Independent Medicare Broker — All Five Boroughs
Medicare Agent in New York City, NY
New York City has one of the most complex Medicare markets in the country. Craig Smith is an independent Medicare agent serving all five boroughs from our Manhattan office at 260 Madison Avenue. We compare every plan available in your ZIP code — completely free.
📅 Schedule a Free ConsultationOr call Craig directly: 917-740-1895
Medicare Agent New York City NY
Finding the right Medicare plan in New York City isn't like finding one anywhere else in the country. With five boroughs, dozens of competing carriers, and some of the most prestigious hospitals in the world many of which have complex and changing network relationships with Medicare Advantage plans choosing the wrong plan can mean losing access to your doctors, your specialists, or your hospital. That's why working with an independent Medicare agent who knows the New York City market isn't just helpful it's essential.
As an independent Medicare agent in New York City, Craig Smith Insurance Group compares every Medicare Advantage, Medicare Supplement, and Part D plan available in your specific ZIP code and verifies your doctors before making any recommendation. Our Manhattan office is located at 260 Madison Avenue, 8th Floor, and we serve clients in person, by phone, and virtually.
⚠️ 2026 Medicare Advantage Network Alert — New York City
Several major Medicare Advantage carriers have experienced significant network disruptions with New York City hospital systems in 2026. If you are currently enrolled in a Medicare Advantage plan in NYC, it's worth verifying that your doctors and hospitals are still in-network. Craig Smith Insurance Group can review your current plan and compare alternatives at no cost to you. Call 917-740-1895 or schedule a free review.
Why Medicare in New York City Requires Local Expertise
New York City's Medicare market is unlike any other in the country. Several factors make it uniquely complex — and uniquely important to work with a local agent who knows the landscape:
| NYC Medicare Factor | Why It Matters |
|---|---|
| Hospital network complexity | Top NYC hospital systems including NewYork-Presbyterian, Mount Sinai, and NYU Langone have different network relationships with different Medicare Advantage carriers — and those relationships change. A local agent verifies your specific doctors before recommending any plan. |
| Plan availability varies by borough and ZIP | A plan available in Brooklyn may not be available in the Bronx. Premiums, networks, and benefits differ significantly across the five boroughs. We compare options specific to your ZIP code — not just generic NYC-wide options. |
| New York guaranteed issue rights | New York offers year-round guaranteed issue for Medigap plans, meaning insurers cannot deny you or charge more based on age or health history.This is one of the strongest consumer protections in the country and gives NYC residents far more flexibility than people in most other states. |
| High IRMAA exposure | New York City has a high concentration of higher-income Medicare beneficiaries who may be subject to IRMAA surcharges on their Part B and Part D premiums. Use our IRMAA Calculator to check whether this applies to you. |
| Most competitive MA market in the US | New York City is one of the most competitive Medicare Advantage markets in the country, with dozens of plans available in most ZIP codes. Having an independent agent compare all of them rather than calling a single carrier's 800 number gives you a significant advantage. |
What Craig Smith Insurance Group Does for NYC Clients
🔍 ZIP Code Plan Comparison
We compare every Medicare Advantage, Medigap, and Part D plan available in your specific NYC ZIP code — not just the plans one carrier offers.
👨⚕️ Doctor & Hospital Verification
We verify that your specific NYC doctors, specialists, and preferred hospitals are in-network before recommending any plan — critical in a market where network relationships change frequently.
💊 Prescription Drug Review
We compare Part D plans against your specific medication list to find the most affordable drug coverage available in your NYC borough.
📋 Enrollment & Paperwork
We handle all enrollment paperwork and make sure your coverage starts on time. In-person appointments available at 260 Madison Avenue, 8th Floor, Midtown Manhattan.
🔄 Annual Network Review
NYC Medicare Advantage networks change every year. We proactively review your plan annually to catch network changes before they affect your care.
📞 Year-Round Support
After enrollment, we remain available year-round to answer questions, address coverage concerns, and help with any issues that arise with your plan.
Medicare Advantage vs. Medigap in New York City
The choice between Medicare Advantage and Medicare Supplement (Medigap) looks different in New York City than in most other parts of the country. Several factors unique to the NYC market make this decision especially important:
Medicare Advantage in NYC
Often $0 premium and includes drug, dental, vision, and hearing benefits. However, NYC's most prestigious hospital systems have complex and changing network relationships with Advantage carriers. Before enrolling, you must verify that your specific doctors and hospitals participate in the plan's network — and understand that those networks can change at renewal.
