Skip to main content
The Mom Site

Having a baby in New York

Medicaid and WIC income limits, paid leave, doula and lactation coverage, breast pumps and childcare prices in New York, with the agency and link to apply for each.

Checked October 2026 · 35 sources

Short answer

New York Medicaid covers pregnancy for incomes up to 223% of the poverty level, about $48,257 a year for you and one baby, and for 12 months after birth. WIC takes households of two earning up to $40,034. Paid family leave covers up to 12 weeks to bond with your baby, up to $1,229 a week. New York Medicaid pays for a doula (up to about $1,500 per pregnancy). Full-time infant care at a center runs about $15,600 a year (2022 prices).

What you can get in New York

The short answer for each benefit, with its source. Tap Details for income limits, how to apply and the fine print.

Yes

Can Medicaid cover your pregnancy in New York?

In New York, New York Medicaid covers pregnancy for household incomes up to 223% of the federal poverty level (about $48,257 a year for a household of two); Medicaid postpartum coverage lasts 12 months.

Source: KFF State Health Facts, income limits as of January 2026Details
Yes

Can you get WIC in New York?

Yes, if your household's income is at or below $40,034 a year for two people (you and your baby). If you get Medicaid, SNAP or TANF, you may already qualify. Apply by phone or in person.

Source: New York State Department of Health, October 2026Details
Yes

Does New York have paid family leave?

New York pays up to 12 weeks of Paid Family Leave to bond at 67% of wages (max $1,228.53 a week in 2026); disability benefits for pregnancy and recovery pay only 50%, up to $170 a week.

Source: New York State Workers’ Compensation Board, October 2026Details
Yes

Does New York Medicaid pay for a doula?

In New York, Medicaid covers doula care: up to $1,500 per pregnancy for 8 prenatal or postpartum visits, plus support during labor and delivery.

Source: National Health Law Program (NHeLP), October 2026Details
Yes

Does New York Medicaid cover a lactation consultant?

In New York, Medicaid pays for lactation counseling by licensed clinicians who hold a lactation certification such as IBCLC, but unlicensed lactation consultants can't bill.

Source: New York State Department of Health, October 2026Details
Yes

Does New York Medicaid cover a breast pump?

In New York, Medicaid covers a manual or standard electric breast pump once every three years with a practitioner's order and supplier authorization.

Source: eMedNY / New York State Department of Health, October 2026Details

Medicaid for pregnancy in New York

Yes

223%

of the federal poverty level is the upper income limit

KFF, January 2026

12 mo

of Medicaid coverage after birth

KFF, July 2026

Program
New York Medicaid
Agency
New York State Department of Health
Medicaid limit
223% of the poverty level
CHIP unborn-child option
Yes, at the Medicaid limit
12-month postpartum coverage since
March 1, 2023
Presumptive eligibility
Yes. A qualified clinic or hospital can enroll you right away.
Apply for New York Medicaid Check your income
New York Medicaid income limit by household size223% of 2026 guidelines (48 states and DC)
HouseholdPer yearPer month
2you + 1 baby$48,257$4,021
3$60,924$5,077
4$73,590$6,133
5$86,256$7,188
6$98,923$8,244
7$111,589$9,299

Count yourself plus each baby you're expecting. Gross household income; New York rounds and updates on its own schedule, so treat these as approximate. Compare every state

Sources: KFF State Health Facts; KFF and Georgetown University Center for Children and Families; KFF; New York State Department of Health; Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. Data as of October 2026.

WIC in New York

Yes

New York WIC gives pregnant and new parents, babies and children under 5 healthy food, nutrition help and breastfeeding support. You qualify on income at or below 185% of the poverty guidelines, and you may already qualify if you get Medicaid, SNAP or TANF.

Program
New York WIC
Agency
New York State Department of Health
Phone
(518) 402-7093
Apply online
No. Apply by phone or in person.

  1. Call your WIC office

    Contact a WIC agency where you live to start, by phone or online. The agency schedules an in-person or virtual appointment to finish the application and nutrition check.

  2. Go to your appointment

    In person or virtual. Staff finish your application and do a free health and nutrition check.
New York WIC WIC limits for every state
WIC income limits, 48 states and DCJuly 2026 to June 2027
HouseholdPer yearPer month
1$29,526$2,461
2$40,034$3,337
3$50,542$4,212
4$61,050$5,088
5$71,558$5,964
6$82,066$6,839

Gross household income. Count each unborn baby as a household member.

