Here’s how to renew your
Healthfirst health insurance coverage.

Many health plans now require you to renew your plan each year in order to keep your health coverage and we’re here to help you every step of the way. We can help make sure you don’t go even one day without the coverage you need for doctor visits, prescriptions, and more. Here’s what you need to do.

Step 1: See if you need to renew.

You will if you have one of these plans:

  • Medicaid
  • Essential Plan
  • Child Health Plus
  • Personal Wellness Plan (HARP)
  • Medicare Advantage Dual-Eligible Plan
  • Managed Long-Term Care

Step 2: Know your renewal date.

Not everyone’s will be the same. You can find yours on the Healthfirst mobile app and member portal. Or you can call us, and we can help you figure it out. See the chart below and call the number that applies to your specific Healthfirst plan.

If we find your renewal date is coming up shortly, we can make an appointment for you to speak with your Healthfirst Sales Rep, who can help you renew your plan.

Keep in mind that your completed application is due before your plan ends, and that different plans have different deadlines:

  • If you are enrolled through NYSOH, your application is due the 15th of the month before your plan’s end date. (For example, if your plan ends January 31, your application would be due January 15.)
  • If you are enrolled through the Human Resource Administration (HRA) or Local Department of Social Services (LDSS), your paper application is due more than a month before your plan’s end date, on the 10th of that month. (For example, if your plan ends January 31, your paper application is due December 10.)
  • If you are enrolled through HRA or LDSS and receive public assistance like cash assistance or housing, you will re-enroll through your case manager. If you have any questions, contact HRA or LDSS directly.

    Step 3: Watch your mail or email.

    You’ll receive a notice before your renewal date. Depending on what plan you have, the notice will come from either New York State of Health (NYSOH), the Human Resources Administration (HRA), or your Local Department of Social Services (LDSS).  (Medicare members who don’t get a form in the mail, call 1-844-559-4219 for assistance.)

    Healthfirst will also reach out to you by mail, email, SMS text, or phone to make sure you don’t miss your Healthfirst plan renewal date.

    Please note: If you received a paper renewal packet in the mail at two different times, New York State and CMS advise you to complete, sign, and return both renewal applications in order to keep your coverage active.

    Make sure your current mailing address, phone number, and email address are up to date so you can be reached. Either:

    Step 4: Renew your Coverage.

    For help renewing, call Healthfirst at one of the numbers in the chart below (based on your current plan) or visit us at one of our Community Offices.

    If you have: Follow these steps:

    Healthfirst Medicaid

    Essential Plan

    Child Health Plus

    Healthfirst Personal Wellness Plan

    Call 1-844-500-9820 (TTY: 1-888-542-3821), Monday to Friday, 9am-8pm to schedule an appointment with your Healthfirst Rep who will help you renew over the phone or in person.

    You can also stop by a Healthfirst Mobile Unit near you (see list below)

    Medicare Advantage with Medicaid

    Medicare Savings Program

    Call 1-844-559-4219 Monday to Friday 9am-6pm for answers to your questions and help completing your paper Medicaid renewal forms.

    Healthfirst CompleteCare (HMO D-SNP)

    Senior Health Partners (MLTC)

    Call 1-844-450-5701 (TTY: 1-888-542-3821), Monday to Friday, 8:30am–5:30pm for help renewing your Long Term Care Medicaid coverage.

    Please note: If you received a paper renewal packet in the mail, you can either return the application in the mail or renew online. In New York City, online renewal is through ACCESS HRA. Outside of New York City, renewal is through the mobile app NYDocSubmit; And remember, if you have a paper renewal packet and you receive public assistance, you should work directly with your case manager in order to maintain all eligible benefits. You can also renew benefits electronically through ACCESS HRA; or NYDocSubmit; depending on your county.

    Healthfirst Mobile Units

    These units will be open 9:00am – 4:00pm ET on the days noted through May 31:

    9 South 4th, Mount Vernon
    Monday to Friday

    50 West Broad Street, Haverstraw
    Fridays

    139 Wickham Avenue, Middletown
    Mondays

    5555 Broadway
    Wednesdays

    6301 8th Ave
    Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays Fridays

    161 Dyckman Street
    Mondays

    1725 Dutch Broadway, Elmont
    Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Fridays

    1805 5th Ave, Bayshore
    Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, Fridays

    45th Ave & Broadway, Elmhurst
    Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Fridays

    If you prefer to renew on your own, be sure to follow the directions in your renewal notice.

    Your eligibility can change from year to year based on income, dependents, and more.

    For example, if you’re on Medicare, new rules mean you can now have a higher income and be eligible for the Medicare Savings Program. That can save you a lot of money, so call Healthfirst and see if you qualify. 

    Have any required documents handy.

    Some plans require extra documents for renewal. You may need to have:  

    • Immigration documents (if any information has changed) such as a U.S. passport, a permanent resident card, employment authorization, etc.
    • Proof of household income such as most recent paystubs (four if you’re paid weekly, two if you’re paid biweekly), your current signed income tax return and all schedules if self-employed, a letter from your employer, unemployment award letter, etc.
    • Family information (if any information has changed) such as birth dates, Social Security numbers, birth certificate, passport, or permanent resident card
    • Last bank statement
    • Social Security award and pension award letter (if applicable)

    Renewal Frequently Asked Questions

    Yes. Your eligibility can change from year to year based on income, dependents, health conditions, and more. If you call Healthfirst before your renewal date, we can check that you have the best plan for your current needs.

    No. Autorenewal ends June 2023, so you now need to renew once a year. Healthfirst can help you do that.

    If you have Medicaid, Essential Plan, Child Health Plus, Personal Wellness Plan, Managed Long-Term Care, or a Medicare Advantage dual-eligible plan, you will need to renew by your personal health insurance renewal deadline. If you don’t know your renewal date, call Healthfirst and we can help figure it out.

    See the 4 steps to renew your health insurance outlined above. If you’d like us to help you, call the number for your plan that’s in the chart above.

    Not a member of Healthfirst?

    If you’re not a member but you’re looking for ways to save on your health insurance, call Healthfirst at 1-844-531-5709 (TTY: 1-888-542-3821) Monday to Friday, 9am–6pm and Saturday 9am–1pm and we can help you.

    Coverage is provided by Healthfirst Health Plan, Inc., Healthfirst PHSP, Inc., and/or Healthfirst Insurance Company, Inc. (together, “Healthfirst”).

    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).

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