2025 Essential Plan
The Essential Plan offers health insurance for eligible low-income New Yorkers who do not qualify for Medicaid or minimum essential coverage through an employer. Members in an Essential Plan have access to the Enhanced Care Prime Network.
There are five Essential Plan variants: Essential Plan 200-250, 1, 2, 3, and 4. Individuals will be enrolled in a variant based on income and other eligibility criteria.
All Essential Plan variations have no monthly premium or deductible and low or no cost-shares. See the updated 2025 Summary of Companies, Lines of Business, Networks, and Benefit Plans for details on the Essential Plan.
Benefits for members
Please share this with your staff and any patients you think may be eligible for the Essential Plan:
- No monthly premiums and annual deductibles.
- Low or no cost-shares.
- No referrals required.
- Preventive care at no cost.
- Robust network with top hospitals.
- Telemedicine at no cost with Teladoc® Primary360.
- Gym reimbursement.
- Eligible members can earn up to $200 in reimbursement per six-month period (Jan. 1 – June 30 and July 1 – Dec. 31) each calendar year if they complete 50 workouts each period.
- Wellness program.
Doula Services
Beginning April 1, 2025, EmblemHealth will cover doula services in hospital, clinic, and community settings for Essential Plan, Medicaid, and Health and Recovery Plan (HARP) members who are pregnant, birthing, and postpartum (for up to 12 months after the delivery date). For more information see Improving Health Outcomes With Doula Services.
In preparation for this new benefit, EmblemHealth is now inviting doulas to join our provider networks. If you are interested in partnering with EmblemHealth, please contact medicaidproduct@emblemhealth.com.