American Rescue Plan Continues to Offer Savings That Drive Down 2022 Health Plan Premiums to Lowest Levels in Recent Years
Plan Options and Enrollment Assistance Provided Across the State
New Yorkers encouraged to enroll by January 15 for Feb 1 Coverage
ALBANY, NY. (January 14, 2022) – NY State of Health, together with the New York State Department of Financial Services (DFS), today announced that the Open Enrollment Period for 2022 Qualified Health Plans (QHPs) will remain open consistent with today’s announcement that the federal government is extending the Public Health Emergency effective January 16, 2022. NY State of Health, the state’s official health plan Marketplace, provides new and returning consumers many quality, low-cost health insurance options, with a choice of QHPs in every county, and continues to offer expanded tax credit savings through the American Rescue Plan Act. New Yorkers who enroll by January 15 will have coverage starting February 1.
“I urge all New Yorkers who do not have health insurance, or need to renew their coverage in 2022, to do it now," said Acting New York State Department of Health Commissioner Dr. Mary T. Bassett. "Amidst the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, having health care coverage is more important than ever. Enroll today and get vaccinated and boosted as well if you are eligible.”
“Protecting the health of New Yorkers has never been more important than it is right now,” said NY State of Health Executive Director Danielle Holahan. “We are taking this action, in light of the ongoing COVID-19 public health emergency, so uninsured consumers do not avoid seeking testing or medical care for fear of cost. Enrollment will remain open for all Marketplace programs for the duration of the federal emergency.”
“It is critical that all New Yorkers have the opportunity to access high-quality and affordable health insurance, especially during an ongoing pandemic,” said Acting Superintendent of Financial Services Adrienne A. Harris. “I encourage New Yorkers to take advantage of the extension to purchase coverage for themselves and their families, protecting their health and financial well-being.”
Extending the Open Enrollment Period for QHP’s aligns with the coverage rules for public programs also administered through NY State of Health. New Yorkers need to enroll by January 15 for coverage starting February 1 and by February 15 for coverage starting March 1.
NY State of Health programs have played an important role filling gaps in coverage for people who lose income or job-based coverage during the public health emergency. Between March 2020 and December 31, 2021, enrollment across marketplace programs has surged, with more than 1.5 million additional New Yorkers enrolling in Medicaid, the Essential Plan, Child Health Plus, and QHPs. Enrollment in the Essential Plan, Medicaid and Child Health Plus is open year-round.
American Rescue Plan Act tax credits remain available through 2022 to help New Yorkers pay for QHP coverage. This enhanced financial assistance can lower the cost of premiums for current and new enrollees, including higher-income individuals for the first time.
Consumers continue to have a choice of health plan options and can use the NYS Provider & Health Plan Look-Up Tool to search for preferred provider networks, including doctors and hospitals. Free enrollment assistance is provided in local communities throughout the state.
Consumers can enroll in a health plan by:
· Calling the Customer Service Center at 1-855-355-5777:
o Monday to Friday, from 8:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m.
o Saturdays, from 9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
· Logging onto the website at nystateofhealth.ny.gov
· Speaking with an enrollment assistor. Find an assistor here.
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For additional information, visit the NY State of Health website at:
Contact: New York State Department of Health
518-474-2043 x. 2
press@health.ny.gov
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.
About the New York State Department of Financial Services (DFS)
The Department of Financial Services supervises and regulates the activities of approximately 1,500 banking and other financial institutions with assets totaling more than $2.6 trillion and more than 1,400 insurance companies with assets of more than $4.7 trillion. They include more than 130 life insurance companies, 1,300 property/casualty insurance companies, about 100 health insurers and managed care organizations, and 300,000 individual insurance licensees, 122 state-chartered banks, 80 foreign branches, 10 foreign agencies, 14 credit unions, 13 credit rating agencies, nearly 400 licensed financial services companies, and more than 9,600 mortgage loan originators and servicers. For more information visit: https://www.dfs.ny.gov/.