Medicaid in New York: what you may be able to apply for
🔎 Will this affect your green card?
Regular Medicaid does NOT count in the public charge test — receiving it does not affect your green card or immigration application. See details →
What it is
Public health insurance for low-income people, jointly funded by the federal and state governments. It covers doctor visits, hospital care, prescriptions, pregnancy, and children's care. States run it under federal rules, and each state has its own name and details (California calls it Medi-Cal).
New York State Medicaid; Child Health Plus (under 19); Essential Plan (low-income lawfully present adults)
Who may qualify
Income limit
- Adults 19-64 (ACA expansion)≤ 138% FPL
- Children 0-18≤ 154% FPLMedicaid: children 1-18 up to 154% FPL, under age 1 up to 223% FPL. Children under 19 are covered regardless of immigration status via Child Health Plus, up to 400% FPL (free below 222% FPL; monthly premiums of $15-$60 above that by tier).
- Pregnancy≤ 223% FPLPregnancy Medicaid up to 223% FPL, regardless of immigration status; coverage continues through 12 months postpartum.
- Aged/Blind/Disabled (65+/ABD, non-MAGI)Non-MAGI income limit up to 138% FPL, plus a resource (asset) test (official 2024 figures were about $30,182 for one person / $40,821 for two; adjusted yearly — check the latest official figures). Undocumented adults 65+ are also covered via this pathway (Expanded Medicaid) after first getting Emergency Medicaid.
Immigration-status rules in this state
Unlike California, New York does NOT give full-scope Medicaid to all adults regardless of immigration status. New York extends coverage regardless of status only to specific groups: (1) children under 19 — via Child Health Plus / children's Medicaid, regardless of status; (2) pregnant people — full Medicaid regardless of status, continuing through 12 months postpartum; (3) adults age 65+ — "Expanded Medicaid" (full coverage via Medicaid Managed Care) regardless of status, effective Jan 1, 2024, if income is ≤138% FPL and resources are within limits (you must first get Emergency Medicaid at your Local Department of Social Services (LDSS) or NYC HRA, then you are enrolled automatically). Undocumented adults 19-64 who are not pregnant qualify only for Emergency Medicaid (emergencies, including labor and delivery). The Essential Plan is only for lawfully present immigrants (DACA recipients added Aug 1, 2024) — not for undocumented people; and effective July 1, 2026, under federal H.R. 1 the Essential Plan reverts to Basic Health Program authority, so about 450,000 enrollees above 200% FPL (and DACA recipients) lose the Essential Plan and move to Qualified Health Plans. This is a fast-changing area — check the latest official NY State of Health guidance.
How to apply
What you'll need
Proof of identity, income, New York residency, household size, and Social Security number (if you have one); immigration documents as applicable. Children under 19, pregnant people, and adults 65+ are not denied for lack of a qualifying immigration status. See the official NY State of Health / your county LDSS page for the exact document list.
Timeline
Eligibility decision generally within 45 days (up to 90 days for disability-based cases); retroactive coverage for up to 3 months before the application month. (These are the federal Medicaid timeframes that apply in New York.)
Go to the official application →NY State of Health (official marketplace, for MAGI groups — adults/children/pregnant) · Aged/Blind/Disabled (non-MAGI) and Emergency Medicaid via your county LDSS or NYC HRA
Will it affect your green card? (Public charge)
✅ Regular Medicaid does NOT count in the public charge test — receiving it does not affect your green card or immigration application.
⚠️ The one exception: Medicaid that pays for long-term institutional care (a long-term stay in a nursing facility or mental-health institution at government expense) DOES count. Everyday doctor visits, hospital care, prescriptions, and home- and community-based care are not this exception.
➕ Because the current rule excludes all non-institutional Medicaid, Medicaid for children, pregnancy, and emergencies also does not count. In mixed-status families, eligible citizen or qualified children can safely get the care they qualify for.
Public charge is assessed only for people applying for an immigrant visa abroad, or applying for adjustment of status (a green card) inside the United States.
Many categories are exempt by law: refugees, asylees, VAWA self-petitioners, T and U visa applicants, Temporary Protected Status (TPS), Special Immigrant Juveniles (SIJ), Cuban/Haitian entrants, and others.
Public charge is generally not assessed when a green-card holder renews their card or naturalizes; a returning green-card holder is assessed only in limited cases (for example, an absence of more than 180 days).
This is information only, not immigration, legal, or tax advice. Public charge and your personal status are complex — consult a licensed immigration attorney. We never tell you whether you "will" or "won't" be affected.
USCIS Policy Manual, Volume 8, Part G, Chapter 7 (benefits considered) and Chapter 3 (who it applies to) — 8 USCIS-PM G.7 / G.3; regulation 8 CFR 212.21–212.23; 2022 final rule 87 FR 55472. · 2022-12-23
Last checked: 2026-07-16
Policies can change — always check the latest official information.
This site is informational only and is not immigration, legal, or tax advice. For public charge and your personal status questions, consult a licensed immigration attorney.
Medicaid in other states
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