By Paul Barrett, CMIP | The Modern Medicare Agency | Melville, NY 18+ years Medicare-exclusive experience | Licensed in 37 states | 40+ carriers Last updated: July 2026
Brooklyn has one of the densest, most complicated Medicare markets in the country — competing hospital systems, dozens of carriers, and right now, a real network dispute that could affect thousands of local members. This page is the starting point for making sense of all of it: clear tables, honest comparisons, and a direct answer to whatever question brought you here.
I’m independent — I represent more than 40 carriers, so nothing here is written to steer you toward one company. It’s written so you can see the whole picture clearly.
CRITICAL NETWORK WARNING: UNITEDHEALTHCARE AND NEWYORK-PRESBYTERIAN
This affects real people right now, so it comes first. UnitedHealthcare and NewYork-Presbyterian are in active contract negotiations. In-network access for most UnitedHealthcare Medicare Advantage members at NewYork-Presbyterian hospitals and Medical Group practices (including ColumbiaDoctors and Weill Cornell Medicine) has been extended through July 31, 2026. If a new agreement isn’t reached, NYP facilities become out-of-network for most UnitedHealthcare Medicare Advantage members starting August 1, 2026.
If this affects you, a network exit like this can qualify you for a Special Enrollment Period — meaning you don’t necessarily have to wait for the next Annual Enrollment Period to switch plans.
WHAT IS MEDICARE? THE BASICS
| Part | What It Covers | What You Pay in 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| Part A | Hospital stays, skilled nursing, hospice | Usually $0 premium if you worked 10+ years; $1,736 deductible per benefit period |
| Part B | Doctor visits, outpatient care, preventive services | $202.90/month premium; $283 annual deductible |
| Part C (Medicare Advantage) | An alternative way to get Parts A & B (and usually D) through a private carrier | Varies by plan — often $0 |
| Part D | Prescription drug coverage | Varies by plan; $2,100 out-of-pocket cap in 2026 |
You become eligible for Medicare at 65 (or earlier with certain disabilities), with a 7-month Initial Enrollment Period — 3 months before your birthday month, your birthday month, and 3 months after.
WHICH PATH IS RIGHT FOR YOU?
| Feature | Original Medicare + Medigap + Part D | Medicare Advantage |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly cost | Higher (Medigap + Part D premiums) | Often $0–$100 |
| Doctor network | Any doctor nationwide who accepts Medicare | Limited to the plan's network |
| Referrals needed? | Never | Usually, with HMOs |
| Network risk | None | Real — see the UHC/NYP warning above |
| Extra benefits (dental, vision, hearing) | Not included | Often included |
| Best for | Anyone who wants zero network worries, or is watching the UHC/NYP situation nervously | Healthy, cost-conscious people comfortable with a network |
BROOKLYN'S HOSPITAL LANDSCAPE
Brooklyn residents typically draw on some combination of these major systems, each with its own character and its own carrier relationships:
NewYork-Presbyterian Brooklyn Methodist — part of the NYP system, currently in the UnitedHealthcare contract dispute described above
NYU Langone Hospital—Brooklyn — part of the NYU Langone system; does not participate with UnitedHealthcare’s Community Plan products, and UHC’s Core, Charter, and Compass lines are also non-participating here
Maimonides Medical Center — South Brooklyn’s major safety-net hospital (Borough Park, Bensonhurst, Sunset Park), currently merging into NYC Health + Hospitals, the city’s public system
Mount Sinai Brooklyn — part of the broader Mount Sinai Health System
SUNY Downstate / University Hospital of Brooklyn — an academic medical center in East Flatbush
NYC Health + Hospitals/Kings County — the borough’s major public hospital
Because so many overlapping systems serve Brooklyn, which hospital your doctors use often matters more than which carrier has the biggest ad budget.
Neighborhood-to-hospital quick reference:
| Brooklyn Area | Hospital System Most Likely to Serve You |
|---|---|
| Park Slope, Cobble Hill, Downtown Brooklyn | NewYork-Presbyterian Brooklyn Methodist |
| Sunset Park, Borough Park, Bensonhurst | Maimonides Medical Center (now part of NYC Health + Hospitals) |
| Williamsburg, Greenpoint | NYU Langone Hospital—Brooklyn |
| East Flatbush, Flatbush | SUNY Downstate / University Hospital of Brooklyn |
| Bay Ridge, Dyker Heights | NYU Langone Hospital—Brooklyn, Maimonides |
| Sheepshead Bay, Coney Island, Brighton Beach | Mount Sinai Brooklyn, Maimonides |
This is a general guide, not a guarantee — always confirm your specific doctor’s hospital affiliation directly rather than assuming based on neighborhood alone. We’re building out dedicated neighborhood guides for Brooklyn; check back or ask us directly if you don’t see your area covered yet.
