Rate of Uninsured Drops to Lowest Level in Decades
ALBANY, N.Y. (February 23, 2016) - NY State of Health, the state’s official health plan Marketplace, today announced more than 2.8 million people have signed up for health insurance as of January 31, 2016, the end of the 2016 open enrollment period. Since the Marketplace opened in 2013, the number of uninsured New Yorkers has declined by nearly 850,000. According to recently released data by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the rate of uninsured declined from 10 percent to 5 percent between 2013 and September 2015 and is at its lowest level in decades.
“We have made great strides in reducing New York’s uninsured rate,” said NY State of Health Executive Director, Donna Frescatore. “The new Essential Plan for 2016 has helped bridge the gap for lower income individuals and families allowing many New Yorkers, including young adults, to get affordable health coverage through the Marketplace.”
The breakdown of NY State of Health enrollees as of January 31, 2016, the end of open enrollment, is as follows:
- Total enrollment: 2,833,823
- Total Medicaid enrollment: 1,966,920
- Total non-Medicaid enrollment: 866,903
- Essential Plan: 379,559
- Qualified Health Plan: 271,964
- Child Health Plus: 215,380
The majority of people who enrolled in coverage through NY State of Health receive financial assistance to help pay for coverage. While the 2016 open enrollment period for Qualified Health Plans has ended, individuals who have a qualifying life event may be eligible for a Special Enrollment Period. Individuals eligible for the new Essential Plan, Medicaid or Child Health Plus can enroll year-round.
For information on enrollment eligibility or to enroll in a health plan, visit nystateofhealth.ny.gov, call Customer Service at 1-855-355-5777, or find an enrollment assistor.
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Contact: NY State Department of Health
518.474.7354 ext. 1
About NY State of Health
New York opened its Health Plan Marketplace, NY State of Health, in October 2013. The Marketplace’s one stop health insurance shopping experience offers high quality comprehensive health plans. NY State of Health is the only place where consumers can qualify to get help paying for coverage through premium discounts or tax credits. Eligible New Yorkers can also enroll in Medicaid, Child Health Plus and the Essential Plan through the Marketplace all year. For more information about the NY State of Health Marketplace, please visit: https://nystateofhealth.ny.gov/ or call Customer Service at 1-855-355-5777, TTY: 1.800.662.1220 or find an enrollment assistor.