Best Affordable Medical Insurance Plans In New York

what is the cheapest medical insurance in ny

New York State offers a range of health insurance options for individuals, families, and small businesses. The cheapest health insurance in New York City is offered by Fidelis Care, with Silver plans starting at $561 per month. MetroPlus is another affordable option, with Silver plans starting at $995 per month and lower deductibles than Fidelis Care. For those who don't require frequent medical care, EmblemHealth offers a Bronze plan with the lowest premium among their metal plans, including no-cost preventive care and telemedicine services. Adults aged 19-64 may also qualify for an Essential Plan with a $0 monthly premium through EmblemHealth, depending on their income and other factors. Additionally, New York's state health insurance marketplace, NY State of Health, provides discounts to more than seven out of ten New Yorkers who shop for health insurance on the platform.

Characteristics Values
Cheapest health insurance in NYC Fidelis Care
Cheapest health insurance in NYC for people over 65 Anthem, at $968 per month before discounts on average
Cheapest health insurance company for people living in New York City MetroPlus
Cheapest Silver plan in NYC MetroPlus Silver plan, starting at $995 per month
Cheapest Silver plan in NYC after discounts EmblemHealth Silver plan, starting at $561 per month
Cheapest health insurance in NYC for adults 19-64 who meet eligibility requirements Essential Plan with a $0 monthly premium
Cheapest health insurance in NYC for individuals under 30 or those who qualify based on financial need EmblemHealth Catastrophic plan, with an in-network deductible of $9,200 for individuals

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Discounts and subsidies

The cheapest health insurance in New York will depend on your medical needs, financial situation, and plan availability in your area. Discounts and subsidies are available to make health insurance more affordable for those who need it.

Discounted Rates

Discounted rates are available for those who earn between $15,060 and $60,240 per year as a single person or $31,200 to $124,800 for a family of four. The size of the discount depends on your income and the number of people in your household. More than seven out of 10 New Yorkers who shop for health insurance on NY State of Health receive a discount. You can use a subsidy calculator to find out how much you could save.

Essential Plan

The Essential Plan provides free health insurance for people with low incomes who don't qualify for Medicaid. About 71% of shoppers in New York qualify for discounted rates, and the cost is based on income.

Medicaid

Medicaid is a federal health insurance program for people who are 65 and older or living with certain disabilities. It is also available for adults and children who qualify due to income and other factors.

Small Business Health Insurance

Small businesses can offer insurance to their employees through the NY State of Health and may be eligible for a tax credit.

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Medicaid and other government-sponsored programs

New York's Medicaid program provides comprehensive health insurance to lower-income New Yorkers. Medicaid pays for a wide range of services, depending on your age, financial circumstances, family situation, or living arrangements. These services are provided through a large network of healthcare providers that you can access directly using your Medicaid card or through your managed care plan if you are enrolled in managed care. There is no monthly premium for Medicaid, and any small co-payments can be waived if you cannot afford them.

Medicaid offers an extensive dental plan through the New York State Fee-for-Service program or through a Medicaid Managed Care plan. The Medicaid Managed Care plan is a term used to describe a health insurance plan or healthcare system that coordinates your healthcare. When you enroll in a managed care plan, you select a primary care practitioner (PCP) who will be responsible for coordinating your healthcare.

The Medicaid Transportation program ensures that members can get to and from their medical appointments at no cost. The program covers non-emergency transportation, such as pre-scheduled trips to primary care and the dentist, for members enrolled in fee-for-service and mainstream managed care. The Medicare Savings Program (MSP) is a Medicaid-administered program that assists people with limited incomes in paying for their Medicare premiums. Depending on your income, the MSP may also pay for other cost-sharing expenses.

Medicaid also offers the Consumer Directed Personal Assistance Program (CDPAP), which allows members eligible for home care services to choose and hire their own personal caregiver or "personal assistant". The Medicaid Cancer Treatment Program (MCTP) is a program for eligible persons in need of treatment for breast, cervical, colorectal, or prostate cancer, and sometimes pre-cancerous conditions.

The Essential Plan is another New York State-sponsored program offered by EmblemHealth. Adults 19-64 who meet eligibility requirements may qualify for an Essential Plan with a $0 monthly premium and no referrals required to see specialists. These plans offer access to top doctors and hospitals in New York City, Westchester, and Long Island.

