500,000 New York State Households Expected to Renew Their Health Plan for the 2020 Plan Year
Consumers Must Enroll or Renew by December 15 for Coverage Effective January 1
ALBANY, N.Y. (November 14, 2019) - NY State of Health, the state’s official health plan Marketplace, today announced that beginning November 16, the Marketplace will be open for individuals looking to renew or change their health plan for 2020. Open Enrollment for new customers seeking to enroll in a Qualified Health Plan began November 1 and runs through January 31, 2020. New Yorkers must enroll by December 15 for coverage beginning January 1, 2020.
“The message to all consumers – new and returning – is to shop now and enroll by December 15,” said NY State of Health Executive Director Donna Frescatore. “New York’s commitment to coverage is unwavering, and we will continue our efforts to provide New Yorkers with the quality, affordable health coverage they deserve.”
Renewal notices have been sent to nearly 500,000 households with current Marketplace coverage with information about their 2020 eligibility, health plan options and costs. These notices inform consumers of what actions, if any, they need to take to renew their coverage for 2020. Since the start of the 2020 Open Enrollment Period on November 1, the Customer Service Center has received over 177,000 calls, and more than 334,000 people have visited the NY State of Health website.
NY State of Health offers a choice of health plans across all Marketplace programs in every county of the state, with free in-person assistance available to help consumers determine eligibility for financial assistance, view plan choices and enroll in the best coverage for themselves and their families. There will be no cost increase for nearly all Marketplace enrollees in 2020, including those in Medicaid, Child Health Plus, Essential Plan and Qualified Health Plans who receive tax credits. Consumers who receive premium tax credits will see no change, or in some cases a small decrease, in the cost of coverage compared to 2019.
The NY State of Health 2020 advertising campaign is underway, once again reinforcing that all New Yorkers deserve affordable health care. Advertising will also highlight that NY State of Health is here to help consumers compare plans and find the one that fits their needs, by offering financial help, free preventive services and options with low premiums and low out-of-pocket costs. Ads will continue statewide throughout the Open Enrollment Period with a specific focus in Queens, Bronx and Kings counties, areas of the state with higher than average rates of uninsured. The ad campaign will run on TV, radio, digital, print outlets and community billboards through the end of the Open Enrollment period on January 31, 2020.
Consumers can enroll in, renew or change, a health plan by:
- Calling the Customer Service Center at 1-855-355-5777
- Logging onto the website at nystateofhealth.ny.gov
- Meeting with an in-person assistor. Find an assistor here: https://nystateofhealth.ny.gov/agent/hx_brokerSearch?fromPage=INDIVIDUAL
NY State of Health representatives will be available at many events across the state to educate New Yorkers about the Marketplace and to enroll consumers in health plans. A list of locations is available on the NY State of Health Events Map here: https://info.nystateofhealth.ny.gov/events.
Consumers must enroll by December 15, 2019 for coverage beginning January 1, 2020. Enrollment in the Essential Plan, Medicaid and Child Health Plus is open all year.
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Contact:
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.