The Healthfirst Increased Benefits Plan (HMO) is a Medicare Advantage Prescription Drug plan ideal for people who qualify for Extra Help (also known as Low Income Subsidy [LIS], which helps lower prescription drug costs) and/or a Medicare Savings Program (MSP), which helps pay for some Medicare premiums, copays, or coinsurance. This plan offers the benefits of Original Medicare plus prescription drugs, dental, hearing, vision, an OTC Plus card, transportation, the SilverSneakers® fitness program, and more. And you don’t need referrals to see in-network specialists.

Plan Highlights:

  • Low or no copays for prescription drugs
  • Supplemental drug coverage for select prescription-strength vitamins
  • Comprehensive dental
  • Vision exams and eyeglasses
  • Hearing exams and hearing aids
  • An OTC Plus card for OTC nonprescription drugs and health-related items, healthy foods, fitness equipment and activity trackers, personal emergency response systems (PERS), and home utilities such as gas, oil, electric, water, and internet service
  • Rides to your healthcare providers
  • Acupuncture
Premium
$0*
*If you lose Extra Help, your monthly premium may be $39.20. However, all members with Extra Help will have $0 monthly premiums.
Eligible Age
65 or older (or under 65 with certain disabilities)
Eligible Service Areas
Reside within New York City’s five boroughs (The Bronx, Brooklyn, Manhattan, Queens, and Staten Island), Nassau, Suffolk, Orange, Rockland, Sullivan, and Westchester counties.
Other Eligibility Requirements
Qualify for Medicare Part A (you are 65 or older, or under 65 with certain disabilities)
Enroll in and continue to pay for Medicare Part B
Medical Deductible
$0
Maximum Out-of-Pocket
$8,850
OTC Plus Card
$100 per quarter allowance for over-the-counter (OTC) nonprescription drugs and health-related items, healthy foods*, fitness equipment and activity trackers, personal emergency response systems (PERS), and home utilities such as gas, oil, electric, water, and internet service*.
*For those who have LIS (Extra Help)
Annual Supplemental Physical Exam
$0 copay
Dental
$0 copay for covered preventive and comprehensive dental services, no annual benefit maximum
Vision
$0 copay for routine vision exams, including refraction
$200 allowance per year toward eyeglasses/contacts
Hearing
$0 copay for routine hearing exams
$0-$1,475 copay per hearing aid
Plan covers one hearing aid per ear, per year
Acupuncture
$0 copay for up to 20 visits per year for chronic lower back pain and 12 supplemental visits per year for any condition
Telemedicine (Teladoc)
$0 copay
Nurse Help Line Access
$0 copay
Rides to Your Healthcare Providers
$0 copay for transportation to/from your doctor—up to 40 one-way trips per year
Meal Delivery
$0 copay for up to 84 meals delivered to your home for up to 28 days following a discharge from hospital to home or from a Skilled Nursing Facility to home with a stay greater than two days, if recommended by a provider
Your Annual Checkup
$0 copay
Primary Care Provider (PCP) Visit
$0 copay
Specialist Visit
$20 copay
Outpatient Lab Tests (including COVID-19)
$0 copay
Retail Health Clinic
$10 copay
Urgent Care
$40 copay
Emergency Room
$100 copay
Ambulance
$250 copay
Ambulatory Surgery Visit
$200 copay each visit
Outpatient Facility
20% coinsurance
Inpatient Hospital Stay
$450 copay per day for up to 5 days;
$0 copay per day after 5 days
Skilled Nursing Facility
$0 copay per day for up to 20 days;
$203 copay per day for days 21–100

Prescription Drug Benefits

We want to help you get the most out of your Part D prescription drug benefits. Please refer to the formulary below to see which medications are covered. Healthfirst may add drugs to or remove them from its Medicare formulary during the year. You will receive notice when changes are made.

