Does New York Medicaid Cover Incontinence Supplies and Adult Diapers?

Updated October 2026.

The updated rules apply to new prior authorization or prior approval requests initiated on or after July 1, 2026 for New York Medicaid fee-for-service members and October 1, 2026 for managed long-term care (MLTC) plans. This page reflects them.

Which kind of Medicaid do you have?

Regular Medicaid (fee-for-service). For covered supplies, an enrolled pharmacy or medical equipment supplier generally bills New York Medicaid directly. We can check whether prior approval (Medicaid's approval before supplies ship) is required for your order.

Mainstream Medicaid managed care, including HARP and HIV-SNP plans (special managed care plans for behavioral health and HIV care). Under New York's 2023 pharmacy-benefit changes, covered incontinence supplies handled through the NYRx pharmacy benefit (New York Medicaid's pharmacy program, officially the Medicaid NYRx Pharmacy Program) are generally billed through New York Medicaid rather than the health plan. We can check how this applies to your coverage and supplier.

Managed long-term care (MLTC), PACE (an all-in-one care program for older adults) and Medicaid Advantage Plus. If you're in one of these plans, your incontinence supplies are generally handled through that plan. We check whether we work with your plan and the coverage, approval requirements and supply limits that apply. The updated state limits took effect for new MLTC requests started on or after October 1, 2026.

You may have both a Medicaid benefit card and a health-plan card, and the card alone does not always tell you which program handles supplies. Not sure? Ask us: start your request or text (347) 817-1037, and we will help you check your enrollment and explain how to share your insurance information securely. Prefer to talk? You can also call (347) 817-1037.

Have Fidelis, Anthem HealthPlus, Aetna Better Health or UHC Community through NY Medicaid? Ask us to check coverage for your exact product before you order. We check whether we can serve your specific plan and supplies.

How much does New York Medicaid cover?

These are the standard maximum quantities under New York's updated incontinence supply rules. What is approved depends on your documented medical need and coverage requirements, up to these limits.

Two rules to know: the updated rules do not allow reusable and disposable supplies of the same type during the same 30-day period. And if you need more than the limit, an exception can be requested with your practitioner's documentation of a condition that causes increased urine or stool output. Exceptions are reviewed case by case and are not automatic.

Under these rules, Medicaid does not cover incontinence diapers, liners or underpads for children under three. Covered liners are incontinence liners, not menstrual pads.

Do you carry pull-ups and other supplies?

We carry a full range of adult diapers and briefs, including pull-on underwear, plus disposable gloves, underpads (chux), and bed and chair covers. New York Medicaid can cover eligible incontinence supplies within the Medicaid allowed limits, but coverage depends on the product and your Medicaid program. The June 2026 Medicaid update does not separately identify pull-on underwear by that name. Coverage depends on the specific product, its billing code and your Medicaid program. Text (347) 817-1037 or call (347) 817-1037 and we'll help check which supplies and quantities may be covered before you order.

What the order from your practitioner needs

Medicaid requires a valid order and documentation supporting your medical need. We can prepare the order paperwork and send it to your practitioner, or you can bring our form to your appointment. Your practitioner makes the clinical decisions, completes the diagnosis, quantities, frequency, directions and refills, and signs the order. We don't fill those in for them. In plain terms, the order has to show:

• Who you are: name, date of birth and Medicaid ID.
• A diagnosis code supported by your medical record that explains why the supplies are medically necessary.
• Which products (for example diapers, liners or underpads) and what size.
• The quantity ordered for each supply, consistent with the applicable coverage period. We cannot bill for more than the amount properly ordered and supplied.
• How often to use each supply, directions for use, and how many refills are authorized.
• The practitioner's name, address, telephone number, NPI number and signature, and the date of the order.

Your practitioner's records must support the medical need and quantities requested. We maintain required sizing and product documentation, including evidence that the products meet applicable New York Medicaid standards.

Download the written order form for your practitioner (PDF)

How do I get supplies through Medicaid?

1. 1You or a caregiver ask us to start (form, text or call) and tell us who your doctor or other practitioner is and what you use now.
2. 2With your permission, we prepare the order paperwork using your information and the products you tell us you use, and send it to your doctor or other licensed practitioner. Your practitioner independently decides what is medically necessary, completes the clinical information, selects the products and quantities, and signs the order. Already have an order? Send it to us instead, or bring our order form to your next visit.
3. 3After we receive the signed order, we call you to confirm your order details and your information, check the coverage requirements and request any required approval before filling the order.
4. 4When the order and any required approvals are in place, we'll confirm delivery arrangements with you. Because Medicaid limits how much you can get in each 30-day period, we time each delivery to stay within that limit. Delivery is expected 2 to 5 business days after your welcome call. The welcome call is where we explain the process and set up your first order.
5. 5About 10 days before your next eligible refill, we'll text you to confirm whether you still need your supplies. You can confirm the refill or ask to delay it by two or four weeks. If you delay, we'll contact you again to confirm your need before shipping. We don't ship a refill without your confirmation. Prefer a call? Let us know. Every refill must still meet your current order and coverage requirements.

