19 Resources
Medicare and Health Insurance is an official New York state program for enrollment, plan comparison, Part D drug coverage, appeals, and dual-eligibility help. The agency page lists divisions, regional offices, and how to make a request. Services are offered at no cost to qualifying New York residents. Worth a call for anyone navigating Annual Enrollment, dual eligibility with Medicaid, or appealing a coverage denial. Most questions can be answered online or by phone; there's no eligibility screening...
Statewide · Varies · Visit Website
Animatronic Pets for Companionship — operated by New York — handles enrollment, plan comparison, Part D drug coverage, appeals, and dual-eligibility help for residents 60+. The agency page lists divisions, regional offices, and how to make a request. Open at no cost to New York residents who qualify for the program. Most relevant for low-income seniors who may qualify for Extra Help, QMB, SLMB, or QI without realizing it. Expect a 10–25 minute conversation depending on how detailed the situation is;...
Statewide · Varies · Visit Website
Official New York State Health Insurance Assistance Program operator. Real state agency providing free Medicare counseling. Verified via shiphelp.org. Worth a call for anyone navigating Annual Enrollment, dual eligibility with Medicaid, or appealing a coverage denial. Online tools cover plan comparison; phone is faster for situational questions like spouse coverage or COBRA timing. Free, confidential, and available to any New York resident who needs the information.
Statewide · Varies · Visit Website
Official US Medicare site. Compare plans, find providers, understand Parts A/B/C/D, and check coverage. Call 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227) 24/7. Helpful for retirees, family caregivers, and adults under 65 with disability who qualify after 24 months on SSDI. Drop-in help is available at most local offices; bringing the Medicare card and a list of prescriptions makes the visit faster. Open at no cost to New York seniors and the families supporting them.
Nationwide · Online · Visit Website
Official federal Medicaid information. Eligibility, benefits, and state Medicaid program directory. Useful for seniors 65+ enrolling for the first time, weighing Original Medicare against Advantage plans, or trying to lower drug costs. Most questions can be answered online or by phone; there's no eligibility screening to call. Many users come away with a $40–200/month reduction in Part D drug costs they didn't know they qualified for. Free of charge — no eligibility paperwork required to call or browse.
Nationwide · Online
Free unbiased Medicare counseling in every state. Find your state's SHIP for one-on-one help. Most relevant for low-income seniors who may qualify for Extra Help, QMB, SLMB, or QI without realizing it. Expect a 10–25 minute conversation depending on how detailed the situation is; bring a current med list to speed things up. A first-stop for anyone confused by Medicare's Initial, Special, or General Enrollment Periods. All services free of charge to qualifying seniors and family caregivers.
Nationwide · Online · Visit Website
National nonprofit helping older adults and people with disabilities navigate Medicare. Free helpline 1-800-333-4114. Built for older adults choosing between Parts A, B, C, and D — especially during the seven-month Initial Enrollment window. Drop-in help is available at most local offices; bringing the Medicare card and a list of prescriptions makes the visit faster. Especially valuable for seniors getting pressure from Medicare Advantage sales calls or door-to-door enrollment pitches. All services...
Nationwide · Online · Visit Website
Legal advocacy for Medicare rights, especially appeals and complex coverage issues. Most relevant for low-income seniors who may qualify for Extra Help, QMB, SLMB, or QI without realizing it. Drop-in help is available at most local offices; bringing the Medicare card and a list of prescriptions makes the visit faster. A neutral alternative to insurance brokers — no plan is recommended for commission. Free service; donations support but never gate access.
Nationwide · Online · Visit Website
Plain-language guide to Medicare from the Medicare Rights Center. Free questions answered. Helpful for retirees, family caregivers, and adults under 65 with disability who qualify after 24 months on SSDI. Counselors walk through specific plans by name, compare drug costs side by side, and flag Medicare Savings Program eligibility. One of the most-used resources for older adults without family help navigating the system. Free of charge — no eligibility paperwork required to call or browse.
Nationwide · Online · Visit Website
Empowers seniors to detect, prevent, and report Medicare fraud. Free help in every state. Built for older adults choosing between Parts A, B, C, and D — especially during the seven-month Initial Enrollment window. Drop-in help is available at most local offices; bringing the Medicare card and a list of prescriptions makes the visit faster. A first-stop for anyone confused by Medicare's Initial, Special, or General Enrollment Periods. Open at no cost to New York seniors and the families supporting them.
