Benefits Navigation & Support · Surprise rank #420
Insurance Problem in New York? Get a Free Advocate to Fight Denials, Bills and Coverage Problems
Community Health Advocates provides free, confidential, unbiased help with health coverage, medical bills, denials and access to care across New York.
Who
New Yorkers who are insured or uninsured and need help with health coverage or health-care access; service is available regardless of citizenship or immigration status.
Where: All 62 New York counties
What to do
Start here: Contact Community Health Advocates through its statewide helpline or program page and explain the denial, bill or coverage issue.
Eligibility: Live in New York and have a health-insurance, medical-billing or health-care-access problem within CHA’s scope.
What you get
CHA counselors help people understand coverage, find affordable care, resolve billing or medical-debt problems, challenge denials and navigate health-insurance rights.
Benefit: Free one-on-one advocacy and navigation, including help with appeals and medical-billing problems.
Possible value: No fixed cash award; successful help can save anything from a disputed bill or premium to the cost of denied medical care.
Good to know
Important: CHA advocates for you but does not guarantee that an insurer, provider or government program will reverse every decision.
Availability: Active
Why people miss it: People often think the only choices are arguing with the insurer alone or hiring a lawyer; New York funds an independent consumer-assistance network.
Sources reviewed: Aug 10, 2026