Free Health Insurance New York —
$0 Plans & Essential Plan for 2026
Free health insurance New York residents qualify for is available right now through NY State of Health — New York’s state-based marketplace. Most New Yorkers earning under 250% of the poverty level pay $0–$15/month through the Essential Plan or Medicaid. FreedInsure is a NY-licensed resident-state broker (NPN: 20230457) — our service is completely free.
FreedInsure is a private licensed broker — not affiliated with NY State of Health, Healthcare.gov, or any government agency. Our service is free to you.
Free Health Insurance New York — Costs & Subsidies for 2026
Free health insurance New York families and individuals qualify for depends on income and household size. New York operates its own marketplace at NY State of Health — not Healthcare.gov. Federal premium tax credits, expanded Medicaid, and New York’s unique Essential Plan combine to offer four pathways to free or near-free coverage. The NY health insurance marketplace serves more than 6 million New Yorkers across 11+ carriers.
| Household Size | Annual Income | Est. Monthly Premium | Program |
|---|---|---|---|
| Individual | Under $20,783 | $0/month | Medicaid (NY expanded) |
| Individual | $20,783 – $30,120 | $0/month | Essential Plan (no deductible) |
| Individual | $30,120 – $37,650 | $15/month | Essential Plan (no deductible) |
| Individual | $37,650 – $60,240 | $1 – $50/month | Subsidized QHP |
| Family of 3 | Under $35,140 | $0/month | Medicaid |
| Family of 3 | $35,140 – $63,660 | $0–$15/month | Essential Plan |
| Family of 4 | Under $43,056 | $0/month | Medicaid |
| Family of 4 | $43,056 – $78,000 | $0–$15/month | Essential Plan |
| Family of 4 | $78,000 – $124,800 | $1 – $190/month | Subsidized QHP |
Estimates based on 2026 FPL and benchmark Silver plan pricing through NY State of Health. New York fully expanded Medicaid under the ACA. Children under 19 qualify for Child Health Plus in households earning up to 400% FPL. Final eligibility depends on tax filing status, household composition, and immigration status. Get your exact NY estimate →
🏥 The Essential Plan — Unique to New York
New York is one of only a handful of states with the Essential Plan, a Basic Health Program created under the ACA. It covers adults earning up to 250% of the federal poverty level ($37,650 individual / $78,000 family of 4) for $0 or $15/month, with no deductible, low copays, and dental and vision included.
Roughly 1.5 million New Yorkers are enrolled in the Essential Plan. It’s available year-round — no Open Enrollment deadline. Most national brokers don’t understand the Essential Plan because it’s NY-specific. FreedInsure enrolls members in it daily.
Health Insurance New York Marketplace Carriers for 2026
NY State of Health offers plans from 11+ carriers across downstate (NYC, Long Island, Westchester) and upstate (Buffalo, Rochester, Syracuse, Albany). As a NY-licensed health insurance broker, FreedInsure compares every option to find the best fit for your doctors, your medications, and your county — at no cost to you. Carrier availability varies by region.
Healthfirst, Fidelis, EmblemHealth, and MetroPlus dominate the NYC and Long Island metro areas. Excellus, Highmark BCBS WNY, Independent Health, CDPHP, MVP, and Univera serve upstate NY. Empire BCBS offers statewide PPO/EPO coverage. FreedInsure matches your ZIP to available plans automatically.
Your New York Insurance Broker — Resident-Licensed, Free Service
FreedInsure is a New York resident-state licensed brokerage. Our owner is licensed and based in Staten Island, and we’ve enrolled thousands of New Yorkers across NYC, Long Island, Westchester, and upstate. Most national brokers operate under non-resident licenses — we’re local, with NY-specific expertise on NY State of Health, the Essential Plan, Child Health Plus, and the difference between downstate and upstate carrier networks.
New York operates its own marketplace at NY State of Health — not Healthcare.gov. We navigate NY State of Health on your behalf, screen your eligibility for Medicaid, the Essential Plan, Child Health Plus, and Qualified Health Plans simultaneously, and apply every premium tax credit you qualify for. Our service is always free.
Beyond marketplace plans, we also help NY residents with dental and vision, life insurance, hospital indemnity, and supplemental coverage — all through a single licensed advisor.
- ✓NY resident-state licensed broker — NPN: 20230457
- ✓NY State of Health certified — not a federal exchange broker
- ✓Essential Plan experts — we enroll members daily
- ✓11+ NY carriers compared by ZIP and county
- ✓Medicaid, Essential Plan, Child Health Plus, & QHP screened in one call
- ✓Free service — carriers pay us, never you
Free Health Insurance New York — Frequently Asked Questions
Is there really free health insurance New York residents can get?
What is NY State of Health?
What is the Essential Plan?
When is Open Enrollment in New York?
Has New York expanded Medicaid?
What carriers offer plans on NY State of Health?
Can I get health insurance New York plans outside of Open Enrollment?
How much does a health insurance broker in New York cost?
How long does it take to get health insurance in New York through FreedInsure?
Get Free Health Insurance New York Plans Today
A NY-licensed FreedInsure broker compares every NY State of Health plan, screens your Essential Plan and Medicaid eligibility, applies every premium tax credit you qualify for, and handles enrollment — completely free. Most New York members pay $0–$15/month for comprehensive coverage.
NPN: 20230457 · NY-licensed resident broker · Free service · Not affiliated with NY State of Health, Healthcare.gov, or any government agency