Health Insurance Information, Counseling and Assistance Program (HIICAP)
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Medicare and health costs
Medicare Savings Programs in New York
New York's Medicare Savings Program has two parts: QMB, which pays your Medicare premiums, deductibles and coinsurance, and QI, which pays your Part B premium.
New York's income limits are well above the federal ones, and there is no savings test. You can apply online with NY State of Health or mail a paper application to your local Department of Social Services.
How to apply in New York
- By phone
- 1-800-541-2831
- In person
- At the Medicaid office of your local (county) Department of Social Services, or the Human Resources Administration (HRA) in New York City.
- By mail
- Paper applications (form DOH-4328) must be mailed to the local Department of Social Services where you live, or to the Human Resources Administration in New York City.
Applying is free. Nobody should charge you to apply.
Apply on the official siteWho may qualify in New York
| 2026 figures | One person | Married couple |
|---|---|---|
| QMB income limit | $1,856 a month | $2,509 a month |
| SLMB income limit | No separate SLMB; QMB covers this income range | No separate SLMB; QMB covers this income range |
| QI income limit | $2,494 a month | $3,375 a month |
| Savings limit | No limit | No limit |
What you may get
| What QMB pays | Your Part A and/or Part B premium, plus Medicare Part A and B coinsurance and deductibles |
|---|---|
| What SLMB pays | No separate SLMB in New York; QMB covers this income range |
| What QI pays | Your Part B premium only |
How New York is different
Where New York's rules differ from the federal rules for Medicare Savings Programs.
- Income limits higher than the federal ones: QMB up to 138% of the poverty level
- QI up to 186% of the poverty level
- No separate SLMB: QMB covers that income range
- No savings limit
Good to know
- The limits shown include the first $20 of monthly income, which isn't counted. The state's page also lists the same limits without it ($1,836 for QMB and $2,474 for QI, one person).
- You can't get QI and full Medicaid at the same time, and QI requires Medicare Part A.
Free help
Free help with this in New York
New York State Office for the Aging (NYSOFA)
Your local Area Agency on Aging can help with meals, rides, help at home, caregiver support and applying for benefits.
More help in New York
Medicare Savings Programs in another state
- Alabama
- Alaska
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- California
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- District of Columbia
- Florida
- Georgia
- Hawaii
- Idaho
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Maine
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- Mississippi
- Missouri
- Montana
- Nebraska
- Nevada
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey
- New Mexico
- North Carolina
- North Dakota
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- Oregon
- Pennsylvania
- Rhode Island
- South Carolina
- South Dakota
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Utah
- Vermont
- Virginia
- Washington
- West Virginia
- Wisconsin
- Wyoming
Sources
- New York State Department of Health, Medicare Savings Program 2026 (official government site). Checked Oct 28, 2026.
- New York State Department of Health, GIS 08 MA/016: Elimination of the Asset Test for the QMB and SLIMB Programs (official government site). Checked Oct 28, 2026.
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