New York Medicare quick facts (2026)

• Beneficiaries: Roughly 3.7 million New Yorkers are enrolled in Medicare.
• Active Advantage carriers: UnitedHealthcare, Humana, Aetna, EmblemHealth, Healthfirst, MVP Health Care, Empire BCBS, Excellus, Independent Health, and others.
• State Medicaid program: New York Medicaid — strong integration with Medicare through Medicaid Advantage Plus, FIDA, and MAP plans.
• State quirks: Community-rated Medigap (no age-based pricing) + continuous open enrollment (no underwriting when switching).

Common New York Medicare questions

Q: Can I switch Medigap plans in New York without underwriting?
A: Yes — New York has continuous open enrollment for Medigap. You can apply for or switch Medigap plans year-round without answering health questions, subject to carrier acceptance and any waiting periods.

Q: Why are New York Medigap premiums higher than other states?
A: Community rating spreads risk across all enrollees regardless of age, so younger Medicare enrollees subsidize older ones. The upside is your premium does not climb every year just because you're aging.

Q: What are MAP and Medicaid Advantage plans?
A: NY has special integrated plans (Medicaid Advantage Plus, FIDA, MAP) that combine Medicare and Medicaid for dual-eligibles. Eligibility varies by county and long-term care need.

Q: When can I enroll in Medicare in New York?
A: Federal calendar — Initial Enrollment Period around your 65th birthday; Annual Enrollment Period October 15 – December 7, 2026. The Medigap continuous open enrollment is separate from these federal windows.

Run the numbers for your situation: enrollment calculator · IRMAA calculator · Part D cost calculator.

Medicare basics in New York

Medicare is a federal program, so the core rules are the same in New York as everywhere else — but the specific plans available, premiums, and carrier networks vary by ZIP code and by county.

Most New York residents become eligible for Medicare at 65 through Social Security. See our eligibility guide for the full rules including disability and ESRD.

For the 7-month enrollment window timeline, see Turning 65.

What New York residents typically compare

• Medicare Advantage — Many New York counties have 20-50+ Advantage plans to choose from. Plans, premiums, and extras vary by county.
• Medicare Supplement (Medigap) — Plans are standardized federally, but premium pricing and underwriting rules vary by state. New York has its own Medigap pricing rules.
• Part D prescription drug plans — Available statewide, but formularies (covered drug lists) and preferred pharmacy networks differ by plan.

See Advantage vs. Supplement for the side-by-side framework.

New York Medigap timing rules

The federal Medigap Open Enrollment window is the same everywhere — 6 months starting the month you turn 65 AND have Part B. During that window, no medical underwriting.

Outside that window, most states (including New York unless otherwise noted) allow Medigap carriers to use medical underwriting — meaning they can deny you or charge more based on health. A few states have year-round guaranteed-issue rules. Check New York's State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) for current rules.

See our switching from Advantage to Medigap guide for the timing trap.

How to compare plans in New York

1. Confirm your ZIP code — plans differ within New York by county
2. List your prescriptions and check each one on the plan's formulary
3. Confirm your doctors are in-network
4. Compare premium + deductible + maximum out-of-pocket
5. Check star ratings for plans you are weighing
6. Ask about prior authorization requirements (common on Advantage)

Use our comparison framework to keep it organized.