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Private insurance companies

Private health insurance in New York is managed by private insurance companies, rather than New York State. You can purchase private insurance, also known as a Qualified Health Plan, on the NY State of Health Marketplace. Financial assistance is available on the NYSOH Marketplace, but it is not available if you buy insurance directly from an insurance company.

EmblemHealth is one such private insurance company that offers Qualified Health Plans to eligible individuals and families. Their plans offer access to care through the Millennium or Select Care networks, depending on where you live. They offer a range of plans, including Bronze, Silver, Gold, and Platinum. The Bronze plan is a good option if you don't seek frequent medical care and want to save money on your health insurance. It has the lowest premium among their metal plans, including no-cost preventive care, telemedicine services, and three primary care visits covered before the deductible. The Silver plan is a good middle ground if you go to the doctor for regular visits. It also has a low premium, including no-cost preventive care, telemedicine, and one primary care visit and prescription drugs covered before the deductible. The Gold plan is ideal if you visit the doctor often but want to pay less than a Platinum plan. It has a low deductible, includes no-cost preventive care, telemedicine, and prescription drugs covered before the deductible.

Fidelis Care is another private insurance company that offers the cheapest health insurance in NYC. Their plans typically have higher deductibles than MetroPlus, but choosing a plan with a low deductible can help you save money overall.

It's important to note that the cost of health insurance depends on various factors, including your age, income, family size, and the specific plan you choose. You can use a subsidy calculator to determine how much you can save based on your income and household size.

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Obamacare and the Affordable Care Act

In 2010, a healthcare law was passed in the United States, which aimed to provide basic and affordable health insurance coverage for all Americans. This law has come to be known by several names, including Obamacare and the Affordable Care Act (ACA).

Before the ACA, individuals with pre-existing medical conditions could be refused coverage or charged more for their insurance plans. However, the ACA ensures that insurance companies allow those with pre-existing conditions to receive the same care as those without. The ACA also includes 10 essential benefits in minimum essential coverage plans, making them affordable for employers and employees. These plans help both parties stay healthy while avoiding fines and penalties for not having health insurance.

The ACA has faced several legal challenges and attempts to repeal it, including by former US President Donald Trump, whose administration initially sought to repeal the law. However, during his second term, Trump's Justice Department defended the ACA before the Supreme Court. Despite these challenges, the ACA has expanded health insurance coverage to tens of millions of Americans, and its popularity has been increasing.

The term "Obamacare" was originally coined by opponents of the law as a pejorative term, but it has since become commonly used to refer to the ACA. While there are no significant differences between Obamacare and the ACA, some sources suggest that Obamacare specifically refers to the mandate that all Americans must have health insurance, with penalties for those who do not. This individual mandate was repealed in 2017, but it is still in effect in some states.

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Medicare Advantage plans

Medicare Advantage, also known as Part C, is a bundled alternative to Medicare that is sold by private insurance companies. It is available to anyone over the age of 65, or to those who are living with certain disabilities and meet specific eligibility requirements.

In New York, several companies offer Medicare Advantage plans, including Anthem, CDPHP Medicare Advantage, EmblemHealth, Excellus BlueCross BlueShield, Healthfirst Medicare Plan, and UnitedHealthcare, among others. The average monthly premium for a Medicare Advantage plan in New York in 2025 is $42.90, up from $30.35 in 2024. There are also $0-premium Medicare Advantage plans available.

You can enroll in a Medicare Advantage plan during your Initial Enrollment Period, which starts three months before your 65th birthday month and ends three months after it. You may also qualify for a Special Enrollment Period if you experience certain life events, such as moving out of your current plan's service area.

Frequently asked questions

Fidelis Care sells the cheapest health insurance in New York City, with Silver plans starting at $561 per month.

NY State of Health is New York's state health insurance marketplace. More than 70% of New Yorkers who shop here get a discount.

Health insurance in New York costs an average of $1,038 per month, but you could pay as little as $247 per month after discounts.

EmblemHealth offers a Bronze plan with the lowest premium of their metal plans. It includes no-cost preventive care and telemedicine, and three primary care visits are covered before the deductible is met.

If you have Medicare, you may qualify for an average of $8,420 in savings with the Medicare Savings Program or Medicaid if you make less than $2,446 a month (single) or $3,299 a month (married).

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