Medigap in NYC
Higher monthly premium, but you can see any doctor who accepts Medicare nationwide no networks, no referrals, no authorization requirements. In New York, guaranteed issue rights mean you can enroll or switch Medigap plans year round without medical underwriting. For NYC residents who see top specialists, this flexibility is often worth the additional premium cost.
For a complete side-by-side comparison, see our Medicare Advantage vs. Medicare Supplement guide. For dental, vision, and hearing coverage differences, see our Does Medicare Cover Hearing Aids, Vision, and Dental? guide.
Medicare Coverage Across All Five Boroughs
| Borough | Key Medicare Consideration | Major Medical Centers |
|---|---|---|
| Manhattan | Home to many of the world's top specialists. Network participation varies significantly by plan — Medigap is often the better choice for access. | NewYork-Presbyterian, Mount Sinai, NYU Langone, Memorial Sloan Kettering |
| Brooklyn | Strong Medicare Advantage market with competitive plan options and generally broader networks than Manhattan. | NYU Langone Brooklyn, Kings County Hospital, Maimonides Medical Center |
| Queens | One of the most diverse Medicare markets in NYC — plan availability varies widely by ZIP code, and language access matters. | NewYork-Presbyterian Queens, Elmhurst Hospital, Jamaica Hospital |
| The Bronx | Montefiore Health System dominates — verifying Montefiore network participation is critical before enrolling in any Advantage plan. | Montefiore Medical Center, Lincoln Hospital, BronxCare |
| Staten Island | Smaller Medicare market with fewer plan options but competitive rates and generally stable networks. | Staten Island University Hospital, Richmond University Medical Center |
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 317+ Five-Star Google Reviews
Craig Smith Insurance Group has earned over 317 combined five-star reviews across our Manhattan and Long Island Google Business profiles. NYC clients consistently highlight Craig's deep knowledge of the local hospital networks, his patience in explaining complex plan differences, and his ability to find options they hadn't considered. Read our client reviews →
Frequently Asked Questions — Medicare Agent New York City
Why do I need a local Medicare agent in New York City?
New York City's Medicare market is uniquely complex. Hospital network relationships with Medicare Advantage plans change frequently, plan availability varies by borough and ZIP code, and New York has special Medigap protections that most states don't offer. A local agent who monitors the NYC market daily gives you a significant advantage over relying on a national call center or choosing a plan without professional guidance.
Will my NYC doctors accept my Medicare plan?
It depends on the plan and the doctor. With a Medicare Supplement (Medigap) plan, you can see any doctor who accepts Medicare nationwide — no network restrictions. With Medicare Advantage, you must verify that your specific doctors participate in that plan's network. This is especially critical in Manhattan, where network relationships between top hospital systems and Medicare Advantage carriers have been volatile. Craig verifies your specific doctors before making any recommendation.
What is New York's guaranteed issue rule for Medigap?
New York requires Medigap insurers to offer coverage to any eligible Medicare beneficiary, year-round, at the same community-rated premium regardless of age or health history. This means you can enroll in or switch a Medigap plan at any time without being denied coverage or charged more due to pre-existing conditions — a significant protection that most other states don't offer.
How much does it cost to work with a Medicare agent in NYC?
Nothing. Working with an independent Medicare agent is completely free. Craig is compensated by insurance carriers — not by clients — and your premium is identical whether you enroll through a broker or directly with the carrier. To learn more, see our guide on how Medicare brokers get paid.
Also serving nearby neighborhoods and boroughs
Craig Smith Insurance Group serves Medicare clients throughout all of New York City, including the Upper West Side and Midtown Manhattan, as well as Nassau County communities including Lake Success, Roslyn, and New Hyde Park.
Talk With a New York City Medicare Agent Today
Craig Smith Insurance Group is located at 260 Madison Avenue, 8th Floor, Manhattan. Consultations are 100% free — in person, by phone, or virtually across all five boroughs.
📅 Schedule Your Free ConsultationOr call: 917-740-1895 | craigsmith@csmedicare.net
Craig Smith Insurance Group | 260 Madison Avenue, 8th Floor, New York, NY 10016 | Independent Medicare Broker | Licensed in New York, New Jersey, and 14 additional states
We are not connected with or endorsed by the United States Government or the federal Medicare program. 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.
