Medicare Advantage Plans in New York: 2026 Top Picks & Costs

The Medicare Advantage market in New York is one of the most unique in the nation, characterized by significant presence of nonprofit Medicare Advantage companies, high dual-enrollment rates and special regulatory conditions. Almost 20% of New Yorkers are over the age of 65, which means there is significant demand for Medicare coverage. The number of Medicare Advantage plans available in New York is projected to decline from 241 plans in 2025 to 218 plans in 2026. Average monthly premiums rose slightly to $40.49 from $39.59 in 2025, but every New Yorker who is eligible for Medicare is able to find at least one plan with a $0 premium. In 2026, the state has two carriers with 5-star ratings: Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield, and Independent Health, while CDPHP, Healthfirst Medicare Plan and other carriers rate at 4.5-star. The market in New York City is especially “clumpy.” In New York County (Manhattan), 35 MA plans provide about 39,722 beneficiaries, with the Healthfirst 65 Plus Plan the top performing HMO with 6,680 health plans, followed by AARP Medicare Advantage plan from UnitedHealthcare with 5,920 beneficiaries (PPO), and Aetna Medicare Elite plan with 5,374 beneficiaries (PPO). With New York's population of eligible Medicare beneficiaries, the market for Dual Eligible Special Needs Plans (D-SNPs) in the state is also strong. There are specialized D-SNP options available from EmblemHealth, Healthfirst, MetroPlus Health Plan, and VNS Health Medicare. EmblemHealth became a Prime Therapeutics PBM in 2026, and preferred retail pharmacy networks were a thing of the past across the industry.

This guide covers Medicare Advantage plans available in New York in 2026, the best Medicare Advantage carriers, Medicare Advantage costs, and Medicare dual eligibility. Data is sourced from Medicare.gov, CMS, J.D. Power and New York State Department of Financial Services. 

The New York Medicare Advantage market

The Medicare Advantage market for New York is unique in terms of its demographics and healthcare systems. Companies such as nonprofits like Healthfirst, EmblemHealth, MVP Health Care, Excellus BlueCross BlueShield, MetroPlus Health Plan, and Independent Health have strong regional presence.

The decrease in 2026 is moderate relative to other states (218 plans down from 241). There was a lot of merging among the major carriers, and it was a lot more pronounced in New York City, where there is a lot of competition.

Availability of plans is very location-specific. The deepest plan menus are in New York City (5 boroughs), Long Island (Nassau and Suffolk counties) and Westchester County. There are good but more limited choices in Upstate New York (Albany, Buffalo, Rochester, Syracuse metropolitan areas). There might be fewer plans in rural counties in the North Country and Southern Tier.

The most prevalent Medicare Advantage plans in New York City are offered by EmblemHealth and Healthfirst. Excellus and MVP are the top rated companies in Upstate New York. Independent Health is a provider to Western New York. The Capital Region is served by CDPHP and MVP.

See our Medicare guide for an overview of Medicare. 

Top New York carriers and plans

Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield is rated a 5-star CMS plan in New York on 2026, the best possible category. Anthem has wide provider participation and networks throughout the state.

Another Buffalo-based nonprofit, Independent Health, is also 5-star. Independent Health has a strong presence in Western New York.

Healthfirst Medicare Plan, a nonprofit based in New York City, scores 4.5 stars and 617 J.D. Power points. Healthfirst is especially favored by low income and those who are dual-eligible New York City residents. Healthfirst 65 Plus Plan is the top NYC HMO for Manhattan with 6,680 HMO members.

An NYC-based nonprofit, EmblemHealth receives a score of 4 stars. With an extensive 24-county service area that includes all 5 boroughs of NYC and surrounding counties, EmblemHealth serves a very large population. In 2026, EmblemHealth switched to Prime Therapeutics as its PBM, and increased access to the pharmacy network. EmblemHealth offers VIP Premier and VIP Dual Enhanced (D-SNP) plans.

