Q&A (718) 737-2252 See if you're eligible RU

Medicaid card guide · New York

What can I get with my Medicaid?

Free food, housing support, cooking supplies, appliances and transportation. Your Medicaid card shows which of these you may qualify for. Check yours in 3 short steps.

  1. 1Look at your cards
  2. 2Find your plan
  3. 3See what you may get

No health plan yet? See what to do first. Don’t want to figure it out? Call 718-737-2252. We can check your coverage for you.

Step 1

Which Medicaid card do I have?

Find your cards. Look at what they say. Then find the one below that matches.

Good to know: everyone with Medicaid has a Client ID (CIN), with or without Medicare, and with or without a plan. So the CIN does not tell you which kind you have. Look at which cards you have.

Start here if you have no plan yet

NEW YORK STATE BENEFIT CARD NAMEJANE Q SAMPLE CLIENT ID (CIN)AB12345C ISSUE DATE01/01/2020 12SAMPLESAMPLE
  1. 1Says “New York State” and “Benefit Card”
  2. 2Client ID (CIN): 2 letters, 5 numbers, 1 letter

If you have only the state card, or often the state card and a Medicare plan card

Medicaid fee-for-service (FFS)

Your Medicaid is not in a health plan yet. Medicaid pays your doctors directly. For many people, FFS is only a starting point, or a short gap before a plan begins.

What to do next

  1. Check that you can join a plan. Most people can. People with other full health insurance, emergency-only Medicaid, or a spenddown (you pay part of your medical bills each month) usually cannot. Have Medicare too? The rules are different, so call us first.
  2. Call to choose a plan. It is free. New York Medicaid Choice: 1-800-505-5678. If your Medicaid case is with NY State of Health, call 1-855-355-5777 or use your online account. Most people must join a plan: if you get a letter asking you to choose and you don’t, a plan will be chosen for you. It is better to choose yourself, so you can pick a plan that works with your doctors.
  3. Wait for your plan to start. It usually starts on the 1st of a month, a few weeks after you choose. Until then, use your state card, and keep it after your plan starts: you need it at the pharmacy. Your plan will mail you a new card.
  4. Call us when your plan starts. 718-737-2252. We will screen you and check what you can get.

Any regular Medicaid health plan works, including HARP. You can switch plans in the first 90 days. MBD Care does not choose a plan for you.

Have Medicare and a card from Fidelis, Healthfirst or MetroPlus? Many people with both Medicare and Medicaid are in a Medicare “dual” plan (D-SNP) from these companies. Often their Medicaid is still fee-for-service, but some dual plans also include Medicaid. Call us and we will check.

Not yet. FFS members cannot get these services. If you can join a Medicaid health plan, you may qualify after it starts.

Most help available

YOUR HEALTH PLAN Medicaid Managed Care MEMBERJANE Q SAMPLE MEMBER ID000123456 PRIMARY CARE DOCTOR (PCP)DR. A. EXAMPLE PCP PHONE(000) 000-0000 CLIENT ID (CIN)AB12345C Member Services: 1-800-XXX-XXXX 123SAMPLESAMPLE
  1. 1The name of a health plan, like Fidelis Care or Healthfirst
  2. 2Your primary care doctor (PCP) and their phone number
  3. 3Your Client ID (CIN), the same as on your state card

If you have a plan card and the state card

Medicaid Managed Care

You are in a health plan. The plan card shows the plan’s name, your primary care doctor and your Client ID (CIN).

Have Medicare too? A card from Fidelis, Healthfirst, MetroPlus or another company may be for a Medicare plan. Then your Medicaid may be fee-for-service. See the first card.

Why this card helps

  • You have a main doctor (PCP) and a plan that helps arrange your care.
  • Member Services can answer questions about your benefits.
  • You can ask for Social Care Network help: food, housing support, cooking supplies, appliances and transportation.

Compared with other cards

This is the card that opens the most help with food and daily needs.

You may qualify. A short screening decides what you can get.

Other help available

YOUR LONG-TERM CARE PLAN Managed Long Term Care (MLTC) or MAP MEMBERJANE Q SAMPLE MEMBER ID000123456 CARE MANAGER(000) 000-0000 HOME CARECall your care manager CLIENT ID (CIN)AB12345C Member Services: 1-800-XXX-XXXX 123SAMPLESAMPLE
  1. 1Words like “long-term care”, “MLTC”, “MAP” or “home care”
  2. 2A care manager, usually no primary care doctor
  3. 3Your Client ID (CIN), the same as on your state card

If you have a long-term care plan card

MLTC or MAP (long-term care plans)

These plans are mostly for care at home. With MLTC, you keep your Medicare doctors and the plan covers your long-term care. With MAP (Medicaid Advantage Plus), one plan covers both your Medicare and your Medicaid, including long-term care.

Why this card helps

  • It covers care at home, like a home health aide.
  • A care manager plans your services with you.
  • With MAP, Medicare and Medicaid are in one plan, with one card.

Compared with other cards

This card is made for home care. It does not open food help through this program (ask your plan about meals), but you may still get other supports, like housing support, cooking supplies, appliances or transportation.

