The Healthfirst Life Improvement Plan is a Medicare Advantage Dual-Eligible Special Needs (HMO D-SNP) plan that offers members the benefits of Original Medicare and more, such as prescription drugs, an OTC Plus card, dental, hearing, vision, transportation, the SilverSneakers® fitness program, 24/7 access to care via phone or video chat, and more. Plus, you don’t need referrals to see in-network specialists. This plan is designed for people who have both Medicare and Medicaid.

Plan Highlights:

  • OTC Plus card for OTC 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
  • Prescription drug coverage as low as $0
  • Comprehensive dental
  • Hearing exams and hearing aids
  • Vision exams and eyeglasses
  • SilverSneakers fitness program
  • Acupuncture
Enrollment Period

Eligible beneficiaries can enroll in this plan at any time.

Choose Plan Year
Premium
$0
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. Medicare Part B premium is covered for dual-eligible members who have full Medicaid coverage
Are eligible for both Medicare and full Medicaid or for Medicare cost-sharing assistance under Medicaid.
Medical Deductible
$0
Maximum Out-of-Pocket
$9,350
OTC Plus Card
$575 per quarter allowance for OTC non-prescription 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
Dental
$0 copay for covered preventive and comprehensive dental services1
Vision
$350 allowance per year toward eyeglasses/contacts
Hearing
$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 additional visits per year for any condition, including chronic lower back pain
Telemedicine (Teladoc)
$0 copay
Nurse Help Line Access
$0 copay
Rides to Your Healthcare Providers
$0 copay transportation to/from your doctor or pharmacy for covered services—up to 28 one-way trips per year (additional trips covered by Medicaid, if you qualify)
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
$0 copay
Outpatient Lab Tests (including COVID-19)
$0 copay
Retail Health Clinic
$0 copay
Urgent Care
$0 copay
Emergency Room
$0 copay
Ambulance
$0 copay
Ambulatory Surgery Visit
$0 copay
Outpatient Facility
$0 copay
Inpatient Hospital Stay
$0 copay
Skilled Nursing Facility
$0 copay

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.

In 2025, Healthfirst Life Improvement Plan members will pay $0 for most covered prescription drugs, and have convenient delivery options.  Also, Tier 5 Specialty Drugs are only available for a 30-day supply.

Preferred Generic Drugs (Tier 1)
$0
Generic Drugs (Tier 2)
$0
Preferred Brand and Generic Drugs (Tier 3)
$0
Non-Preferred Drugs (Tier 4)
Depending on your level of Extra Help, you pay $0, $1.60, $4.80, $4.90, or $12.15
Specialty Drugs (Tier 5)
Depending on your level of Extra Help, you pay $0, $1.60, $4.80, $4.90, or $12.15
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® Health*

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.

E8F603C3-4D94-4DCE-818B-75031FE268CE Created with sketchtool.

SilverSneakers®

Get access to live classes and workshops taught by instructors trained in senior fitness, 300+ 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

2025 Life Improvement (HMO D-SNP) Plan

General Plan Information
The Healthfirst Life Improvement Plan, a Medicare Advantage Plan, has earned a 4.5-Star rating for 2025
2025 Star Ratings

Every year, Medicare evaluates plans based on a 5-star rating system.

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
Find member forms
See all plan documents

1Dental services must be medically necessary; limitations and exclusions apply.

This information is not a complete description of benefits. Contact the plan for more information. Benefits, premiums, and/or copayments/coinsurance may change on January 1 of 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. and/or Healthfirst PHSP, Inc, which offer HMO plans with a Medicare contract and a contract with the NY State Medicaid program. 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.

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.

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

SilverSneakers is a registered trademark of Tivity Health, Inc.© 2024 Tivity Health, Inc. All rights reserved.

