More than 2.7 million New Yorkers currently enrolled in coverage through NY State of Health
New Yorkers must enroll by January 31 for 2016 Coverage
ALBANY, N.Y. (January 25, 2016) – NY State of Health, the State’s official health plan Marketplace, is encouraging uninsured New Yorkers to learn about affordable health coverage options and enroll in a plan by January 31, 2016. To date, more than 2.7 million people are enrolled in health insurance through NY State of Health, including 1.9 million enrolled in Medicaid, and 827,000 enrolled in non-Medicaid coverage. This includes 210,000 children enrolled in Child Health Plus; 260,000 individuals enrolled in a Qualified Health Plan and 356,000 people in the new Essential Plan, a new and more affordable option for lower income New Yorkers.
“Today more than 2.7 million New Yorkers now have access to quality, affordable health care, a testament to our progress in helping those without insurance find coverage that works for them,” said NY State of Health Executive Director, Donna Frescatore. “With only one week left to enroll for 2016 coverage, we’re reminding New Yorkers there’s still time to get affordable health insurance through the Marketplace. We encourage people who have no health insurance to visit the NY State of Health website, call our customer service center, or schedule an appointment with an in-person assistor.”
The open enrollment period for Qualified Health Plans (QHP) ends on January 31. Consumers who do not enroll in a QHP by January 31 will be unable to enroll in a QHP for the remainder of 2016 unless they have a qualifying “life event” such as marriage, losing employer coverage or, under a new law that takes effect this year, they become pregnant. Enrollment in Medicaid, Child Health Plus and the Essential Plan, which is new in 2016 for lower income New Yorkers, is open all year.
New York State of Health also announced that starting in mid-January and continuing through February 1, 2016, individuals who were enrolled in a QHP will receive an important tax document called Form 1095-A. Individuals who used Advanced Premium Tax Credits during 2015 to reduce their monthly premium will need this form to reconcile their tax credits when filing their 2015 federal tax return. Individuals who did not use Advanced Premium Tax Credits during the year but want to claim a tax credit at the time they file their federal return will also need this form. New this year, the Department of Health will be sending Form1095-B to individuals enrolled in Medicaid or Child Health Plus during 2015. Form 1095-B provides information that consumers need to report on their federal income tax return showing that they had coverage during the year.
To assist consumers with questions about Form 1095-A and Form 1095-B, NY State of Health has again this year set-up a dedicated helpline at 1-855-766-7860, which is open Monday - Friday, 8 a.m. – 8 p.m. and on Saturday, 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. Additional information can also be found here: http://info.nystateofhealth.ny.gov/TaxCredits
NY State of Health works with more than 10,000 in person assistors across New York State who are trained and ready to help New Yorkers get affordable health coverage. The NY State of Health Customer Service Center can be reached at 1-855-355-5777. In addition to its usual hours of operation on Monday - Friday from 8 a.m. – 8 p.m., the call center will have extended hours Saturday, January 30 and Sunday, January 31, 2016 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. for the final weeks of the 2016 open enrollment period.
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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 in-person enrollment assistor.