Based in Albany, CDPHP Medicare Advantage earns a 4.5-star rating and has good network depth throughout the Capital Region.

Excellus BlueCross BlueShield, the largest Upstate NY carrier, covers most of Upstate with broad PPO networks.

MVP Health Care, a regional nonprofit, provides HMO and PPO coverage in the Hudson Valley, Capital Region and Western NY.

MetroPlus Health Plan is a Medicaid and Medicare plan that provides D-SNP plans and integrated care to NYC Medicaid and Medicare beneficiaries.

UnitedHealthcare (AARP) provides extensive PPO networks throughout New York, and is a great choice for AARP Medicare Advantage NY-0012 PPO plans.

Aetna Medicare Elite has a competitive PPO in some parts of NYC.

VNS Health Medicare and VillageCareMAX are services for specific groups such as home based care. 

Costs and what to expect in New York

The average New York Medicare Advantage premiums are slightly above the national average but competitive. The 2026 average premium is $40.49/month, up from $39.59 in 2025.

Average $0 premium plans are readily available despite the average. In New York County (Manhattan), there are 35 plans available and 19 of them have a $0 out-of-pocket cost in addition to the Part B premium.

The major expenses for 2026 are:

Everyone enrolled in Medicare also pays a Part B premium ($202.90/month) separately to Medicare.

Plan deductibles vary. Most plans offer a $0 deductible for medical care, although some may have a deductible for drugs (Part D).

Copays and coinsurance will differ by plan. The cost of primary care is generally $0-$20, specialist care $25-$60, hospital care $300-$500 per day for the first 5-7 days.

The 2026 Part D out-of-pocket maximum is $2,100. Once you reach this, covered prescriptions will be $0.

Medicare Advantage MOOP 2026 is the maximum $9250 in-network or $13900 combined (PPO plans).

EmblemHealth 2026 example: $58.80/month premium, $615 deductible, $9,250 MOOP, 3.0 CMS stars.

See our Part B premium guide for details of Part B premiums.

Dual Eligible Special Needs Plans in New York

New York has a substantial dual-eligible population (people qualifying for both Medicare and Medicaid). D-SNP plans are designed specifically for this population.

Major New York D-SNP carriers include Healthfirst (Life Improvement Plan and CompleteCare for full Medicaid; Connection Plan for QMB), EmblemHealth (VIP Dual Enhanced, VIP Premier), MetroPlus Health Plan, VNS Health Medicare, and Wellcare.

D-SNP plans typically have $0 premiums, $0 copays for covered services, and enhanced supplemental benefits like comprehensive dental, vision, hearing, transportation, meal delivery, OTC allowances ($40-$80/month commonly), and SilverSneakers.

New 2026 changes for D-SNP eligibility may require some enrollees to change plans. Healthfirst, EmblemHealth, and others will notify affected members.

For Medicaid renewal information, see our Medicaid renewal guide.

How to choose a New York plan

Start with your existing providers. Check that your doctors, specialists, and hospital accept your chosen plan. Most NYC providers accept multiple plans, but rural areas may have more limited participation.

Consider your prescription needs. Check each plan's formulary. New 2026 changes include EmblemHealth's transition to Prime Therapeutics PBM (60,000+ pharmacies) and the end of preferred retail pharmacy networks industry-wide.

Evaluate dual-eligible status. If you have both Medicare and Medicaid, D-SNP plans typically offer better benefits and lower costs than standard Medicare Advantage.

Check CMS Star Ratings. 5-star plans (Anthem, Independent Health) and 4.5-star plans (CDPHP, Healthfirst, others) offer measurably better quality.

For Medicare enrollment periods, see our enrollment periods guide.

New York's Medicare Advantage market changes annually. Review your plan each year during Annual Enrollment (October 15-December 7) using Medicare.gov's plan finder or working with a New York-licensed Medicare broker.