Essential Plans

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The Essential Plan covers important health benefits for a $0 monthly premium, plus $0 copay for dental and vision. Sponsored by New York State, our Essential Plans are for qualified individuals ages 19 to 64.

Plan Highlights:

  • No-cost annual checkups
  • Hospital, emergency room, and urgent care visits
  • Lab tests and X-rays
  • Prescription drug coverage
  • Maternity coverage
  • No-cost dental and vision coverage*
  • 24/7 access to care with telemedicine (Teladoc)**
  • Physical, occupational, and speech therapy
  • Annual gym membership reimbursement
  • 2024
Tier
Essential Plan 200-250 (Active on April 1st, 2024)
Summary of Benefits and Coverage (PDF)
English
Star Ratings
Premium
$0
Eligible Age
19 to 64
Eligible Service Areas
Within New York City's five boroughs (the Bronx, Brooklyn, Manhattan, Queens, and Staten Island), on Long Island, and in Westchester, Orange, Rockland, and Sullivan counties
Other Eligibility Requirements
Income between $30,120 and $37,650††
Dental Cleanings
$0 copay
Vision Exams
$0 copay
Telemedicine (Teladoc)
$0 copay
Costs & Benefits
Essential Plan 200-250
Deductible (Individual)
$0
Maximum Out-of-Pocket (Individual)
$2000
Your Annual Checkup
$0 copay
Primary Care Provider (PCP) Visit
$15 copay
Specialist Visit
$25 copay
Retail Health Clinic
$25 copay
Urgent Care
$25 copay
Emergency Room
$75 copay
Ambulance
$75 copay
Surgeon
$50 copay
Outpatient Facility
$50 copay
Inpatient Hospital Stay
$150 copay per admission
Prescriptions
Generic Drugs (Tier 1)
$6 copay
Brand Name Preferred (Tier 2)
$15 copay
Brand Name Non-Preferred (Tier 3)
$30 copay
90-Day Mail-Order Supply for Generic (Tier 1)
$15 copay
Covered Prescription Drugs (Formulary) English
Tier
Essential Plan 1
Summary of Benefits and Coverage (PDF)
English
Star Ratings
Premium
$0
Eligible Age
19 to 64
Eligible Service Areas
Within New York City's five boroughs (the Bronx, Brooklyn, Manhattan, Queens, and Staten Island), on Long Island, and in Westchester, Orange, Rockland, and Sullivan counties
Other Eligibility Requirements
Income between $22,590 and $30,120††
Dental Cleanings
$0 copay
Vision Exams
$0 copay
Telemedicine (Teladoc)
$0 copay
Costs & Benefits
Essential Plan 1
Deductible (Individual)
$0
Maximum Out-of-Pocket (Individual)
$360
Your Annual Checkup
$0 copay
Primary Care Provider (PCP) Visit
$15 copay
Specialist Visit
$25 copay
Retail Health Clinic
$25 copay
Urgent Care
$25 copay
Emergency Room
$75 copay
Ambulance
$75 copay
Surgeon
$50 copay
Outpatient Facility
$50 copay
Inpatient Hospital Stay
$150 copay per admission
Prescriptions
Generic Drugs (Tier 1)
$6 copay
Brand Name Preferred (Tier 2)
$15 copay
Brand Name Non-Preferred (Tier 3)
$30 copay
90-Day Mail-Order Supply for Generic (Tier 1)
$15 copay
Covered Prescription Drugs (Formulary) English
Tier
Essential Plan 2
Summary of Benefits and Coverage (PDF)
English
Star Ratings
Premium
$0
Eligible Age
19 to 64
Eligible Service Areas
Within New York City's five boroughs (the Bronx, Brooklyn, Manhattan, Queens, and Staten Island), on Long Island, and in Westchester, Orange, Rockland, and Sullivan counties
Other Eligibility Requirements
Income between $20,783 and $22,590††
Dental Cleanings
$0 copay
Vision Exams
$0 copay
Telemedicine (Teladoc)
$0 copay
Costs & Benefits
Essential Plan 2
Deductible (Individual)
$0
Maximum Out-of-Pocket (Individual)
$200
Your Annual Checkup
$0 copay
Primary Care Provider (PCP) Visit
$0 copay
Specialist Visit
$0 copay
Retail Health Clinic
$0 copay
Urgent Care
$0 copay
Emergency Room
$0 copay
Ambulance
$0 copay
Surgeon
$0 copay
Outpatient Facility
$0 copay
Inpatient Hospital Stay
$0 copay per admission
Prescriptions
Generic Drugs (Tier 1)
$1 copay
Brand Name Preferred (Tier 2)
$3 copay
Brand Name Non-Preferred (Tier 3)
$3 copay
90-Day Mail-Order Supply for Generic (Tier 1)
$2.50 copay
Covered Prescription Drugs (Formulary) English
Tier
Essential Plan 3
Summary of Benefits and Coverage (PDF)
English
Star Ratings
Premium
$0
Eligible Age
19 to 64
Eligible Service Areas
Within New York City's five boroughs (the Bronx, Brooklyn, Manhattan, Queens, and Staten Island), on Long Island, and in Westchester, Orange, Rockland, and Sullivan counties
Other Eligibility Requirements
Income between $15,060 and $20,783††
Requires legal U.S. residency for less than five years. Learn more about your legal status here.
Dental Cleanings
$0 copay
Vision Exams
$0 copay
Telemedicine (Teladoc)
$0 copay
Costs & Benefits
Essential Plan 3
Deductible (Individual)
$0
Maximum Out-of-Pocket (Individual)
$200
Your Annual Checkup
$0 copay
Primary Care Provider (PCP) Visit
$0 copay
Specialist Visit
$0 copay
Retail Health Clinic
$0 copay
Urgent Care
$0 copay
Emergency Room
$0 copay
Ambulance
$0 copay
Surgeon
$0 copay
Outpatient Facility
$0 copay
Inpatient Hospital Stay
$0 copay per admission
Prescriptions
Generic Drugs (Tier 1)
$1 copay
Brand Name Preferred (Tier 2)
$3 copay
Brand Name Non-Preferred (Tier 3)
$3 copay
90-Day Mail-Order Supply for Generic (Tier 1)
$2.50 copay
Covered Prescription Drugs (Formulary) English
Tier
Essential Plan 4
Summary of Benefits and Coverage (PDF)
English
Star Ratings
Premium
$0
Eligible Age
19 to 64
Eligible Service Areas
Within New York City's five boroughs (the Bronx, Brooklyn, Manhattan, Queens, and Staten Island), on Long Island, and in Westchester, Orange, Rockland, and Sullivan counties
Other Eligibility Requirements
Income less than $15,060††
Requires legal U.S. residency for less than five years. Learn more about your legal status here.
Dental Cleanings
$0 copay
Vision Exams
$0 copay
Telemedicine (Teladoc)
$0 copay
Costs & Benefits
Essential Plan 4
Deductible (Individual)
$0
Maximum Out-of-Pocket (Individual)
$200
Your Annual Checkup
$0 copay
Primary Care Provider (PCP) Visit
$0 copay
Specialist Visit
$0 copay
Retail Health Clinic
$0 copay
Urgent Care
$0 copay
Emergency Room
$0 copay
Ambulance
$0 copay
Surgeon
$0 copay
Outpatient Facility
$0 copay
Inpatient Hospital Stay
$0 copay per admission
Prescriptions
Generic Drugs (Tier 1)
$0 copay
Brand Name Preferred (Tier 2)
$0 copay
Brand Name Non-Preferred (Tier 3)
$0 copay
90-Day Mail-Order Supply for Generic (Tier 1)
$0 copay
Covered Prescription Drugs (Formulary) English

