Medicare Advantage Plans in New York (2026 Plan Guide)

Medicare Advantage plans offer the same benefits as Original Medicare, along with additional coverage, such as prescription drug (Part D) coverage. When evaluating Medicare Advantage (Part C) plans in New York, it’s important to understand the total cost. According to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), you must continue to pay the mandatory standard Original Medicare Part B premium of $202.90. However, many private plans offer a $0 premium option to help offset this expense.

What is a Medicare Advantage plan in New York?

Medicare Advantage plans (also known as Medicare Part C) are an all-in-one alternative to Original Medicare. These plans are offered by private insurance companies that are approved and regulated by Medicare. Instead of the federal government directly managing your benefits, these private insurers handle your benefits through their own dedicated provider networks.

The type of plan network that works best for you often depends on where you live in the Empire State:

• Health Maintenance Organizations (HMOs): HMO plans are common in dense, downstate metropolitan markets such as New York City. They generally require you to see doctors within a specific network and get referrals from a primary care provider (PCP) to see specialists. This structure helps keep out-of-pocket costs lower.

• Preferred Provider Organizations (PPOs): Across upstate New York counties, PPO frameworks are common. Because medical providers are more geographically spread out, upstate residents favor the flexibility of PPOs, which allow you to see out-of-network specialists without a strict primary care referral.

For free guidance on New York Medicare plans, you can connect with the Health Insurance Information, Counseling and Assistance Program (HIICAP), a state program administered by the New York State Office for the Aging.

Popular Medicare Advantage Carriers Available in New York

Source: CMS Part C and D Performance Data  

Plan Availability by Top New York Counties

Because Medicare Advantage plans are managed by private insurance companies, plan availability depends entirely on where you live. Carrier networks, annual deductibles, and extra wellness benefits—such as dental, vision, and fitness allowances—vary significantly by your specific zip code.

Here’s how the Medicare landscape looks across New York's high-population regions.

• Kings County (Brooklyn) and Queens County: Beneficiaries in these dense municipal areas benefit from a competitive insurance market featuring HMO networks and a wide selection of Dual-Eligible Special Needs Plans (D-SNPs) (tailored for those who qualify for both Medicare and Medicaid).

• Erie County (Buffalo): The landscape in Western New York is driven by prominent regional carrier footprints. Medicare options here are shaped by established, regional preferred provider networks that connect local hospitals and healthcare systems.

• Suffolk and Nassau Counties (Long Island): Beneficiaries in this area often look for specialized hybrid coverage tiers. These plans are designed to balance localized care options with flexible access to major medical networks across the broader New York metropolitan area.

Disclaimer: Medicare Advantage plan availability, premiums, and provider networks in New York vary by county and ZIP code. County-level descriptions are based on general Medicare market trends, population distribution, and typical rural vs. urban plan availability patterns. Actual plan options and benefits are determined by each insurance carrier and may change annually. 

2026-2027 New York Medicare Enrollment Periods

To avoid gaps in care or potential late-enrollment penalties, keep these three key enrollment windows on your radar:

• Annual Enrollment Period (AEP) | October 15 to December 7: This is the main window for Medicare beneficiaries to make coverage changes. During this time, you can switch from Original Medicare to a Medicare Advantage plan, change from one Medicare Advantage plan to another, or adjust your standalone Part D prescription drug coverage. Any choices you make during AEP go into effect on January 1 of the following year.

• Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period (OEP) | January 1 to March 31: If you are already enrolled in a Medicare Advantage plan as of January 1, this dedicated winter window gives you the opportunity to make a one-time coverage change. During the OEP, you can switch to a different Medicare Advantage plan or drop your Advantage plan entirely to return to Original Medicare (with the option to add a standalone Part D prescription drug plan).

• Special Enrollment Period (SEP) | Occurs Based on Qualifying Events: When certain life changes happen, a Special Enrollment Period allows you to adjust your coverage outside of standard enrollment dates. For New Yorkers, common qualifying triggers include:

  • Relocating: Moving to a completely different New York county or relocating into or out of the state, which changes your localized plan options.

  • Losing Existing Coverage: Transitioning out of an employer-sponsored health plan, retiring, or losing union-sponsored benefits.

  • Qualifying for Extra Assistance: Gaining or losing eligibility for state Medicaid or the federal Extra Help program, which assists with prescription drug costs.

Compare Medicare Supplement Plans in New York

If you prefer predictable out-of-pocket costs and want to avoid standard network restrictions, a Medicare Advantage plan might not be the right fit. Instead, you may want to look into . Also known as Medigap, these plans work alongside your Original Medicare coverage to help pay for costs like deductibles and copays. With a Medigap plan, you have nationwide access to care, meaning you can see any doctor or specialist in the country who accepts Medicare with no network restrictions or referral requirements. Be aware that you can’t be enrolled in a Medigap plan and a Medicare Advantage plan at the same time. You must choose one or the other.

Why choose SelectQuote for New York Medicare plans?

With more than 40 years of experience helping beneficiaries navigate their healthcare options, SelectQuote simplifies your insurance search. Our licensed insurance agents handle the heavy lifting for you, comparing plans from a dozen highly recognized insurance carriers in just minutes. We provide objective, clear comparisons so you can make an informed choice with confidence.

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• Localized Support: Our agents understand the nuances of the New York market, ensuring your plan choice aligns with your local hospital systems and regional coverage rules.