How to Apply for EPIC in New York
Who Can Apply
EPIC — the Elderly Pharmaceutical Insurance Coverage program — is open to New York residents who are 65 or older with annual gross income up to $75,000 (single) or $100,000 (married). Your parent must also be enrolled in a Medicare Part D prescription drug plan. There is no asset test.
Two groups are excluded: people under 65 (even if they qualify for Medicare through disability) and people receiving full Medicaid benefits. If your parent has Medicaid with a spend-down but has not met the spend-down in a given month, they can still use EPIC during that month.
What You Need Before Applying
Gather these before starting the form:
- Proof of age — driver's license, passport, birth certificate, or Medicare card showing the date of birth
- Proof of New York residency — utility bill, lease, NYS driver's license, or voter registration card
- Prior-year gross income documentation — the most recent federal tax return (Form 1040), Social Security SSA-1099, pension 1099-R forms, or other income statements. EPIC uses the prior calendar year's gross income to determine eligibility and plan assignment.
- Medicare Part D plan information — the name of your parent's current Part D plan (standalone PDP or Medicare Advantage with drug coverage). If they are not yet enrolled in Part D, they will need to enroll during the next available enrollment period before EPIC benefits can activate.
The Application Form: PS-3300
The official EPIC application is form PS-3300, published by the NYSDOH. It is a straightforward paper form — name, date of birth, address, Medicare number, income, and spouse information if married.
Submit the completed form with income documentation by mail to:
EPIC Program Office P.O. Box 15018 Albany, NY 12212
The form is also available for processing online through the NYSDOH web portal. Some HIICAP counselors and county Office for the Aging staff can help complete the form in person if your parent needs assistance.
Free Download
Get the New York — Medicare Savings Program Eligibility Checklist
Everything in this article as a printable checklist — plus action plans and reference guides you can start using today.
Processing Time and What Comes Next
After the application is received, the EPIC program office reviews income documentation, determines eligibility, and assigns the applicant to either the Fee Plan or the Deductible Plan based on prior-year income.
If approved, your parent receives:
- An EPIC membership card to present at the pharmacy alongside their Part D card
- A plan assignment letter showing whether they are on the Fee Plan or Deductible Plan
- For Fee Plan members, a billing notice for the quarterly membership fee (waived if they also have Extra Help)
EPIC's Automatic MSP Check
If your parent's income falls within MSP limits — roughly $1,856/month individual or $2,494/month for QI — EPIC automatically issues a Request for Additional Information (RFAI) or generates a referral to the local county DSS or NYC HRA to process an MSP application. This is a built-in cross-referral: EPIC checks whether the applicant might also qualify for QMB or QI and routes the information for follow-up.
If you receive an RFAI or referral, follow up. MSP approval triggers automatic Extra Help, which waives the EPIC annual fee (for Fee Plan members), reduces or eliminates prescription copays further, and pays the Part B premium — benefits that go well beyond EPIC alone.
When to Apply
EPIC accepts applications year-round. There is no annual enrollment window. Apply whenever your parent first becomes eligible — typically when they turn 65 — or whenever they first learn about the program.
If your parent's income changes significantly from one year to the next, EPIC reassesses at the annual renewal. A parent who was on the Deductible Plan because of higher income may shift to the Fee Plan after retirement reduces their income.
EPIC and Part D Enrollment
One requirement catches families off guard: EPIC requires active Part D enrollment. If your parent opted out of Part D when they first became Medicare-eligible and never enrolled, they will need to sign up for a Part D plan during the Annual Election Period (October 15 – December 7) or during a Special Enrollment Period if they qualify. EPIC cannot activate without Part D in place.
For a parent who delayed Part D enrollment and faces a late enrollment penalty, MSP approval solves that problem — Extra Help (triggered by MSP) waives the Part D penalty entirely.
The full coordination between EPIC, Extra Help, and MSP — including which program to apply for first and how they stack at the pharmacy counter — is covered in the New York Medicare Savings Programs, Extra Help & EPIC Guide.
Get Your Free New York — Medicare Savings Program Eligibility Checklist
Download the New York — Medicare Savings Program Eligibility Checklist — a printable guide with checklists, scripts, and action plans you can start using today.