*Dental services must be medically necessary to be covered; limitations apply.

**Telemedicine isn’t a replacement for your primary care provider (PCP). Your PCP should always be your first choice for care (both in-person and virtual visits).

Up to $200 per reward period. There are two reward periods—January through June, and July through December.

††Based on 2022 earnings. The income range shown is for individuals only. The income range may increase based on the eligible members in your household. To learn more, talk to a Healthfirst representative.

The benefit information provided is a brief summary, not a complete description, of benefits. For more information, contact the plan.

Coverage is provided by Healthfirst PHSP, Inc. Plans contain exclusions and limitations.

Healthfirst complies with applicable Federal civil rights laws and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, disability, or sex.

ATENCIÓN: si habla español, tiene a su disposición servicios gratuitos de asistencia lingüística. Llame al 1-866-305-0408 (TTY 1-888-867-4132).

注意:如果您使用繁體中文,您可以免費獲得語言援助服務。請致電1-866-305-0408 (TTY 1-888-542-3821).

Additional Benefits

  • Additional benefit image

    24/7 Access to Telemedicine with Teladoc

    Talk to a doctor any time—for a $0 copay. Connect with board-certified doctors through video chat or phone for prescriptions, help diagnosing and treating non-emergency conditions, and more. Access to dermatologists is also available.

  • Additional benefit image

    Active&Fit Direct

    Healthfirst makes working out affordable too! For just $28/month, you get a standard membership to a fitness center in your area. Premium fitness center options are available for an additional fee. Track your activity, monitor your progress, achieve your fitness goals, and so much more! Visit activeandfitdirect.com to learn more.

  • Additional benefit image

    ExerciseRewards Program

    Physical activity is one of the simplest ways to stay healthy, and Healthfirst makes it even more rewarding! With the Active&Fit ExerciseRewards™ program, you can earn $200 every six months if you visit a qualifying fitness center at least 50 days during the same six-month reward period. Contact ExerciseRewards at 1-877-810-2746 to learn more about qualifying fitness centers.

Additional Benefits

  • 24/7 Access to Telemedicine with Teladoc

    Additional benefits dropdown arrow
  • Active&Fit Direct

    Additional benefits dropdown arrow
  • ExerciseRewards Program

    Additional benefits dropdown arrow

Frequently Asked
Questions

See All
  • What are the NY State Essential Plans? FAQ dropdown arrow
  • Who can apply for the Essential Plan? FAQ dropdown arrow
  • Are Essential Plans the same as Medicaid? FAQ dropdown arrow

Support When You Need It

We’re happy to answer your questions.

Learn about enrollment

1-844-488-1486

Monday to Friday, 9am—6pm;
Saturday, 9am—1pm

TTY English: 1-888-542-3821

TTY Español: 1-888-867-4132

Member Services

1-888-250-2220

Monday to Saturday, 8am–8pm

TTY English: 1-888-542-3821

TTY Español: 1-888-867-4132

Can’t talk right now?

Request a callback and we’ll get back to you within one business day.

You can also visit our Virtual Community Office to connect with a local Healthfirst representative or to find a community office near you.

You can also go to the NY State of Health’s website to view your choices, or call the NY State of Health customer service center at 1-855-355-5777.