New Yorkers Now Have Until December 19 to Enroll for Health Insurance Coverage that Begins January 1
ALBANY, N.Y. (December 15, 2015) - NY State of Health (NYSOH), the state’s official health plan Marketplace, today announced the December 15, 2015 deadline for individuals enrolling or renewing health insurance coverage that takes effect January 1, 2016 has been extended through December 19. Due to the high volume of activity, this extension will give consumers an additional 4 days to review their 2016 plan options, learn more about the new Essential Plan, and enroll in coverage that starts January 1.
“Enrollment in NYSOH has been active since the start of the 2016 period in November. This deadline extension will give New Yorkers the extra time they need to select an affordable coverage plan that’s right for them.” said NYSOH Executive Director Donna Frescatore. “The Marketplace offers quality health plans to choose from, financial help for those who qualify, and personal assistance to make it easier to enroll.”
NY State of Health’s Customer Service Center answered more than 170,000 calls from New Yorkers last week with call volume averaging more than 34,000 calls per day. Additionally, since November 1 the Marketplace’s website has been busy, with more than 43 million page views and 1.8 million anonymous shopping searches through December 10.
A new option on the Marketplace for 2016 is the Essential Plan for lower income individuals and families between 138-200% federal poverty level. Available only through NY State of Health, the Essential Plan will lower premiums to $20 or less a month and provide comprehensive benefits for hundreds of thousands of lower income New Yorkers. Additional Information on the Essential Plan can be found here: http://info.nystateofhealth.ny.gov/sites/default/files/Essential%20Plan%20Fact%20Sheet.pdf.
Throughout this open enrollment period, the Marketplace is holding a series of educational and enrollment events at various New York State locations including, shopping malls throughout the state, CVS, Kinney Drugs, and TOPS pharmacies, and cultural community events. For a list of upcoming informational and enrollment events, visit http://info.nystateofhealth.ny.gov/events.
Existing enrollees who are renewing their coverage for 2016 and those who are enrolling for the first time, must now act by December 19, to have coverage on January 1, and avoid a gap in coverage. This deadline extension is for individuals only and does not apply to the small business Marketplace. For information on how to enroll, visit nystateofhealth.ny.gov, call Customer Service at 1-855-355-5777, or find an enrollment assistor.
The NYSOH’s website plan preview, an anonymous shopping tool, which allows individuals to shop for a health plan before starting an application can be accessed here: https://nystateofhealth.ny.gov/individual
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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.