To enroll in HomeFirst, a managed long-term care plan (MLTCP), you must:
Step One: Establish Eligibility
To be eligible to enroll, you must meet the following criteria:
- Be 18 or older
- Qualify for Medicaid
- Live in one of the five boroughs of NYC, Dutchess, Nassau, Orange, Putnam, Rockland, Sullivan, Ulster or Westchester counties.
- Be able to remain at home without jeopardy to health and safety.
- Need continuous community-based long-term care services for more than 120 days (e.g., in-home nursing, therapies, home aide, personal care, Consumer Directed Personal Assistance Services, private duty nursing, or Adult Day health care)
Step Two: Contact HomeFirst
Once you have established eligibility, your next step is to contact HomeFirst. We are available Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. at 1-866-386-4177. Our Enrollment Representative will confirm that you meet the eligibility requirements listed above and help you determine if you require an assessment completed by the New York Independent Assessor Program (NYIAP).
Our Enrollment Representative can connect you with the NYIAP as needed, or you can call directly to 1‑855‑222‑8350, TTY 1‑888‑329‑1546.
Step Three: Review Assessment & Develop a Plan of Care
If you meet eligibility requirements based on age, geographical location of residence, Medicaid eligibility, and the NYIAP assessment (if required), our Enrollment Representative will schedule a HomeFirst nurse to contact you. The nurse will review your assessment and develop a plan of care with you.
Step Four: Membership Begins
Enrollment is a voluntary process, and you have the freedom to choose when to begin your membership. The enrollment submission deadline for the following month is the 20th of every month or the nearest business day if the 20th falls on a weekend or holiday. Your membership will commence on the first day of the month after your enrollment is processed and approved. Remember, you can withdraw your enrollment at any time, giving you full control over your health care decisions.
HomeFirst receives a set monthly payment from Medicaid to cover enrollment services. It’s important to note that services not part of HomeFirst benefits continue to be covered by the fee-for-service Medicaid and Medicare. All services are coordinated, even those not included in the MLTCP benefit package.
HomeFirst is a product of Elderplan, which offers a variety of affordable health plans for Medicare, Medicaid and dual-eligible recipients at every level of health. Elderplan is a health plan with Medicare and Medicaid contracts.
If you are new to Managed Long-Term Care plans and would like to know if you are eligible to enroll, please contact the
New York Independent Assessor Program (NYIAP) at 1-855-222-8350
(TTY: 1-888-329-1541).