Ask us to get started:

Start your request Text us Call us

What if Medicaid denies my supplies?

A supply request may be denied if required information is missing, the requested quantity is over the usual limit, or coverage requirements are not met.

We review the reason and check whether paperwork needs to be corrected. If you receive a written denial notice, follow the appeal instructions and deadlines on that notice. Fixing paperwork does not pause the appeal deadline.

Your appeal options depend on your Medicaid program and who made the decision. You may be able to ask for a New York State fair hearing or a health-plan appeal. If supplies you already receive are being reduced or stopped, ask promptly whether you can keep receiving them while you appeal. Shorter deadlines may apply.

We can help with supply paperwork and explain the information we receive, but we cannot guarantee that a denial will be reversed.

Does Medicaid cover Depends in New York?

New York Medicaid may cover qualifying adult diapers, liners and underpads, but coverage of a specific Depend product has to be checked. New York Medicaid's June 2026 incontinence product update does not name Depend as covered or excluded. Coverage depends on your practitioner documenting the medical need and the product meeting the state's requirements, including minimum product specifications for adult products. We check the exact product against those requirements and your plan's rules.

Use pull-on underwear? That update lists brief/diaper, liner and underpad codes but does not list pull-on underwear by that name, so coverage depends on the specific product, its billing code and your Medicaid program. See "Are pull-ups covered?" below.

Does Medicaid pay for Depends, or are they free?

Medicaid can pay for qualifying supplies that meet the requirements above and your plan's rules. What you may owe is not set out in that update, so we explain any expected costs before you order. We cannot promise coverage of any specific product.

What to do next

To check a specific product:

1. 1Write down the exact product you use now.
2. 2Start your request or text (347) 817-1037 and tell us the product and your Medicaid plan.

Depend® is a trademark of Kimberly-Clark. Medically Modern is not affiliated with Kimberly-Clark.

Questions people ask

Does NY Medicaid cover adult diapers?

Yes. NY Medicaid can cover medically necessary adult diapers when its documentation and coverage rules are met. The standard limit is up to 250 disposable diapers and incontinence liners combined per 30 days.

Does Medicaid cover incontinence supplies in New York if I have Medicare too?

Original Medicare does not cover incontinence supplies or adult diapers. If you also have New York Medicaid, eligible supplies may be covered under Medicaid's requirements: a practitioner's order, a supported diagnosis and quantities within its limits. Having both programs does not guarantee coverage for every product or amount. Ask us to check your Medicaid coverage for your exact product.

How many underpads does Medicaid cover per 30 days?

New York Medicaid covers up to 150 disposable underpads per 30 days, or up to 4 reusable ones (2 bed, 2 chair), not both in the same period.

Do I need a prescription for adult diapers on Medicaid?

Yes. A qualified practitioner must authorize an order supported by the required medical documentation. We can help prepare the paperwork for your practitioner to complete and sign.

Does my Medicaid managed care plan pay for diapers?

For eligible members of mainstream Medicaid managed care plans, including HARP and HIV-SNP, covered incontinence supplies handled through NYRx are generally billed through New York Medicaid rather than the health plan. If you're in a Managed Long Term Care (MLTC), PACE or Medicaid Advantage Plus plan, your incontinence supplies are generally handled through that plan. We'll check your specific coverage for you.

Can I get more than the monthly limit?

Only by exception, reviewed case by case, with your practitioner's documentation of a condition that causes increased output.

Are pull-ups covered?

We carry pull-on underwear. The June 2026 Medicaid update does not separately identify pull-on underwear by that name. Coverage depends on the specific product, its billing code and your Medicaid program. We check the specific product and your coverage before ordering.

Does Medicaid cover my brand?

Not every brand or product is covered. We can check your preferred product and discuss alternatives that may meet your needs and coverage requirements.

Can supplies be delivered?

Yes. We deliver throughout New York State. Delivery is expected 2 to 5 business days after your welcome call. Delivery is subject to order confirmation and Medicaid requirements. MLTC, PACE and Medicaid Advantage Plus members: we check whether we work with your plan.

Before you order

Have your Medicaid card and, if you have one, your practitioner's order ready. We will explain the coverage information we find and any expected costs. Benefit information is an estimate, not a guarantee of payment. If you have a skin rash, sores or signs of infection, see your doctor or nurse.

Sources. eMedNY Incontinence Product Update, revised June 5, 2026 · eMedNY Medical Supplies Procedure Codes and Coverage Guidelines · eMedNY DMEPOS Policy Manual · NY Department of Health NYRx transition FAQ · NY DOH model adverse determination notice · LawHelpNY: requesting a fair hearing · MedlinePlus: incontinence products

Related guides. Does Medicare cover adult diapers? · How to choose adult diapers for women · Adult diapers vs pull-ups · Why do adult briefs leak?