Depending on your level of Extra Help, these 30-day supply costs may not apply:

Deductible (Applies to Tiers 2‒5)
$545
Preferred Generic Drugs (Tier 1)
$0 copay, no deductible
Generic Drugs (Tier 2)
$20 per prescription after deductible
Preferred Brand and Generic Drugs (Tier 3)
$47 per prescription after deductible
Non-Preferred Drugs (Tier 4)
50% of the total costs after deductible
Specialty Drugs (Tier 5)
25% of cost after deductible
Supplemental Drugs (Tier 6)
$5 per prescription, no deductible
Select Insulins
Maximum of $35 copay for 30-day supply, no deductible
Quantity Limits

For safety and cost reasons, plans may limit the amount of a prescription drug they cover over a certain period of time. For example, most people who are prescribed heartburn medication take one tablet a day for four weeks. Therefore, a plan may cover only an initial 30-day supply of the heartburn medication. The quantity allowed is listed after the QL symbol in your formulary and may be read as “units per days’ supply.” If your prescription for any of these medications exceeds the maximum quantity listed, you and your doctor will need to request a formulary exception.

Additional Plan Highlights

24/7 Access to Telemedicine with Teladoc*

Talk to a doctor any time—for a $0 copay. Visit with board-certified doctors through video chat or phone for prescriptions, treatment of non-emergency health issues, and more. Access to dermatologists is also available.

*Telemedicine (Teladoc) 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).

24/7 Access to care with the Nurse Help Line**

Talk to a nurse any time—for a $0 copay. Get wellness advice and help finding a doctor.

**Telemedicine (Teladoc) and the Nurse Help Line are not replacements for your primary care provider (PCP). Your PCP should always be your first choice for care (both in-person and virtual visits).

Urgent Care Center Network

Get the care you need when you need it at an urgent care center in our network – no appointment needed. Urgent care centers offer convenient late-night and weekend hours. Visit an in-network urgent care center to get help with non-emergency health issues like earache, upset stomach, and sprains; for wounds that need stitches; and more.

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SilverSneakers

Get access to live classes and workshops taught by instructors trained in senior fitness, 200+ workout videos in the SilverSneakers On-Demand online library, online fitness and nutrition tips, and their mobile app with digital workout programs.

Healthfirst Medication Therapy Management Program

The Healthfirst Medication Therapy Management (MTM) program is an in-depth, one-on-one review of all your medications (prescription drugs, over-the-counter nonprescription drugs, and herbal and nutritional supplements). The goal is to help you get the most from your medications. Services include:

  • Phone consultation with a licensed pharmacist to complete a Comprehensive Medication Review (CMR). The call will take about 30 to 60 minutes and the pharmacist will answer any questions you may have. (A CMR is offered once each year, if you qualify.)
  • Medication Action Plan (MAP)
  • Medication recommendations may be sent to your provider from the MTM pharmacist, also known as Targeted Medication Review (TMR)
  • A list that shows all your medications

Learn More

Plan Documents

2024 Increased Benefits (HMO) Plan

General Plan Information
The Healthfirst Increased Benefits Plan is rated a Four-Star-Rated Medicare Advantage Plan in 2024
Every year, Medicare evaluates plans based on a 5-star rating system.
2024 Star Ratings
Dental Benefit Guide
Low Income Subsidy Pricing
Summary of Benefits
Prescription Drug Information
Comprehensive Formulary (List of Covered Drugs)
List of Drugs Requiring Prior Authorization
List of Drugs Requiring Step Therapy
See all forms & documents

This information is not a complete description of benefits. Contact the plan for more information. Benefits, premiums, and/or copayments/coinsurance may change each year. The formulary, pharmacy network, and/or provider network may change at any time. You will receive notice when necessary.

You must continue to pay your Medicare Part B premium.

Coverage is provided by Healthfirst Health Plan, Inc., which offers HMO plans that contract with the Federal Government. Enrollment in Healthfirst Medicare Plan depends on contract renewal.

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).

No out-of-pocket costs for entry-level hearing aids. Eyewear allowance can only be used at participating retailers.

Dental services must be medically necessary; limitations and exclusions apply.

OTC items are subject to the plan’s list of eligible items and the plan’s participating network of retail, online, and utility providers.

