NY STATE OF HEALTH ANNOUNCES EXCHANGE HAS SIGNED UP TENS OF THOUSANDS OF NEW YORKERS FOR LOW-COST HEALTH INSURANCE
NEW YORK HAS SIGNED UP MORE RESIDENTS FOR LOW-COST HEALTH INSURANCE THAN ANY OTHER STATE REPORTING THUS FAR
ALBANY (Oct. 8, 2013) - The NY State of Health (NYSOH), the official health plan marketplace, today announced that over 40,000 New Yorkers have signed up for quality, low-cost health insurance in just a little over one week, more than any other state reporting thus far. These 40,000 New Yorkers completed the full application process and were found eligible for health insurance plans allowing them to now choose the low-cost health care plans they applied for. The exchange was launched on October 1 marking the beginning of a six-month enrollment period offering individuals and small businesses across the state access to quality, low-cost health plans.
“In just over one week, we have already signed up more than 40,000 New Yorkers into low cost health insurance. This fast pace of sign-ups shows that New York State’s exchange is working smoothly with an overwhelming response from New Yorkers eager to get access to low cost health insurance. We will continue to encourage our state’s residents to sign up for health insurance online, over the phone and at the hundreds of on-site centers we have across New York,” Donna Frescatore, executive director of NY State of Health said.
In addition, the State’s customer service center operators have provided assistance to more than 26,000 callers.
NY State of Health technicians have monitored the site 24/7 and have made numerous improvements to nystateofhealth.ny.gov since the Oct. 1, and they continue to make daily enhancements to increase performance. New Yorkers are enjoying easy access to the site and are benefitting from dramatic increases in the site’s processing. Technicians will continue to monitor the site to ensure New Yorkers can easily shop and apply online.
The rates for the health plans on NYSOH represent a 53 percent reduction compared to the previous year’s individual rates. In addition to this cost-savings, it is estimated that nearly three-quarters of individual enrollees will qualify for financial assistance. New Yorkers can access available plans, estimated costs, and financial assistance for their county by using the Tax Credit and Premium Estimator at http://info.nystateofhealth/PremiumEstimator
Plans offered on NYSOH are available in four easy-to-compare metal tiers (platinum, gold, silver, and bronze) from 16 qualified insurers and 10 qualified dental insurers. New Yorkers can see plans available in their area at http://info.nystateofhealth.ny.gov/PlansMap
The Small Business Marketplace offers small businesses with 50 or fewer employees a range of flexible options to meet their needs. Small businesses can access expert advice and enroll on NYSOH either online at https://nystateofhealth.ny.gov/employer, by calling toll-free at 1-855-355-5777, or by contacting an insurance broker or navigator.
Close to 500 in-person Assistors/Navigators have been trained and are providing high-quality enrollment assistance in all 62 counties of the state, and in a total of 48 languages. Individuals and families can get information and enroll in a plan either online at www.nystateofhealth.ny.gov, or by calling toll-free at 1-855-355-5777. For in-person assistance, community navigators can be found by county on the website.
New Yorkers have until March 31 to enroll, and the first round of coverage begins January 1.
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Contact:
The New York State Department of Health
518 474 7354, ext. 1