Nationwide · Online · Visit Website
Social Security program helping pay Medicare prescription drug costs for limited income. Useful for seniors 65+ enrolling for the first time, weighing Original Medicare against Advantage plans, or trying to lower drug costs. Expect a 10–25 minute conversation depending on how detailed the situation is; bring a current med list to speed things up. A first-stop for anyone confused by Medicare's Initial, Special, or General Enrollment Periods. All services free of charge to qualifying seniors and family...
Nationwide · Online · Visit Website
State Medicaid programs that help pay Medicare premiums, deductibles, and coinsurance for those with limited income. Most relevant for low-income seniors who may qualify for Extra Help, QMB, SLMB, or QI without realizing it. Counselors walk through specific plans by name, compare drug costs side by side, and flag Medicare Savings Program eligibility. Many users come away with a $40–200/month reduction in Part D drug costs they didn't know they qualified for. Free, confidential, and available to any...
Nationwide · Online · Visit Website
Compare Medicare Advantage and Part D drug plans by your prescriptions and pharmacies. Worth a call for anyone navigating Annual Enrollment, dual eligibility with Medicaid, or appealing a coverage denial. Expect a 10–25 minute conversation depending on how detailed the situation is; bring a current med list to speed things up. Especially valuable for seniors getting pressure from Medicare Advantage sales calls or door-to-door enrollment pitches. Free service; donations support but never gate access.
Nationwide · Online · Visit Website
Federal Health Insurance Marketplace — for those not yet 65 or covering family members. Helpful for retirees, family caregivers, and adults under 65 with disability who qualify after 24 months on SSDI. Expect a 10–25 minute conversation depending on how detailed the situation is; bring a current med list to speed things up. A first-stop for anyone confused by Medicare's Initial, Special, or General Enrollment Periods. No cost to older adults or the people helping them.
Nationwide · Online · Visit Website
CMS — federal agency that runs Medicare, Medicaid, and CHIP. Policy and updates. Helpful for retirees, family caregivers, and adults under 65 with disability who qualify after 24 months on SSDI. Drop-in help is available at most local offices; bringing the Medicare card and a list of prescriptions makes the visit faster. Especially valuable for seniors getting pressure from Medicare Advantage sales calls or door-to-door enrollment pitches. Open at no cost to New York seniors and the families...
Nationwide · Online · Visit Website
NCOA's senior-focused Medicare planning hub with checklists and webinars. Worth a call for anyone navigating Annual Enrollment, dual eligibility with Medicaid, or appealing a coverage denial. Online tools cover plan comparison; phone is faster for situational questions like spouse coverage or COBRA timing. Many users come away with a $40–200/month reduction in Part D drug costs they didn't know they qualified for. Open at no cost to New York seniors and the families supporting them.
Nationwide · Online · Visit Website
State Health Insurance Assistance Program for New York. Free unbiased one-on-one Medicare counseling. Find your local SHIP via shiphelp.org. Most relevant for low-income seniors who may qualify for Extra Help, QMB, SLMB, or QI without realizing it. Counselors walk through specific plans by name, compare drug costs side by side, and flag Medicare Savings Program eligibility. One of the most-used resources for older adults without family help navigating the system. Free of charge — no eligibility...
Statewide · Varies · Visit Website
Official New York Medicaid program. Eligibility, applications, and benefits information. Most relevant for low-income seniors who may qualify for Extra Help, QMB, SLMB, or QI without realizing it. Expect a 10–25 minute conversation depending on how detailed the situation is; bring a current med list to speed things up. A first-stop for anyone confused by Medicare's Initial, Special, or General Enrollment Periods. All services free of charge to qualifying seniors and family caregivers.
Statewide · Varies
New York SMP — helps seniors detect and report Medicare fraud and errors. Helpful for retirees, family caregivers, and adults under 65 with disability who qualify after 24 months on SSDI. Online tools cover plan comparison; phone is faster for situational questions like spouse coverage or COBRA timing. Especially valuable for seniors getting pressure from Medicare Advantage sales calls or door-to-door enrollment pitches. Free service; donations support but never gate access.
Statewide · Varies · Visit Website