New York Medicare plans for 2026.
New York has approximately 3.7M Medicare beneficiaries — about 50% on Medicare Advantage, the rest on Original Medicare. We compare Medicare Advantage, Medigap, and Part D options from EmblemHealth, UnitedHealthcare (AARP), Aetna, Humana, Empire BlueCross BlueShield, Healthfirst, MVP Health Care, and Excellus BCBS.
Medicare Advantage vs. Medigap in New York
For most New Yorkers, the choice between Medicare Advantage (Part C) and Original Medicare plus a Medigap (Supplement) plan is the biggest decision you'll make.
Medicare Advantage in New York
Bundles Part A, Part B, and usually Part D into a private plan. Most New York metros offer competitive $0-premium plans with dental, vision, hearing, OTC, and transportation benefits.
Most New York MA plans are HMOs with local networks including NewYork-Presbyterian, Mount Sinai, Northwell Health, NYU Langone, Memorial Sloan Kettering. We verify your doctors before enrolling.
Medigap in New York
Pairs with Original Medicare and covers the deductibles, coinsurance, and copays Medicare doesn't pay. Any doctor or hospital nationwide that accepts Medicare accepts Medigap — no networks.
New York Medigap premiums vary by ZIP and age, and carriers may medically underwrite outside your one-time 6-month Medigap Open Enrollment window.
Top Medicare carriers in New York
Plan availability and network depth vary by county.
EmblemHealth & Healthfirst
New York-rooted plans with deep New York City and downstate networks. Healthfirst is consistently among NYC's top-rated Medicare Advantage plans. EmblemHealth (formed from GHI and HIP) has strong NYC employer-retiree presence too.
Empire BlueCross BlueShield
New York's downstate Blue plan, with broad networks in NYC, Long Island, and the Hudson Valley. Excellus BCBS covers upstate NY (Rochester, Syracuse, Buffalo, Albany).
Humana, Aetna & UnitedHealthcare
All three offer competitive Medicare Advantage and Part D plans across New York, with UnitedHealthcare's AARP-branded Medigap plans widely held by New York seniors.
MVP Health Care
New York-founded nonprofit with strong upstate networks (Albany, Schenectady, Plattsburgh) and a community-based service model.
Part D prescription coverage in New York
Under the Inflation Reduction Act, 2026 Part D caps out-of-pocket drug costs at $2,100 per year and eliminates the old "donut hole."
Every New York Medicare beneficiary needs prescription drug coverage (or creditable alternative coverage) to avoid the Part D late enrollment penalty. New York has dozens of standalone Part D plans plus drug coverage bundled into most MA-PD plans.
- Formulary check: The same medication can land in very different tiers across plans. We run your drug list against every Part D plan in your ZIP.
- Preferred pharmacy: Many New York Part D plans offer lower copays at preferred pharmacies (CVS, Duane Reade, Walgreens, Walmart, Costco). Which pharmacy you prefer can change which plan is cheapest.
- Extra Help / LIS: New York beneficiaries with limited income may qualify for the Low Income Subsidy that significantly reduces drug costs.
Medicare enrollment dates for New York
- Annual Enrollment Period (AEP): October 15 – December 7. Change Medicare Advantage or Part D plans; changes effective January 1.
- Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment (MA OEP): January 1 – March 31. One plan change allowed for members already in a Medicare Advantage plan.
- Initial Enrollment Period (IEP): 7 months around your 65th birthday — 3 months before, your birthday month, and 3 months after.
- Medigap Open Enrollment: 6 months from your Part B effective date — the one-time window when New York Medigap carriers cannot deny you or charge more for health reasons.
- Special Enrollment Periods: Moving into New York, losing employer coverage, qualifying for Extra Help, or moving into or out of a nursing facility may each trigger a SEP.
New York Medicare FAQ
Are there New York-specific Medicare rules?
Can I switch from Advantage to Medigap later?
What if my doctor is at a different network?
What does SilverEdge cost?
New York counties we cover
All 62 New York counties. A few of the counties where we have the most active members:
"New York Medigap pricing is a maze — different rules in different boroughs. SilverEdge ran every Plan G in my ZIP and found one that was $40/mo cheaper than what my old broker had me in. Same coverage exactly."
Ready to compare New York Medicare plans?
Free, no pressure. Licensed in New York and all 50 states. We'll review your doctors, drugs, and budget — and walk you through the right Medicare combination for you.