New York · Medicare and Medicaid

D-SNPs and New York “default enrollment” letters, in plain English

If you have Medicare and Medicaid, or Medicare is about to start while you are on a Medicaid plan, New York may mail you a letter about a Dual Special Needs Plan (D-SNP). This site explains what the letter says, what you can do, and who to call for free.

Free to use
No plan sales
Not the government

Start: what does my letter mean?Call HIICAP 1-800-701-0501

HIICAP is New York’s free Medicare counseling program. Counselors do not sell plans. Mon–Fri, 8:30 a.m.–5:00 p.m.

The letter, in one line

It usually arrives about 60 days before Medicare starts. You can stay in the plan or opt out before the start date.

Photo: Christian David, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Start here

Which one sounds like you?

The short version

How a “default enrollment” letter works

Three things to know before you make any call. The full checklist is in the letter decoder.

1
The letter comes early
Your Medicaid plan sends it about 60 days before your Medicare starts. It names the Medicare D-SNP you would join. Both plans are from the same company.
2
You have a choice
Do nothing and you join the D-SNP on the start date. Opt out before then and you keep Original Medicare or pick another plan. Each path has tradeoffs for your Medicaid coverage.
3
Free counselors can compare for you
HIICAP can check whether your doctors and prescriptions are covered by the D-SNP. New York Medicaid Choice can explain what happens to your Medicaid plan if you opt out.

Read the full letter decoder New to D-SNPs? Start with the basics

Help where you live

Your borough, your county name, your nearest free counselor

The rules are the same across New York. The practical parts change by borough: which county goes on the form, where HIICAP counselors sit, and the mistakes neighbors tend to make.

All boroughs and neighborhoods