New York Medicaid Choice: what it does if you have Medicare and Medicaid

In short: New York Medicaid Choice is the state's Medicaid managed care enrollment program. If you have Medicare and Medicaid, it handles the Medicaid side: Medicaid plan changes and enrollment in long-term care plans (MLTC, MAP, and PACE). It does not sign you up for a Medicare plan like a D-SNP; that goes through the plan or Medicare. Call 1-800-505-5678, or the long-term care line at 1-888-401-6582.

Last checked September 27, 2026, against nymedicaidchoice.com and Department of Health pages. New York Medicaid Choice is run for the state by a contractor; this site is not connected to it.

What New York Medicaid Choice handles

• Medicaid managed care plans. Choosing or changing a Medicaid health plan.
• Long-term care plans. Its site lists three types: PACE, Medicaid Advantage Plus (MAP), and MLTC Medicaid plans.
• Scheduling the home care assessment. Its site has a "Schedule an assessment" link. The assessment itself is done by the New York Independent Assessor (NYIA). The state's NYIA helpline is (855) 222-8350.
• Checking your case. Its site has "Enroll Online" and "Check My Case" options.

What it does not handle

• Medicare plans. Joining or leaving a D-SNP or another Medicare Advantage plan is a Medicare enrollment. Use the plan, Medicare Plan Finder, or 1-800-MEDICARE.
• Medicaid eligibility. Whether you qualify for Medicaid is decided by HRA in NYC or your county Department of Social Services.
• Your benefits and bills. Those questions go to your plan's member services.

Step by step: using New York Medicaid Choice when you have Medicare

1. Make sure your Medicaid is active. NYIA will not schedule a home care assessment without active Medicaid, except for Immediate Need cases that go through your local office.
2. Decide which line to call. Use 1-800-505-5678 for Medicaid plan questions. Use 1-888-401-6582 for MLTC, MAP, or PACE. TTY is 1-888-329-1541.
3. If you need long-term care at home, get assessed first. NYIA does two appointments, a Community Health Assessment and a clinical appointment. The state says they should be scheduled and done within 14 days of your call.
4. Check the Minimum Needs rule. Since September 1, 2025, people 18 and older who want to join MAP or an MLTC plan must meet the state's Minimum Needs Requirements. PACE is exempt.
5. Choose a plan. For MAP, the Medicaid plan is paired with a D-SNP from the same company. Read our D-SNP vs MAP guide before you choose.
6. Keep your Medicare side in mind. If a change on the Medicaid side means a Medicare plan change too, confirm both dates in writing.

What to have ready when you call

• Your Medicaid ID (CIN) and Medicare number.
• Your current plan names, Medicare and Medicaid.
• Your doctors and home care agency, if any, so you can ask about networks.
• Any letter you received, with its date.
• A pen and paper for the date, the worker's name, and any confirmation number.

Hours

New York Medicaid Choice lists its hours as Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., and Saturday, 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.

Common mistakes

• Calling New York Medicaid Choice to join a D-SNP. That is a Medicare enrollment.
• Calling before Medicaid is active and expecting an assessment to be scheduled.
• Assuming MLTC is the only option. PACE and MAP are different, and PACE is exempt from the Minimum Needs rule.
• Not writing down confirmation numbers.

Want help with this? Get free one-on-one guidance.

If you have Medicare and Medicaid and are weighing MAP, a D-SNP, or other options, our short dual-plan help form lets you ask for free one-on-one guidance. It is optional and does not enroll you in anything.