Sources: New York State Department of Health; USDA Food and Nutrition Administration; USDA Food and Nutrition Service (Federal Register). Data as of October 2026.

Doula coverage in New York

Yes

In New York, Medicaid covers doula care: up to $1,500 per pregnancy for 8 prenatal or postpartum visits, plus support during labor and delivery.

Covered since
March 1, 2024
Most Medicaid pays per pregnancy
$1,500
Payment
New York City: $93.75 per perinatal visit (T1032, at least 30 minutes; up to 8 prenatal and postpartum visits combined) + $750 for in-person labor and delivery support (T1033) = $1,500. Rest of state: $84.37 per visit + $675 = $1,349.96. Fee schedule effective 3/1/2024.
Prenatal and postpartum visits, combined
8
Labor and delivery support
Yes
Doula certification required
Age 18+, NPI, adult/infant CPR, doula liability insurance, HIPAA familiarity; Training Pathway (24 hours of competency training + support at 3 births) or Work Experience Pathway (30 births or 1,000 hours in the last 10 years + 3 recommendations)
Notes
The total uses the higher NYC rate; the rest of the state pays up to $1,349.96. Coverage lasts through 12 months after the pregnancy ends, whatever the outcome. Since 4/1/2025, managed care members starting doula care need a doula who participates with their plan; fee-for-service members can use the state doula directory. A statewide standing order (reissued 6/10/2026) covers the recommendation requirement. SPA NY-24-0003 lists 1/1/2024 as its effective date, but coverage began 3/1/2024. The work-experience pathway counts experience from the last 10 years, per the current eMedNY policy manual.

The dollar figure is what Medicaid pays the doula, not what you pay. Medicaid can't charge cost sharing for pregnancy-related services, so covered doula care costs you nothing. You usually need a recommendation from a doctor, midwife or other licensed provider, and a doula in your health plan's network. Checked October 2026; rates often change January 1 and July 1, so confirm with New York Medicaid.

New York Medicaid: doula services For doulas: enroll with New York Medicaid

1,273

doulas listed in New York, 403 on a Medicaid doula list

CMS NPPES and state doula lists

Doulas in New YorkDoula coverage in every state

Sources: National Health Law Program (NHeLP); New York State Department of Health; New York State Medicaid (eMedNY); CMS (Medicaid.gov); National Academy for State Health Policy (NASHP). Data as of October 2026.

Lactation support in New York

Yes

In New York, Medicaid pays for lactation counseling by licensed clinicians who hold a lactation certification such as IBCLC, but unlicensed lactation consultants can't bill.

Who can bill
physician; nurse practitioner; midwife; physician assistant; registered nurse
Where
outpatient; clinic; FQHC/RHC
Visit limits
Initial individual session at least 45 minutes; follow-up sessions at least 30 minutes within the 12 months after delivery; group classes limited to one prenatal and one postpartum class per recipient per pregnancy
IBCLCs can enroll on their own
No
Since
April 1, 2013
Notes
NYS Medicaid pays separately for lactation counseling (S9445 individual, $45; S9446 group, $15) when provided by a licensed physician, NP, midwife, PA or RN who also holds an approved lactation certification (IBCLC, CLC, CLS, CBS, CLE, CCL or CBE); the list expanded beyond IBCLC on July 1, 2022 (FFS) and September 1, 2022 (managed care). Physicians, NPs and midwives bill directly; PAs and RNs bill through an employing physician or facility. Unlicensed lactation consultants cannot bill, and the service must be ordered by a physician, NP, midwife or PA. No newer change was found in Medicaid Update issues from 2021 through 2026.

New York Medicaid member information

507

lactation consultants listed in New York

CMS NPPES

Lactation consultants in New YorkLactation coverage in every state

Sources: New York State Department of Health; KFF. Data as of October 2026.

Breast pumps through New York Medicaid

Yes

In New York, Medicaid covers a manual or standard electric breast pump once every three years with a practitioner's order and supplier authorization.