No food through this program. May qualify for other supports, depending on the screening.

These are our own sample drawings with made-up details. Real cards look different from plan to plan, and colors and layout change over time. Look for the numbered parts, not the colors.

Words to know

Medicaid
Health coverage from New York State for people with low income.
Health plan
A company that runs your Medicaid for the state. It gives you its own card.
Primary care doctor (PCP)
Your main doctor. A plan card often lists this doctor.
Client ID (CIN)
Your Medicaid number. Everyone with Medicaid has one, in a plan or not. Keep it private.
Social Care Network
A New York program that connects Medicaid members to help with food, housing, transportation and more.
Medicare
A different program, mostly for people 65 and older. Some people have both.
MAP (Medicaid Advantage Plus)
One plan for people with Medicare and Medicaid who need long-term care. It covers both.
Dual plan (D-SNP)
A Medicare plan for people who have both Medicare and Medicaid. With some, Medicaid stays fee-for-service. Others also include Medicaid.

Step 2

Find your New York Medicaid plan

Type the name on your plan card, or tap a button to filter. Some companies have more than one kind of plan, so check which one is on your card. Only have the state card, or a Medicare plan card? Tap Fee-for-service (FFS).

No health plan yet: Medicaid fee-for-service (FFS)

You have only the state card, or the state card and a Medicare plan card

  • Medicaid fee-for-service (FFS)Not a plan. Medicaid pays your doctors directly.Not yet: join a plan first

For many people, FFS is only a starting point. Most people can join a Medicaid health plan for free by calling New York Medicaid Choice at 1-800-505-5678. See the steps. Have Medicare too? Fidelis, Healthfirst, MetroPlus and other companies also sell Medicare “dual” plans (D-SNP). If your card is for one of these, your Medicaid may be FFS. Call us and we will check.

Fidelis Care

Also called: Wellcare Fidelis

  • Medicaid Managed CareFidelis CareMay qualify
  • MLTC (long-term care)Fidelis Care at HomeOther help may qualify
  • MAP (Medicare + Medicaid, long-term care)Wellcare Fidelis Dual PlusOther help may qualify

Also sells Medicare “dual” plans. If your card is for one of those, your Medicaid may be fee-for-service (FFS). Call us and we will check.

Healthfirst

  • Medicaid Managed CareHealthfirstMay qualify
  • MLTC (long-term care)Senior Health PartnersOther help may qualify
  • MAP (Medicare + Medicaid, long-term care)Healthfirst CompleteCareOther help may qualify

Also sells Medicare “dual” plans. If your card is for one of those, your Medicaid may be fee-for-service (FFS). Call us and we will check.

MetroPlus Health

Also called: MetroPlusHealth

  • Medicaid Managed CareMetroPlus HealthMay qualify
  • MLTC (long-term care)MetroPlus MLTCOther help may qualify
  • MAP (Medicare + Medicaid, long-term care)MetroPlus UltraCareOther help may qualify

Also sells Medicare “dual” plans. If your card is for one of those, your Medicaid may be fee-for-service (FFS). Call us and we will check.

Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield HealthPlus

Also called: Empire HealthPlus, Anthem HealthPlus, Empire

  • Medicaid Managed CareAnthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield HealthPlusMay qualify
  • MAP (Medicare + Medicaid, long-term care)Anthem HealthPlus Full Dual Advantage LTSSOther help may qualify

Older cards may say Empire HealthPlus.

UnitedHealthcare Community Plan

Also called: UnitedHealthcare, United

  • Medicaid Managed CareUnitedHealthcare Community PlanMay qualify

No MLTC plan in New York. UnitedHealthcare also has a MAP plan for people with both Medicare and Medicaid who need long-term care. If that is your card, call us and we will check.

EmblemHealth

Also called: HIP, Emblem

  • Medicaid Managed CareEmblemHealthMay qualify

Older cards may say HIP.

Molina Healthcare

Also called: Molina

  • Medicaid Managed CareMolina HealthcareMay qualify

VNS Health

Also called: VNSNY CHOICE, VNSNY, Visiting Nurse Service

  • MLTC (long-term care)VNS Health MLTCOther help may qualify
  • MAP (Medicare + Medicaid, long-term care)VNS Health TotalOther help may qualify

Long-term care plans only. Older cards may say VNSNY CHOICE.

Elderplan

Also called: HomeFirst

  • MLTC (long-term care)HomeFirstOther help may qualify
  • MAP (Medicare + Medicaid, long-term care)Elderplan Plus Long-Term CareOther help may qualify

Long-term care plans only. The MLTC plan is called HomeFirst.

Centers Plan for Healthy Living

Also called: Centers Plan, Centers

  • MLTC (long-term care)Centers Plan for Healthy LivingOther help may qualify
  • MAP (Medicare + Medicaid, long-term care)Centers Plan for Medicaid Advantage PlusOther help may qualify

Long-term care plans only.

Don’t see your plan? Call us and we will check. Plan names are listed so members can find their plan. MBD Care is not affiliated with or endorsed by these health plans.