MEDICARE ADVANTAGE IN BROOKLYN: FAST FACTS
| What You're Looking At | The 2026 Number |
|---|---|
| Standard (non-SNP) Medicare Advantage plans | 38 |
| Insurance companies offering standard plans | 12 |
| Plans with a $0 monthly premium | 15 |
| Average premium (for plans that charge one) | $33.81/month |
| Average out-of-pocket maximum | $8,693.42/year |
| Plans rated 4 stars or higher | 11 |
| Medicare Advantage enrollment rate in Brooklyn | 57.61% of eligible beneficiaries |
The 12 carriers offering standard Medicare Advantage plans in Brooklyn:
| Carrier | Known For |
|---|---|
| Healthfirst | NY-based, not-for-profit feel, among the highest star ratings in Brooklyn (up to 4.5) |
| Aetna | Strong PPO presence, several 4.5-star plans |
| EmblemHealth | Long-standing NYC carrier, VIP Gold plans rated 4.0 stars |
| Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield | Includes 5-star Veteran-focused plans |
| UnitedHealthcare | AARP-branded plans; currently in the NYP network dispute above |
| Humana | Several Giveback plans reducing your Part B premium |
| MetroPlus | Affiliated with NYC Health + Hospitals and CityMD |
| VillageCareMAX | Smaller NYC-based nonprofit option |
| Elderplan | Deep roots serving dual Medicare/Medicaid populations |
| VNS Health | NYC-focused, strong in home and community-based care |
| Wellcare | Budget-focused, multiple Giveback options |
| HealthSpring | National carrier with select Brooklyn PPO plans |
Full breakdown of all 38 plans, every premium, and every star rating: Medicare Advantage Plans in Brooklyn, NY: The Complete 2026 Guide
SPECIAL NEEDS PLANS (SNP): A SEPARATE, IMPORTANT CATEGORY
Beyond the 38 standard plans above, Brooklyn has 41 additional Special Needs Plans serving specific populations:
| SNP Type | Who Qualifies | Plans Available | Total Enrolled |
|---|---|---|---|
| D-SNP (Dual Eligible) | Qualify for both Medicare and Medicaid | 34 | 141,831 |
| I-SNP (Institutional) | Live in long-term care, or need equivalent care at home | 6 | 1,424 |
| C-SNP (Chronic Condition) | Have a qualifying severe chronic condition | 1 | 971 |
Worth knowing: Healthfirst’s Life Improvement Plan alone has 49,378 enrollees — more than most entire carriers combined — making Healthfirst Brooklyn’s dominant SNP carrier by a wide margin. Dual-eligible members also get a real advantage most people don’t know about: a Special Enrollment Period allowing a plan change once per month, year-round, instead of being limited to the Annual Enrollment Period.
Full guide, including real plan names and a note on 2026’s OTC/food/utility benefit changes: Special Needs Plans (D-SNP, C-SNP, I-SNP) in Brooklyn, NY
MEDIGAP IN BROOKLYN: NEW YORK'S REAL ADVANTAGE
Every carrier and plan above asks you to weigh some kind of network trade-off. Medigap sidesteps that conversation entirely — and New York gives you a genuine, meaningful edge here that most states don’t: guaranteed-issue, community-rated Medigap coverage on a continuous, year-round basis, not just during a single 6-month window.
Real 2026 rates for Brooklyn (NYC Proper region), direct from NY State’s official filing. Plan N is actually New York’s most popular Medigap choice (28.59% of enrollees), so it’s shown here alongside Plan G (18.19% of enrollees):
Plan G (most comprehensive):
| Carrier | Monthly Premium |
|---|---|
| UnitedHealthcare (AARP Program) | $372.50 |
| Aetna Life Insurance | $406.26 |
| EmblemHealth | $432.09 |
| Mutual of Omaha | $511.36 |
| Humana | $647.27 |
| Bankers Conseco | $840.28 |
Plan N (New York’s most popular Medigap plan — lower premium, small copays):
| Carrier | Monthly Premium |
|---|---|
| UnitedHealthcare (AARP Program) | $299.00 |
| EmblemHealth | $314.77 |
| Transamerica Financial | $417.31 |
| Humana | $458.83 |
| Bankers Conseco | $523.54 |
Notice the spread: identical, federally standardized coverage costs more than double depending only on which carrier you pick — true for both plans.
