Renew Your MetroPlus Medicaid Before Your Coverage Ends

MetroPlus Medicaid coverage must be renewed every 12 months. You will receive a renewal notice in the mail 60 days before your coverage ends — this is your signal to act. If you do not renew by your end date, your coverage stops and you will have a gap in health insurance until you complete the renewal process.

The renewal itself takes about 15 minutes if you have your documents ready. You can renew online through the New York State Department of Health website, by mail, by phone, or in person at a local office. MetroPlus will not renew you automatically — you must take one of these steps yourself.

Key Takeaways

  • MetroPlus sends a renewal notice 60 days before your coverage ends; check your mail for this notice and note the deadline date.
  • You can renew online at the New York State Department of Health portal, by phone at 1-888-NYMEDICAID, by mail, or in person at a local office.
  • Have your Social Security number, current income information, and household details ready before you start the renewal process.
  • If your income or household has changed, report it during renewal — this may change your coverage level or cost-sharing amounts.
  • If you miss the deadline, your coverage will end, but you can still renew after that date; there is no penalty for late renewal.

What Documents You Need to Renew

Gather these items before you begin renewal, whether you renew online, by phone, or by mail. You will need to verify your identity, income, and household composition.

For identity: bring your Social Security number or a document that shows it (Social Security card, tax return, W-2). For income: bring recent pay stubs (last 30 days), a letter from your employer showing your salary, or tax returns from the past year. If you are self-employed, bring profit-and-loss statements or business tax returns. If you receive benefits, bring award letters from Social Security, unemployment, or other programs.

For household: list everyone living with you, their relationship to you, and their income if they have any. If anyone in your household is not a U.S. citizen, have their immigration documents ready (green card, work permit, visa, or passport). If you have a child under 19, you may need to show proof of school enrollment or age.

Renewing Online Through the State Portal

Online renewal is the fastest route and available 24 hours a day. Go to mybenefits.ny.gov and log in with your username and password. If you do not have an account, create one using your email address and a password you choose.

Once logged in, look for the "Renew" or "Renewal" button on your dashboard. Answer the questions about your current household, income, and living situation. The system will tell you right away whether your income still qualifies you for MetroPlus coverage and what your new cost-sharing amounts will be (copays, deductibles). Submit your application and print or save the confirmation page.

The state will send you a new coverage card in the mail within 10 to 14 days if you are approved. If the system asks for documents you do not have immediately, you can upload them later through the same portal, but do this within 10 days to avoid delays.

Renewing by Phone or Mail

If you prefer not to use the online portal, call 1-888-NYMEDICAID (1-888-696-3242) to renew by phone. A representative will ask the same questions as the online form: your household size, income, and any changes since your last renewal. The call usually takes 20 to 30 minutes. Ask the representative to mail you a confirmation number or email address where you can check your status.

To renew by mail, wait for your renewal notice to arrive, then fill out the form that comes with it and mail it back in the envelope provided. Include copies (not originals) of your income documents. Mail it at least two weeks before your coverage end date to allow time for processing. Keep a copy for your records.

Renewal by mail takes longer — typically 3 to 4 weeks — so use this method only if you cannot renew online or by phone before your deadline.

What Happens If Your Income or Household Changed

Report any changes during renewal. If your income went up, you may no longer may have access to for MetroPlus Medicaid; the state will tell you this during the renewal process and may move you to a different plan or off Medicaid entirely. If your income went down, your cost-sharing amounts (copays and deductibles) may decrease.

If your household size changed — someone moved in or out, you had a baby, or someone died — report this. Each person in your household counts toward your income limit. If you got married or divorced, report that too, because it affects how your household income is counted.

If you do not report changes and the state later discovers them, they may ask you to repay benefits you received while ineligible. It is better to report changes during renewal than to wait and have them discovered later.

What to Do If You Miss the Renewal Deadline

If your coverage end date passes and you have not renewed, your MetroPlus Medicaid stops. You will have no health insurance coverage starting the day after your end date. However, you can still renew after this date — there is no penalty or waiting period.

Renew as soon as you realize you missed the deadline. Go to mybenefits.ny.gov, call 1-888-NYMEDICAID, or visit a local office. When you renew, your new coverage will start on the first day of the month after the state approves your renewal. This means there may be a gap of a few weeks or months with no coverage, depending on how long approval takes.

If you need coverage during the gap, look into temporary options: some community health centers offer sliding-scale fees based on income, and some hospitals have financial assistance programs. Do not delay renewing just because you missed the first deadline.

Where to Renew in Person

If you prefer to renew face-to-face, find your local New York State Department of Health office at health.ny.gov/health_care/medicaid/local_offices.htm. Bring all your documents (listed above) and your renewal notice. Walk-ins are accepted, but wait times vary. Some offices take appointments; call ahead to ask.

In-person renewal takes about 30 to 45 minutes. A caseworker will review your documents, ask questions, and submit your renewal on the spot. You will leave with a receipt showing your application was received. Your new coverage card will arrive by mail within 10 to 14 days.

Frequently Asked Questions

What if I do not receive a renewal notice in the mail?

Contact MetroPlus or the state to confirm your address is correct. You can still renew without the notice — go to mybenefits.ny.gov or call 1-888-NYMEDICAID and ask to renew. Have your Social Security number and member ID (on your current card) ready.

Can I renew before the 60-day notice arrives?

Yes. You can renew online or by phone anytime during your current coverage period. The state will process it and your new coverage will start on the first day of the month after approval, so there is no gap.

What if my income is irregular or I am self-employed?

Bring your most recent tax return and profit-and-loss statement. If you do not have a recent return, bring bank statements or business records showing your average monthly income over the past three months. The state will use this to determine your current income level.

Will my copays or deductible change after renewal?

Possibly. Your cost-sharing amounts depend on your income level. If your income changed, your copays or deductible may go up or down. The state will tell you your new amounts when you renew.

What if the state asks for more documents after I renew?

The state will send you a letter listing what they need and when to send it (usually within 10 days). Upload documents through mybenefits.ny.gov if possible, or mail them to the address on the letter. If you miss this deadline, your renewal may be denied and your coverage will end.