Step 3

Services you may qualify for

If you are in a Medicaid Managed Care plan, you may be able to get help with food and daily needs. A short screening decides what each person can get. If you are approved, there is no cost to you. In an MLTC or MAP plan? You cannot get food through this program, but you may get the supports in “Beyond the meals”. No plan yet? Join a health plan first.

Food and nutrition, from MBD Care

Nutrition counseling

One-on-one help from a registered dietitian, in person or by phone or video.

Beyond the meals

The same Medicaid benefit that covers food also covers other supports that keep a household stable. When we screen you, we look at these needs too.

Housing support

Help finding stable housing, and help keeping it — navigating applications, working with landlords, and connecting to the right housing programmes.

Cooking supplies

Pots, pans, knives, storage and the basic equipment a kitchen needs, so that a grocery box can actually be cooked.

Appliances

Where a household is missing something essential — a refrigerator to store fresh food, or a microwave to reheat prepared meals — we can look into it.

Transportation

Rides to medical appointments, dialysis, and the social care appointments that go with them, arranged alongside your other services.

We deliver in Brooklyn, Queens and Manhattan. We speak English, Russian, Ukrainian, Uzbek and Hebrew. More about the food we deliver and which plans qualify.

Questions

Questions about Medicaid cards and services

Do I qualify for food and other help with Medicaid?

You may, if you have active New York Medicaid through a Medicaid Managed Care plan, live in Brooklyn, Queens or Manhattan, and have a qualifying health need. A short screening decides what you can get, from food to housing support, cooking supplies, appliances and transportation. People with Medicaid fee-for-service (FFS) need to join a health plan first. People in MLTC or MAP plans cannot get food through this program, but may qualify for other supports.

What services can I get with my Medicaid?

If you qualify, Medicaid may cover food from MBD Care, like a weekly food prescription box, ready-to-heat meals or nutrition counseling. It may also cover housing support, cooking supplies, appliances such as a refrigerator or microwave, and transportation. A short screening decides what you can get.

I have more than one card. Which one counts?

Most people with a health plan have two cards: the state Medicaid card and a card from their plan. The plan card tells you which plan you are in. If you also have a Medicare card, you may be in a long-term care plan or another kind of plan. Call us and we will check for you.

How can I tell if my plan card is for Medicaid?

The CIN alone does not tell you, because everyone with Medicaid has one. The same companies also sell Medicare plans. The easiest way is to call us. We can check what kind of coverage you have.

My card says Fidelis or MetroPlus, but I was told I have fee-for-service (FFS). How?

This can happen if you have both Medicare and Medicaid. Your card may be for a Medicare plan from that company, sometimes called a dual plan (D-SNP). Your Medicaid is still fee-for-service. Call us and we will check.

I lost my card, or I am not sure which plan I have.

That is okay. Call us at 718-737-2252. We can look up your current coverage for you.

My card is old. Is it still right?

Maybe not. Plans change names, and people change plans. Old cards can be out of date. We check your current coverage before anything else.

I have Medicaid fee-for-service (FFS). Can I still get help?

We can help you with the next steps, but food and the other supports on this page start only after you are in a Medicaid health plan. For many people, FFS is only a starting point: most people with New York Medicaid must join a health plan, and if you don't choose one after the state asks you to, one will be chosen for you. Once your plan starts, call us and a short screening decides what you can get.

How do I join a health plan, and how long does it take?

Most people with New York Medicaid must join a health plan. If you get a letter asking you to choose and you don't, a plan will be chosen for you, so it is better to choose yourself. Call New York Medicaid Choice at 1-800-505-5678. If your Medicaid case is with NY State of Health, call 1-855-355-5777 or use your online account. Choose a plan that works with your doctors. The plan usually starts on the 1st of a month, a few weeks after you choose, and until then you use your state card (keep it after your plan starts, too, for the pharmacy). You can switch plans in the first 90 days, and any regular Medicaid health plan works, including HARP. People with other full health insurance, emergency-only Medicaid or a spenddown usually cannot join, and if you also have Medicare the rules are different, so call us and we will check.

I have an MLTC or MAP plan. Can I get help?

Members of these long-term care plans cannot get food through this program, because the plan can provide meals as a benefit (ask your plan). They may qualify for other supports, like housing support, cooking supplies, appliances or transportation. A short screening decides what you can get.

Is it only food?

No. The same Medicaid benefit that covers food also covers housing support, cooking supplies, appliances such as a refrigerator or microwave, and transportation. A short screening decides what you can get.

Does it cost anything?

If you are approved, there is no cost to you. It does not lower your SNAP, WIC or other benefits.

Should I send a photo of my card?

No. Please do not post or send your card numbers through this website. We will ask for what we need by phone, in private.

Where do you deliver?

We deliver in Brooklyn, Queens and Manhattan.

Next step

Let us check for you

Fill in our short form, or call us. We will check your coverage and tell you what you may be able to get.

See if you qualify Call 718-737-2252

Or email info@mbd.care. Please don’t include card numbers in emails.