Health Coverage If You Have Cancer in NY, NJ and CT

Each state has a path to full Medicaid for people diagnosed through its free screening program. It is the fastest route to coverage after a diagnosis, so if you have not been screened yet, our free cancer screening guide is the place to start.

The Medicaid Cancer Treatment Program (MCTP) gives full Medicaid coverage to eligible people who need treatment for breast, cervical, colorectal or prostate cancer, and in some cases pre-cancerous conditions. Coverage lasts as long as you need cancer treatment, includes medications, and is recertified each year. It covers you only, not your family, and you must use Medicaid-enrolled providers. You enroll through a Cancer Services Program provider, not the local social services office.

• Breast and cervical cancer: screened and diagnosed by a New York-licensed provider, no other coverage for the treatment, in need of treatment, a New York resident, and a U.S. citizen or a non-citizen with satisfactory immigration status.
• Colorectal and prostate cancer: screened or diagnosed by a Cancer Services Program provider, under 65, income at or below 250% of the federal poverty level when you apply, no other coverage, a New York resident, and a citizen or a non-citizen with satisfactory immigration status.

Start by calling the Cancer Services Program at 1-866-442-2262. The Medicaid Help Line is 1-800-541-2831.

New Jersey gives full Medicaid benefits to uninsured women under 65 who are diagnosed with breast or cervical cancer and need treatment, after screening through NJCEED. The rules in the newest state notice we could find: income at or below 250% of the poverty level with no asset test, not eligible for other Medicaid, a New Jersey resident, and a U.S. citizen or qualified non-citizen. The NJCEED site starts the process, with no separate application, and coverage continues until you no longer need treatment. That notice dates from 2012, so confirm the current rules with NJCEED at 1-800-328-3838 (press 3).

Connecticut gives full Medicaid benefits to eligible women who need treatment for breast or cervical cancer: at or below 250% of the poverty level, under 65, without private insurance that covers the treatment, and a citizen or qualified non-citizen. Eligibility is decided through qualified health departments, hospitals and clinics tied to the state's breast and cervical cancer screening program. The Department of Public Health program line is 860-509-7804.

• Medicaid: for adults 19 to 64 with 2026 income up to $22,025 a year for one person, $29,864 for two, $37,702 for three or $45,540 for four. It covers hospital and outpatient care, clinic visits, labs and X-rays, medicines and rides to appointments, with no monthly premium and no more than $200 a year in copays. You can enroll any time through NY State of Health, and Medicaid can help with some past medical bills.
• Essential Plan: a $0 premium plan with no deductible that covers hospital care, prescriptions, dental and vision, for New York residents 19 to 64 who are lawfully present, not eligible for Medicaid, and without other coverage. In 2026 the income limit is $31,920 for one person, $43,280 for two, $54,640 for three and $66,000 for four. Below $23,940 for one person, primary care, specialist visits and hospital stays cost $0. Enroll any time at 1-855-355-5777.
• What changed July 1, 2026: because of federal funding cuts, people between 200% and 250% of the poverty level (about $31,920 to $39,900 for one person) lost the Essential Plan. Non-pregnant DACA recipients earning over $22,024 lost it June 30, 2026. If that was you, a marketplace plan with federal tax credits may be the next option: the state's own example is a New York City adult earning $35,910 who pays $230 a month for a benchmark Silver plan after a $637 credit.
• NYC Care: for New Yorkers in the five boroughs who cannot get insurance. It offers care at NYC Health + Hospitals on a sliding scale from $0, with no premiums, and does not ask about immigration status. Its listed services include a primary care doctor, prescriptions and cancer screenings, and it lists specialty care. Ask NYC Care what your cancer treatment would cost before you count on it. Call 646-NYC-CARE (646-692-2273).

• NJ FamilyCare (Medicaid): for adults 19 to 64 with income up to 138% of the poverty level, about $1,836 a month for one person or $2,489 for a couple. Children under 19 qualify up to 355% of poverty regardless of immigration status, and pregnant people up to 205%. Call 1-800-701-0710 (TTY 711).
• Immigration rules since October 1, 2026: non-citizen adults are generally limited to lawful permanent residents of five years or more, plus specific listed groups. The state says people whose status is not listed are still welcome to apply, and translators are available.
• Emergency care: the Medical Emergency Payment Program covers emergency services, including labor and delivery, for residents 19 and older who do not meet NJ FamilyCare's immigration rules.
• Hospital bills: if you are uninsured, Charity Care can cut or erase hospital bills. Our colonoscopy guide has the income tiers.

• HUSKY D (Medicaid): for residents 19 to 64 without dependent children who are not on Medicare or pregnant, with income under $22,025 a year for one person, $29,863 for two, $37,702 for three or $45,540 for four (limits effective March 1, 2026, updated every March 1). There is currently no asset limit. Apply through Access Health CT or by phone at 1-855-805-4325.
• HUSKY A for parents and caregivers: income under $29,863 for a family of two, $37,702 for three or $45,540 for four.
• Covered Connecticut: free health and dental coverage for residents 19 to 64 with income up to 175% of poverty who earn too much for HUSKY and enroll in a Silver plan on Access Health CT. The 2026 limits are $27,387.50 for one person and $37,012.50 for two.
• Emergency Medicaid: HUSKY Limited Benefit covers emergency treatment for residents who meet every Medicaid rule except immigration status. It does not cover routine or ongoing care.
• Immigration rules since October 1, 2026: refugees, asylees, trafficking survivors and humanitarian parolees are no longer eligible for HUSKY Health. Lawful permanent residents of five years or more may still qualify.

New federal rules add work requirements for some adults 19 to 64 on Medicaid. In New York, some adults will also need to renew every six months instead of once a year, and Medicaid will not reach as far back to cover past bills. In Connecticut, HUSKY D members will need $580 a month in income or 80 hours of work, service, training or half-time school, unless an exemption applies. New Jersey says that under the same federal law, some adults will have to work, volunteer or go to school and renew every six months; check NJ FamilyCare for its start date.

If you are in cancer treatment, look at the exemptions. New York exempts people diagnosed with a physical or mental health condition that makes it hard to work. Connecticut exempts people who are medically frail or were recently hospital inpatients, among others. If you are in treatment, ask your Medicaid office whether an exemption applies to you before your renewal.

In Connecticut, Community Action Agencies give free one-on-one help keeping HUSKY, including Community Renewal Team in Hartford, the Community Action Agency of New Haven and the Alliance for Community Empowerment in Bridgeport.