Health Care

Image of a health coverage form and pen.
People with disabilities, nationally and in New York State, have higher rates of health insurance coverage compared to people without disabilities. Because of eligibility, a high rate of poverty, or an inability to work, people with disabilities are more likely to be covered by public insurance – Medicaid or Medicare. They are also less likely to have private insurance coverage because of the design of insurance benefits and networks.
 
CIDNY can help you with your health insurance and access to medical care. We have experienced benefits counselors and health care advocates available who can discuss your public and private health insurance options. We can help you: apply, obtain, or recertify for coverage; appeal denials of care or solve problems; navigate your coverage and the insurance marketplace.  
 
To get help, call us at 212-674-2300.

Other

ACA Preventative Services Fact Sheet

For help with replacement wheelchairs and loaner wheelchairs and other durable medical equipment, information about where to donate used medical equipment and donate used wheelchairs, please see:

Durable Medical Equipment Fact Sheet

 

Call the EPIC Helpline at 1-800/332-3742 (TTY 1-800/290-9138) or contact a CIDNY benefits counselor for help filling out this form.

EPIC Application (Spanish) (Chinese) – download, print, and mail in

 

EPIC Fact Sheet

Medicaid Fact Sheet

Medicaid Buy-In Fact Sheet

Medicaid Spend Down Fact Sheet

 

Community Health Advocates (CHA)

CIDNY is one of the CHA agencies. We help New Yorkers find health insurance and understand their health coverage. By providing one-on-one assistance, we can help you resolve billing issues and navigate the health care system so that you can access the care you need. For more information, contact CIDNY and ask to speak to a benefits counselor.

Independent Consumer Advocacy Network (ICAN)

ICAN is the New York State Ombudsprogram for people with Medicaid who need long term care services. CIDNY is part of the ICAN network and the exclusive agency for FIDA-IDD. We help New Yorkers with enrolling in and using Medicaid managed care plans that cover long-term care services such as home attendant services or nursing home care. We can help you by answering questions about long-term care and giving you information about your health insurance options like the FIDA program or FIDA-IDD program (for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities).  We can also work with you to help you decide what plan is right for you. If you already have a plan, we can help you solve problems with your managed care plans or providers and use negotiation or formal appeal processes. For more information, call CIDNY and ask to speak to an ICAN counselor.