Pump types
manual; personal electric; hospital-grade rental
Prior authorization
Required
Prescription
Required
When you can get one
Manual (E0602) and standard electric (E0603) pumps: once every 3 years (frequency code F4 in the July 1, 2026 manual)
Notes
Manual and standard electric pumps are purchase-only and covered to establish or maintain milk supply. E0603 is marked as needing a Dispensing Validation System (DVS) authorization, an electronic authorization the supplier gets at dispensing rather than a clinical prior-approval review. All DME needs a practitioner fiscal order. Since April 1, 2023, managed care members get these supplies through NYRx or FFS DME providers. The July 2026 manual changed the frequency for E0602 and E0603 to once per 3 years. Hospital-grade rental (E0604) is limited to conditions such as prematurity or prolonged infant hospitalization, with DVS for up to 2 months and prior approval beyond that.

New York Medicaid member information

Sources: eMedNY / New York State Department of Health; KFF. Data as of October 2026.

Childcare costs in New York

$15,600

a year ($300 a week), the median for infant care at a center

DOL state estimate, 2022

$13,000

a year ($250 a week) in a family childcare home

DOL state estimate, 2022

Full-time provider prices before any subsidy, in 2022 dollars. The national median for center infant care was $12,647 a year.

Center infant care, lowest and highest county2022 prices
CountyPer year
Westchester Countyhighest$16,900
Allegany Countylowest$12,844

62 of 62 counties have a center infant price.

Source: U.S. Department of Labor, Women's Bureau. Data as of October 2026.

Questions about having a baby in New York

What is the income limit for pregnancy Medicaid in New York?

New York Medicaid covers pregnancy for household incomes up to 223% of the federal poverty level. At the 2026 poverty guidelines that's about $48,257 a year for a household of two, $60,924 for three and $73,590 for four. Count yourself plus each baby you're expecting.

How long does Medicaid cover you after birth in New York?

New York Medicaid covers you for 12 months after the pregnancy ends, a rule in place since March 2023.

What is the WIC income limit in New York?

From July 1, 2026 to June 30, 2027, New York WIC uses USDA's limits: $40,034 a year for a household of two, $50,542 for three and $61,050 for four. If you get Medicaid, SNAP or TANF, you may already meet the income rule. Call 518-402-7093 to apply.

Does New York have paid family leave?

New York pays up to 12 weeks of Paid Family Leave to bond at 67% of wages (max $1,228.53 a week in 2026); disability benefits for pregnancy and recovery pay only 50%, up to $170 a week.

Does New York Medicaid pay for a doula?

In New York, Medicaid covers doula care: up to $1,500 per pregnancy for 8 prenatal or postpartum visits, plus support during labor and delivery.

How much does infant daycare cost in New York?

The median price for full-time infant care at a center in New York was $300 a week, about $15,600 a year, in 2022 (U.S. Department of Labor). Prices have risen since, so treat it as a floor and look up your county.

