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Individuals who are:

  •  Residing in New York State
  •  Earning below $39,125 annually (For single in 2025)
  •  Lawfully present in the U.S.
  •  19-64 years old for US Citizens, legal immigrants
  •  21-64 years old for nonimmigrants visa holders
  •  Not eligible for Medicaid or Child Health Plus
  •  Not eligible for employer coverage.

The Essential Plan includes a wide range of services known as Essential Health Benefits.

These generally cover doctor visits (including specialists), lab tests ordered by your doctor, prescription medications, hospital care (both inpatient and outpatient), routine physical exams, as well as dental and vision services.

In addition, members may be eligible for a $200 gym membership reimbursement if they visit a participating gym at least 50 times within a 6-month period.


When you complete the application on our website, we will submit your information on to the New York Individual Marketplace within 48 hours and will inform you once it has been approved.

The NYEP (New York Essential Plan) is free because it's heavily subsidized by federal and state funds.

It will be effective in the month your application is approved. For example, if you apply on August 15, 2021 and you get approved then your coverage can start August 1st.

The physical card will arrive to your mailbox in 2-3 weeks once you have been successfully enrolled.

You may access your digital card if you need your card as soon as possible.

UnitedHealthcare members:

1) Find your member ID within your portal or by contacting customer service.

2) With your member ID, register for an account here Click Here

3) Once registered, download your digital ID.

You may Call UnitedHealthcare at 1-866-263-1893 if you need help with your ID card.

For visa holders (F1, J1, OPT, etc.), there are no restrictions.

For green card holders or US citizens, there are no restrictions for Essential Plan 200-250/1/2;

however, to qualify for Essential Plan 3/4, you need to have lived in New York for less than 5 years.

Since the Essential Plan is funded by the New York State government, coverage is limited to medical facilities within New York State. If you're outside the state, the plan only covers emergency and urgent care services.

Not for everyone, but if you are a U.S. citizen and permanent resident, you need to provide SSN.

Generally, this isn't required. However, you will need to show proof of residency if the system can't verify your residential address.

Yes, as of 4/1/2024, the Essential Plan covers pregnancy and maternity, including childbirth.

Yes, most OPT students qualify if they meet other eligibility requirements.

These requirements include:

- Being a New York resident

- Having no active coverage from any employer

- Having annual income below $39,125

EAD card, Passport, and OPT receipt number.

You can enroll anytime throughout the year.

You can’t have the coverage overlap. The New York Essential Plan is NOT supplemental to a primary plan, and may NOT be used in conjunction with any medical plan.

No. The Essential Plan will not impact a Student visa application. In fact, under the ACA, Student visa holder should enroll in health insurance because they may be liable for a federal tax penalty under the ACA if they do not have insurance.
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