Useful Websites and Phone Numbers

FEDERAL WEBSITES - government

• Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) (Federal agency which oversees Medicare and Medicaid programs) also www.medicare.gov

• HealthCare.gov is a Federal government website in Spanish to provide consumers with both public and private health coverage options tailored specifically for their needs in a single, easy-to-use tool. HealthCare.gov offers an insurance finder, explains the Affordable Care Act in step-by-step detail and offers information for families with children, senior citizens, people with disabilities and others.  The Spanish version is available at CuidadoDeSalud.gov.

• Social Security Administration (SSA): 1-800-772-1213, (for information on Low-Income Subsidy for Medicare Part D).  For information on Social Security benefits in many different languages, visit the SSA Multi-Language site.
  • Social Security Program & Operations Manual - reference  used by SSA staff to interpret law and regulations

NATIONAL WEBSITES - ADVOCACY

• National Health Law Program 

• Justice in Aging

• ADAP (AIDS Drugs Assistance Program): 1-800-542-2437

• Ayuda Legal NY: Encuentra asistencia legal gratuita en Nueva York, aprendas de sus derechos legales, obtenga información sobre las cortes, y mucho más.

• Child Health Plus (CHP): 1-800-698-4KIDS (1-800-698-4543)

• CuidadoDeSalud.gov is a Federal government website in Spanish to provide consumers with both public and private health coverage options tailored specifically for their needs in a single, easy-to-use tool. This is the Spanish version of HealthCare.gov. CuidadoDeSalud.gov offers an insurance finder, explains the Affordable Care Act in step-by-step detail and offers information for families with children, senior citizens, people with disabilities and others.

• EPIC: 1-800-332-3742, (Prescription drug program for seniors)

• eMedNY (New York State Medicaid program's claims processing system.  Website includes Medicaid provider manuals, provider updates and program information)

• New York Medicaid CHOICE : 1-800-505-5678 (Handles Medicaid managed care enrollment, disenrollment, exemptions and exclusions. 

• New York Independent Assessor Program (NYIAP) - Assesses the eligibility for Medicaid personal care and CDPAP services and enrollment in Managed Long Term Care plans. 

• NY State of Health at nystateofhealth.ny.gov or  1-855-355-5777  Statewide Marketplace for enrolling in Medicaid for people under age 65 who do not receive Medicare and for Qualified Health Plans for people under 65 and not receiving Medicare whose income is above the Medicaid levels.  Note - there are a few exceptions where Medicare beneficiaries may also apply for Medicaid on this site  if they are "caretakers" for minor children/grandchildren, other relatives. 

• New York State Department of Health (SDOH)

• ·        ADMs, GISs, INFs – Library of Official Documents with policy guidance issued by SDOH

• ·        Medicaid Reference Guide – compilation of eligibility rules for Medicaid and Family Health Plus

• ·        Operational Protocol – SDOH policies and procedures for running the Medicaid managed care and Family Health Plus program

• ·        Office Managed Care - program information for Medicaid managed care and Family Health Plus

• ALSO SEE this article on Sources of Legal Authority for Health Care Advocates

• Managed Long Term Care guidance

• New York State Department of Financial Services - Health Insurance Information for Consumers: The Health Insurance Resource Center is designed to help consumers make informed decisions when purchasing health insurance for themselves and their families.  The center provides basic information on various types of health insurance plans available, and up to date information to evaluate and compare various health insurance options and companies.  

• New York State Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance (OTDA), Office of Administrative Hearings (OAH): 518-474-8781.  S

• New York State Medicaid Helpline: 1-800-541-2831 (handles problems and complaints)

Statewide Resources - ADVOCACY

• RealNY: Powered by the legal information website, LawHelpNY, REALNY is a is a public-interest news blog that uses design, multi-media, and short and informative plain-English articles to help New Yorkers learn about their legal rights as they apply to current events and community resources.  Built around a community service media model, this blog targets low-income New Yorkers and the community groups, nonprofits, and government agencies that assist them.

• Empire Justice Center (Statewide back-up center for legal services providers; updates on Medicaid issues in the Legal Services Journal, Medicaid-related postings)

• FoodHelpNY.org: Hunger Solutions New York, formed in 1985 as the Nutrition Consortium of New York State, promotes full participation in nutrition assistance programs such as Food Stamps.  They operate Nutrition Outreach and Education Programs (NOEPs) that assist New Yorkers in applying for Food Stamps (aka Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program or SNAP).

• Gay Men’s Health Crisis (GMHC): 212-367-1300 or 800-243-7692 or e-mail to hotline@gmhc.org (hotline), 212-367-1040 (legal services), (assist with services for people who are HIV-affected)

• Find free legal aid in New York, learn about your legal rights, get information about the courts, and more.

• Independent Consumer Advocacy Network (ICAN) ICAN is the New York State Ombudsprogram for people with Medicaid who need long term care or behavioral health services. We assist New Yorkers with enrolling in and using managed care plans that cover long term care or behavioral health services.

• The Legal Aid Society  infomation about Medicaid, disability, HIV/AIDS

• Medicare Rights Center: 1-800-333-4114 (for assistance with Medicare problems) - 

• Neighborhood Legal Services (Medicaid/Medicare & Disability-related postings, Statewide and National Assistive Technology Advocacy Project) (Filter for People Living with Disabilities)

• Community Health Advocates 888-614-5400 (for help with eligibility and applying for public insurance programs for families and children and adults under age 65, along with assistance navigating Medicaid and private health insurance programs)

• Facilitated Enrollment for the Aged, Blind, and Disabled Program (FE-ABD) - helps file applications for Medicaid for Aged, Blind and Disabled

• FAIR HEARINGS - see this article about Fair Hearings and

  • consumer guide to fair hearings

  • https://fairhearinghelpny.org/general-information/

NEW YORK CITY SPECIFIC RESOURCES

Visit  ACCESS HRA, a free Web site where New Yorkers can screen and apply for Medicaid and get information for City, State, and Federal benefits and programs. Learn how to apply, what documents to bring, where offices are and how to get there, and even print partially completed applications. 

• Commission on the Public’s Health System: 212-246-0803 (For questions about services for the uninsured in New York City)

• HRA Infoline: 1-877-472-8411 (provides information on all public assistance benefits including Medicaid eligibility and where to apply)

• HRA Medicaid Helpline: 1-888-692-6116 (provides information on Medicaid and status of renewals and applications)

• HRA Medicaid contacts (compiled by NYLAG)

• ​​​​​​​HRA Medicaid Alerts 

• Community Health Advocates 888-614-5400 (for help with eligibility and applying for public insurance programs for families and children and adults under age 65, along with assistance navigating Medicaid and private health insurance programs)

• Facilitated Enrollment for the Aged, Blind, and Disabled Program (FE-ABD) - helps file applications for Medicaid for Aged, Blind and Disabled

• Office of Citywide Health Insurance Access (Information on public and private health insurance programs including eligibility and enrollment information). Also see HRA Health Insurance webpage.

• NYC Health Insurance Link: A web-based tool to help New Yorkers find a health insurance plan that best fits their healthcare needs and budgets. The tool will assist small business owners, freelancers and other independent or unemployed workers who do not currently have health insurance coverage or are looking for more affordable coverage.