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Useful Websites and Phone Numbers

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Posted: 04 Jun, 2009
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Updated: 29 Jan, 2020
by Valerie Bogart (New York Legal Assistance Group)
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.
Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) (Federal agency which oversees Medicare and Medicaid programs)

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.

Complete Guide to Health Care Coverage for Older New Yorkers (2010), NYC Department For The Aging (DFTA)
This manual covers Medicare, Medicaid, Part D, EPIC, and a number of other health coverage programs.  Although created by the NYC HIICAP office, most of the resources are available state-wide.  This guide is also available in Spanish.
Empire Justice Center (Statewide back-up center for legal services providers; updates on Medicaid issues in the Legal Services Journal, Medicaid-related postings)

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)

EnrollNY: Website that allows applicants for Medicaid, Family Health Plus, and Child Health Plus to be screened for these programs, begin an application online, and have their applications forwarded to facilitated enrollers to complete the application process and be enrolled in a managed care plan.  Provided by the Hudson Center for Health Equity & Quality.

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)
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.

HIICAP NOTEBOOK  -  Annually updated  comprehensive guide to Health Care in NYS for seniors and people with disabilities.  Covers Medicare, Medicaid, EPIC, Medigap and other topics.  More on HIICAP Counselors Corner. (New website Jan 2020)

 

LawHelp.org/NY Find free legal aid in New York, learn about your legal rights, get information about the courts, and more.

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

myBenefits: New York State public benefit screening tool will ask some basic questions about your family, your money and your bills. Based on your answers, it will tell you if you might be able to get help with the following:
  • Help with buying food
  • Temporary Assistance (TA)
  • Special tax credits
  • Home Energy Assistance
  • WIC - Women, Infants and Children
  • Prescription drug insurance coverage for seniors
  • Various Health Insurance programs for individuals, families, children, and sole proprietors
Neighborhood Legal Services (Medicaid/Medicare & Disability-related postings, Statewide and National Assistive Technology Advocacy Project)
New York Medicaid CHOICE : 1-800-505-5678 (Handles Medicaid managed care enrollment, disenrollment, exemptions and exclusions. Also handles complaints about managed 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. 
·        ADMs, GISs, INFs – 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
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

New York State Medicaid Helpline: 1-800-541-2831 (handles problems and complaints)
Plan Ahead NY: New York State website about Long Term Care Insurance (LTCI).
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.
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.
Western New York Law Center (Posts daily updates on public interest law issues; hosts online discussion listserves for advocates; Online Resource Center posts Fair Hearing decisions; ADMs, INFs, GISs)

AccessNYC

Visit www.nyc.gov/accessnyc, a free Web site where New Yorkers can screen for eligibility 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. Apply Online for School Meals! Visit ACCESS NYC online anytime, from any computer with an internet connection. Benefit Information. One Place.

 (For questions about services for the uninsured in New York City)
Health Information Tool for Empowerment (HITE)
(Web-based tool to locate health care services and programs for people who are uninsured or underinsured)
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 FHP eligibility)
NYC Managed Care Consumer Assistance Program (MCCAP): 212-614-5400 (for help with managed care issues and eligibility for public insurance programs)
Office of Citywide Health Insurance Access (Information on public and private health insurance programs including eligibility and enrollment information)
Center for Benefits and Services (formerly PBRC): 212-614-5552 (provides assistance with public benefits)

NYC Health Insurance Link: A new 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.
SocialNeedsRx: This website is a product of a collaborative effort among, and was created by, Community Pediatrics of Columbia University Medical Center Department of Pediatrics / New York-Presbyterian Ambulatory Care Network, The Volunteers of Legal Service (VOLS) Children's Project and White & Case LLP, and powered by Pro Bono Net, to assist advocates who provide services to children and families in need of social and health services. This database was developed for healthcare providers but may be used by other advocates and providers of social services.

Bookmarks

David Silva of ICAN has accumulated hundreds of bookmarks relating to public health insurance, legal services, and other related topics. You can search them using the social bookmarking site Diigo. See his tag cloud below.


This article was authored by the Health Law Unit of the Legal Aid Society.

The Legal Aid Society

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This site provides general information only. This is not legal advice. You can only obtain legal advice from a lawyer. In addition, your use of this site does not create an attorney-client relationship. To contact a lawyer, visit http://lawhelpny.org. We make every effort to keep these materials and links up-to-date and in accordance with New York City, New York state and federal law. However, we do not guarantee the accuracy of this information. To report a dead link or other website-related problem, please e-mail us.