must submit a paper Medicaid application to the New York City Human Resources Administration?

New Yorkers over 65, those receiving Medicare, those certified disabled, and/or those receiving certain cash benefits such as Social Security Disability, SSI, or Public Assistance must submit a paper application.

What documentation is still required for Medicaid during the COVID-19 emergency, and how long do applicants have to provide it?

Proofs of identity and citizenship/immigration status are still required, but many other documentation requirements are waived. If additional time is needed, applicants have at least 90 days after submitting the application to submit the required proof.

What options are available for people who are not eligible for Medicaid, including undocumented immigrants?

People not eligible for Medicaid can check eligibility for the Essential Plan or Child Health Plus via the Marketplace or by phone, and uninsured people may enroll in a Qualified Health Plan through May 31, 2022. Undocumented immigrants who cannot get full Medicaid can apply for Emergency Medicaid for emergency conditions, including COVID-19 testing, evaluation, and treatment.

Sep 19, 2026

Upload by Caleb Sterling