Increased Visits to Food Pantries During Holiday Season Provide Opportunity to Reach Uninsured New Yorkers
ALBANY, N.Y. (November 25, 2019) – NY State of Health, the state's official health plan Marketplace, today announced its partnership with food pantries for the third holiday season to educate consumers about enrolling in high quality, affordable health insurance. Food pantries across New York will have certified enrollment assistors on-site throughout November and December to answer questions about health coverage options and how to enroll in a health plan. This year, the Marketplace is also offering eligible New Yorkers the option to receive information on the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) during the enrollment process.
NY State of Health’s annual collaboration with food pantries builds upon the state’s steadfast commitment to combating hunger. Under Governor Cuomo's leadership, New York has taken aggressive action to bring hunger relief to thousands of individuals by launching several groundbreaking initiatives that deliver healthier food to underserved communities.
“NY State of Health is pleased to continue working alongside food pantries this holiday season to connect people to the assistance they need securing food and health insurance,” said NY State of Health Executive Director Donna Frescatore. “By providing access to health coverage with free preventive care and nutrition assistance programs that reduce food insecurity, we are supporting the overall health and wellness of New Yorkers and their families.”
To find a NY State of Health event at a food pantry in your community click here.
NY State of Health also recently partnered with the NYS Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance (OTDA) to make it easier to access information about SNAP when applying for or renewing health coverage through the Marketplace. SNAP is a federally funded program overseen by OTDA that helps more than 2.6 million New Yorkers, or nearly 1.5 million households, put food on their table each month. Many people who are eligible for Medicaid may also be eligible for SNAP.
Several New Yorkers visiting food pantries may qualify for free or very low-cost health insurance coverage through Medicaid or the Essential Plan. All health plans offered through NY State of Health cover preventive care, such as routine doctor visits and screenings, at no additional cost. In addition, there are health plans available in every county that offer three free or low-cost sick visits annually.
The NY State of Health Open Enrollment Period in a Qualified Health Plan began November 1, 2019 and ends January 31, 2020. Enrollment in the Essential Plan, Medicaid and Child Health Plus is open all year. Consumers must enroll or renew by December 15, 2019 for coverage effective January 1, 2020.
For information about Marketplace health plans and enrolling, visit: www.nystateofhealth.ny.gov.
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Contact: New York 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.