Sources

  1. 1.Medicaid and CHIP Income Eligibility Limits for Pregnant Women as a Percent of the Federal Poverty Level (as of January 2026) KFF State Health Facts. Accessed October 9, 2026.
  2. 2.Medicaid and CHIP Eligibility, Enrollment, and Renewal Policies as States Prepare for Major Medicaid Policy Changes (Table 2, January 2026) KFF and Georgetown University Center for Children and Families. Accessed October 9, 2026.
  3. 3.Medicaid Postpartum Coverage Extension Tracker (as of July 15, 2026) KFF. Accessed October 9, 2026.
  4. 4.Medicaid and CHIP Eligibility, Enrollment, and Renewal Policies as States Resume Routine Operations Following the Unwinding (Table 7: Presumptive Eligibility, January 2025) KFF and Georgetown University Center for Children and Families. Accessed October 9, 2026.
  5. 5.New York Medicaid: how to apply New York State Department of Health. Accessed October 9, 2026.
  6. 6.CMS approval of New York State Plan Amendment NY-23-0006 (12-month postpartum coverage), effective 2023-03-01 Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. Accessed October 9, 2026.
  7. 7.Annual Update of the HHS Poverty Guidelines (91 FR 1797, Jan. 15, 2026) U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (Federal Register). Accessed October 9, 2026.
  8. 8.New York WIC (state WIC page) New York State Department of Health. Accessed October 9, 2026.
  9. 9.New York WIC: state agency contact USDA Food and Nutrition Administration. Accessed October 9, 2026.
  10. 10.WIC: 2026/2027 Income Eligibility Guidelines (91 FR 23050, Apr. 29, 2026) USDA Food and Nutrition Service (Federal Register). Accessed October 9, 2026.
  11. 11.Introduction to the Disability Benefits Law (employee disability benefits) New York State Workers’ Compensation Board. Accessed October 9, 2026.
  12. 12.Subject Number 046-1754: New Maximum Weekly Benefit Rate Effective July 1, 2025 (reports 2024 NYS average weekly wage) New York State Workers’ Compensation Board. Accessed October 9, 2026.
  13. 13.Subject Number 046-1805: New Maximum and Minimum Weekly Benefit Rates (reports 2025 NYS average weekly wage) New York State Workers’ Compensation Board. Accessed October 9, 2026.
  14. 14.Paid Prenatal Leave Law: Employee Fact Sheet (P695) New York State Department of Labor. Accessed October 9, 2026.
  15. 15.New York State Paid Family Leave New York State (paidfamilyleave.ny.gov). Accessed October 9, 2026.
Show all 35 sources
  1. 16.State Paid Family & Medical Leave Insurance Laws (chart, April 2026) National Partnership for Women & Families. Accessed October 9, 2026.
  2. 17.State paid family and medical leave contributions and benefits (Feb. 6, 2026) Mercer Law & Policy Group. Accessed October 9, 2026.
  3. 18.Doula Medicaid Project: state-by-state chart of doula Medicaid efforts (last updated Sep. 2026) National Health Law Program (NHeLP). Accessed October 9, 2026.
  4. 19.Doula Services: Information for Medicaid Members New York State Department of Health. Accessed October 9, 2026.
  5. 20.Doula Provider Enrollment and Billing New York State Department of Health. Accessed October 9, 2026.
  6. 21.Doula Services Provider Policy Manual (March 2026) New York State Medicaid (eMedNY). Accessed October 9, 2026.
  7. 22.Doula Services Fee Schedule New York State Medicaid (eMedNY). Accessed October 9, 2026.
  8. 23.Statewide Standing Order for Doula Services (reissued June 10, 2026) New York State Department of Health. Accessed October 9, 2026.
  9. 24.New York SPA 24-0003: Preventive health services provided by doulas CMS (Medicaid.gov). Accessed October 9, 2026.
  10. 25.State Trends in Medicaid Coverage of Doula Services (published April 1, 2026; data as of March 2026) National Academy for State Health Policy (NASHP). Accessed October 9, 2026.
  11. 26.42 CFR 447.56(a)(2)(ii), exemptions from Medicaid cost sharing: pregnancy-related services eCFR / Code of Federal Regulations.
  12. 27.Expanded List of Lactation Services Certifications: Breastfeeding Support Authorized for Payment (NYS Medicaid Update, June 2022) New York State Department of Health. Accessed October 9, 2026.
  13. 28.Fee-for-Service Medicaid: Breastfeeding Support Payment for Specially Trained Lactation Counselors (NYS Medicaid Update, March 2013) New York State Department of Health. Accessed October 9, 2026.
  14. 29.Medicaid Coverage of Pregnancy-Related Services: Findings from a 2021 State Survey KFF. Accessed October 9, 2026.
  15. 30.Coverage Guidelines, Medical Supplies: Provider Coverage & Procedure Manual eMedNY / New York State Department of Health. Accessed October 9, 2026.
  16. 31.DME Procedure Codes & Coverage Guidelines eMedNY / New York State Department of Health. Accessed October 9, 2026.
  17. 32.DMEPOS Policy Manual eMedNY / New York State Department of Health. Accessed October 9, 2026.
  18. 33.National Database of Childcare Prices: 2008-2022 (Data File) U.S. Department of Labor, Women's Bureau. Accessed October 9, 2026.
  19. 34.National Database of Childcare Prices Technical Report (September 2024) U.S. Department of Labor, Women's Bureau. Accessed October 9, 2026.
  20. 35.National Database of Childcare Prices: State-Level Estimates and Affordability Rankings 2022 U.S. Department of Labor, Women's Bureau. Accessed October 9, 2026.

Other states

Benefits change at the state line. Pick another state to compare.

All states