Telemedicine (Teladoc) and the Nurse Help Line are not replacements for your primary care provider (PCP). Your PCP should always be your first choice for care (both in-person and virtual visits).

DentaQuest® is contracted with Healthfirst to provide dental benefits to its members.

EyeMed® is contracted with Healthfirst to provide vision benefits to its members.

SilverSneakers is a registered trademark of Tivity Health, Inc.© 2023 Tivity Health, Inc. All rights reserved.

Modivcare and Medical Answering Services provide the covered transportation services under your plan.

Last update July 10, 2024 @ 8:41 pm

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Frequently Asked Questions

To receive the most benefits from the Healthfirst Increased Benefits Plan, you should be eligible for Extra Help, also known as Low Income Subsidy (LIS), which helps lower prescription drug costs, some or all of your prescription drug coverage (Part D) premiums, deductibles, coinsurance, and/or copayments. Note: If you have limited income, but aren’t on Medicaid, you may still qualify for Low Income Subsidy.

People with Medicaid get Extra Help automatically when they enroll in Medicare. Those without Medicaid (who qualify for Extra Help) must enroll on their own through the Social Security Administration.

Another financial assistance program is the Medicare Savings Program (MSP), which is a federally funded program for people with limited income and resources to help pay some or all of their Medicare premiums, deductibles, copayments, and coinsurance. MSP eligibility is based on your household income, with no limit to assets. For example, if you own your home and are single and making less than $2,200 a month (or married and making less than $3,000 a month) you can still qualify.

With the Healthfirst Increased Benefits plan you receive a $100/quarter ($400/year) OTC Plus card that can be used to pay for over-the-counter (OTC) non-prescription drugs, health-related items, healthy foods, or even home utilities such as gas, oil, electric, water, and internet service.*

*For members with Extra Help; members without Extra Help have $100/quarter ($400/year) for OTC and health-related items, exercise equipment, fitness trackers and wearables, and personal emergency response systems (PERS) only.

Use your OTC Plus card to save on over-the-counter and health-related items, healthy foods, and more. To buy, you can:

  • Visit participating local retailers and farmers’ markets in your neighborhood
  • Shop at nationwide retailers in person such as Walgreens, Walmart, and Rite Aid or
  • Shop online with no-cost delivery at https://www.conveyhfotc.com/login.

The Healthfirst Increased Benefits Plan (HMO) Medicare Advantage Prescription Drug plan offers dental coverage with no annual maximum and includes cleanings, exams, X-rays, in addition to complex care such as extractions, dentures, crowns, and more.

Taking advantage of your plan benefits can help you save money on healthcare costs. To help you lower your overall health insurance costs, you should always:

  • Use your no-cost benefits, such as annual physical and dental checkups, to help keep you healthy and identify potential health risks early.
  • Make sure you see an in-network doctor or facility for treatment to avoid surprise bills.
  • Visit an urgent care center for non-emergency issues such as colds or flu, sprains, and wounds.
  • Ask your in-network doctor or pharmacist for 90-day prescription refills and Tier 1 $0 Preferred Generic Drugs whenever possible.

Use your telemedicine benefit whenever you cannot see a healthcare provider in person.

Pharmacy benefits are different for each Healthfirst health insurance plan. Please check your plan’s formulary for more information on which prescription medicines and other items are covered.

Healthfirst has partnered with CVS Caremark to bring you a personal prescription drug account that will give you 24/7 access to important drug benefit information and tools that will make getting your prescription drugs easier. Click here to create your account or log in.

Support When You Need It

We’re happy to answer your questions. Our service centers hours are:

  • October through March, 7 days a week, 8am—8pm
  • April through September, Monday to Friday, 8am—8pm
Learn about enrollment 1-877-237-1303

TTY English: 1-888-542-3821

TTY Español: 1-888-867-4132
Medicare Member Services 1-888-260-1010
TTY English: 1-888-542-3821
TTY Español: 1-888-867-4132

Need help enrolling in a health plan?

Request a call and our sales team will call you within one business day.

You can also visit us in person at one of our community offices

The following link will take you to Medicare.gov where you can enroll online.

CMS Online Enrollment Center