Last update December 16, 2024 @ 1:51 pm

Y0147_MKT25_91 5128-24_M

Premium
$0
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, 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. Medicare Part B premium is covered for dual-eligible members who have full Medicaid coverage
Are eligible for both Medicare and full Medicaid or for Medicare cost-sharing assistance under Medicaid.
Medical Deductible
$0
Maximum Out-of-Pocket
$8,850
OTC Plus Card
$525 per quarter allowance for OTC non-prescription 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
Dental
$0 copay for covered preventive and comprehensive dental services
Vision
$350 allowance per year toward eyeglasses/contacts
Hearing
$0-$1,475 copay per hearing aid
Plan covers one hearing aid per ear, per year
Acupuncture
$0 copay for up to 20 acupuncture visits for chronic lower back pain and an additional 12 supplemental visits for other conditions (including chronic lower back pain) per year
Telemedicine (Teladoc)
$0 copay
Nurse Help Line Access
$0 copay
Rides to Your Healthcare Providers
$0 copay transportation to/from your doctor for covered services—up to 28 one-way trips per year (additional trips covered by Medicaid, if you qualify)
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
$0 copay
Outpatient Lab Tests (including COVID-19)
$0 copay
Retail Health Clinic
$0 copay
Urgent Care
$0 copay
Emergency Room
$0 copay
Ambulance
$0 copay
Ambulatory Surgery Visit
$0 copay
Outpatient Facility
$0 copay
Inpatient Hospital Stay
$0 copay
Skilled Nursing Facility
$0 copay

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.

In 2024, Healthfirst Life Improvement Plan members will pay $0 for most covered prescription drugs, and have convenient delivery options.

All Covered Drugs
$0 copay
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.

E8F603C3-4D94-4DCE-818B-75031FE268CE Created with sketchtool.

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 Life Improvement (HMO D-SNP) Plan

General Plan Information
The Healthfirst Life Improvement 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
Find member forms
See all plan documents

This information is not a complete description of benefits. Contact the plan for more information. Benefits, premiums, and/or copayments/coinsurance may change on January 1 of 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 with a Medicare contract and a contract with the NY State Medicaid program. 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.

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).

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

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

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

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

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

Last update December 16, 2024 @ 1:51 pm

Y0147_MKT24_67 1102-23_M

Frequently Asked Questions

For individuals eligible for Medicare and Medicaid, our Dual-Eligible Special Needs plans (D-SNPs) are designed to make prescription drugs, healthy foods and even home utilities more affordable!

Medicare Special Needs Plans (SNPs) are a type of Medicare Advantage Plan that limits membership to people with specific diseases or characteristics. Medicare SNPs tailor their plan benefits, provider choices, and drug formularies to best meet the specific needs of the members they serve.

Our Life Improvement Plan (HMO D-SNP) Medicare Advantage Prescription Drug plan is designed to help our members live better and healthier lives with prescription drug coverage as low as $0, a quarterly OTC Plus card allowance that can be used to purchase healthy foods and more.

With the Healthfirst Life Improvement (HMO D-SNP) Medicare Advantage plan, you receive a quarterly OTC Plus card allowance that can be used to pay for over-the-counter (OTC) non-prescription medicines and health-related items, healthy foods, exercise equipment and activity trackers, personal emergency response systems (PERS), or even home utilities such as gas, oil, electric, water, and internet service.

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, Rite Aid and more,
  • Shop online with no-cost delivery at https://www.conveyhfotc.com/login,
  • Have fully prepared, refrigerated meals delivered to your home from Moms Meals.

The Healthfirst Life Improvement Plan (HMO D-SNP) 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.

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

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 plan 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 copay 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.

Have questions about your plan? Looking to enroll?

Have questions or
ready to enroll?

We can help!

Support When You Need It

We’re happy to answer your questions. Our service center's 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

If you receive Medicaid and want to know whether you are eligible for a Managed Long-Term Care Plan, you can call the New York Independent Assessor (NYIA) formerly Conflict-Free Evaluation Enrollment Center (CFEEC) at 1-855-222-8350, TTY at 1-888-329-1541, Monday to Friday, 8:30am-8pm, and Saturday, 10am-6pm, to schedule your initial assessment.