Full guide, every plan letter explained, and rates for Plan A, G, High Deductible G, and N: Medicare Supplement (Medigap) Plans in Brooklyn, NY
MEDIGAP IN BROOKLYN: NEW YORK'S REAL ADVANTAGE
Brooklyn’s Medicare market reflects the borough’s genuine cultural diversity in ways worth knowing about. MetroPlus, affiliated with NYC Health + Hospitals, includes CityMD urgent care sites in its network — useful if you already use the public hospital system. Hamaspik Medicare Choice and Hamaspik Medicare Select are carriers built specifically to serve the Orthodox Jewish community. If cultural or language-specific care coordination matters to you or a family member, it’s worth asking about directly rather than assuming a big national name is automatically the better fit.
KEY 2026 NUMBERS AT A GLANCE
| Number | 2026 Figure |
|---|---|
| Standard Part B premium | $202.90/month |
| Part B annual deductible | $283 |
| Part A deductible (per benefit period) | $1,736 |
| Skilled nursing facility coinsurance | $217/day |
| Part D out-of-pocket cap | $2,100/year |
| Medigap Plan K out-of-pocket limit | $8,000 |
| Medigap Plan L out-of-pocket limit | $4,000 |
| Annual Enrollment Period | Oct 15 – Dec 7 |
| MA Open Enrollment Period | Jan 1 – Mar 31 |
| NY Medigap guaranteed-issue window | Continuous, year-round |
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
What’s the best Medicare plan in Brooklyn?
There isn’t one universal answer — it depends on your doctors, your hospital system, your health needs, and whether network flexibility or lower monthly cost matters more to you. Use the tables above as your starting point, then dig into the specific guide that matches your situation.
Will I lose my doctor if UnitedHealthcare and NewYork-Presbyterian don’t reach an agreement?
If no new agreement is reached by July 31, 2026, NewYork-Presbyterian hospitals and practices become out-of-network for most UnitedHealthcare Medicare Advantage members starting August 1, 2026. This can qualify affected members for a Special Enrollment Period.
Should I choose Medicare Advantage or Medigap in Brooklyn?
Medicare Advantage often costs less monthly and includes extra benefits, but ties you to a network — a real concern given the current UnitedHealthcare/NYP situation. Medigap costs more monthly but removes network risk entirely, and New York’s guaranteed-issue rule makes it more accessible here than in most states.
Do I qualify for a Special Needs Plan in Brooklyn?
D-SNPs require dual Medicare/Medicaid eligibility, C-SNPs require a qualifying chronic condition, and I-SNPs require long-term care facility residence or an equivalent level of care. Brooklyn has 41 SNP options across these three categories.
Why do Medicare options differ so much across Brooklyn?
Different neighborhoods lean toward different hospital systems — NewYork-Presbyterian Brooklyn Methodist, NYU Langone Brooklyn, Maimonides, Mount Sinai Brooklyn, and SUNY Downstate all have different carrier relationships, so which plan works best can depend on your specific doctors as much as the carrier’s overall reputation.
Want a real answer for your specific doctors, prescriptions, and hospital — not a generic recommendation?
Call or text 631-358-5793. No pressure, no cost, just an honest conversation.
THE FULL BROOKLYN CLUSTER
Coming next in this cluster: a full honest review of Healthfirst, Brooklyn’s dominant carrier — strengths, weaknesses, and who it’s genuinely right for, the same way we’ve reviewed carriers in other markets. We’re also planning dedicated neighborhood guides for Park Slope, Bay Ridge, Borough Park, and Sheepshead Bay.
SOURCES
- New York State Department of Financial Services — Medicare Supplement Insurance Rate Plans (June 2026)
- NewYork-Presbyterian — UnitedHealthcare In-Network Coverage Changes
- Medicare.org — Medicare Special Needs Plans, Kings County, NY
- CMS.gov — 2026 Plan K & L Out-of-Pocket Limits
- Medicare.gov Plan Finder
The Modern Medicare Agency 445 Broad Hollow Rd, Melville, NY 11747 Phone: 631-358-5793
We do not offer every plan available in your area. Any information we provide is limited to those plans we do offer in your area. Please contact Medicare.gov or 1-800-MEDICARE to get information on all of your options.
