Does Uber or Lyft Give NYC Drivers Health Insurance?

Short answer: No. Uber does not give NYC drivers a health insurance plan. Uber's own New York City Driver Benefits page (dated April 15, 2026) lists four things: minimum earnings, Black Car Fund benefits, unemployment insurance and paid sick leave. Health insurance is not on the list, so you need to get coverage yourself.

What Uber does list for NYC drivers

Paid sick leave can help when you are ill, because you can use it for your own illness, medical care or a family member's care, according to Uber's page. But it does not pay a doctor or a hospital. See paid sick leave for Uber and Lyft drivers and unemployment benefits for app drivers.

The Black Car Fund is not health insurance

Many drivers think the Black Car Fund (BCF) is their health plan. It is not. The Fund's FAQ says: "We are a Workers' Compensation insurance provider, not a general health insurance provider." Workers' compensation covers lost wages and medical bills for injuries while you are working for a member base. It does not cover a cold, a chronic illness or an injury at home.

The Fund does run a separate, free Drivers Benefits program. The FAQ lists accident disability insurance, personal accident insurance, a critical illness benefit, hearing care, virtual primary care, vision coverage, dental insurance, a mental health program, and discounts on prescriptions, urgent care and imaging. Three things to know:

• You must enroll. Workers' comp is automatic if your base is a member. The extra benefits are not.
• Enroll before you need it. The FAQ says that for accident disability and critical illness benefits you "must be enrolled in the program BEFORE any injury or illness occurs."
• It is paid by passengers. The BCF surcharge is added to the passenger's fare. The FAQ says it "does not come out of your pay," even if it shows on your statement.

Where to get health coverage

Because the apps don't provide it, most of your options come from the state marketplace or public programs. The NY Attorney General's 2026 guidance points New Yorkers to:

1. New York State of Health, the official marketplace, at nystateofhealth.ny.gov or 1-855-355-5777. Certified enrollment helpers are free. The guidance warns that state agencies "will never charge New Yorkers to enroll or re-enroll."
2. Medicaid or the Essential Plan if your income qualifies. Beginning July 1, 2026, Essential Plan members with household income over 200% of the federal poverty level lost eligibility. The AG said losing it counted as a qualifying event for enrolling in a new plan before September 1, 2026.
3. If you can't afford a plan: hospital financial-assistance programs (required under state law), NYC Care, discount drug cards and prescription assistance programs.

You can only buy or change a marketplace plan during open enrollment or a special enrollment period, such as after losing coverage, moving, marriage or a new baby. For a full walk-through, read health insurance for NYC drivers in 2026.

Related rules and exceptions

• Lyft: we have not verified Lyft's NYC benefits page, so we don't list Lyft benefits here. The Black Car Fund FAQ says drivers affiliated with any member base, including high-volume bases, are "Eligible Drivers."
• Other sectors: the Fund's list of eligible categories covers traditional black car, luxury limousine, high-volume, TNC and non-emergency medical bases; yellow taxis are not on it. TLC's 2025 Annual Report says FHV bases pay into the Livery Fund and the Black Car Fund. Compare sectors in yellow taxi vs Uber.
• If the app cuts you off, benefits tied to driving can stop too. See will the apps cut me off if TLC suspends me? and app lockouts and the 72-hour and 16-hour rules.

This page explains programs. It is not insurance or legal advice; ask a certified enrollment helper which plan fits your family.