2018 Qualified Health Plan Enrollees Can Renew Their Coverage for 2019 Now
ALBANY, NY (November 16, 2018) – NY State of Health, the state’s official health plan Marketplace, today announced that Qualified Health Plan enrollees can begin renewing their coverage for 2019 starting today. Open enrollment for new consumers began November 1, and as in past years, renewal starts on November 16. Consumers must enroll or renew by December 15, 2018 for coverage beginning January 1, 2019.
“It’s important that consumers renew as soon as possible, but no later than December 15 to ensure that there are no gaps in coverage in the new year,” said NY State of Health Executive Director Donna Frescatore.
Renewal notices have been sent to more than 500,000 households with current NY State of Health coverage with information about their 2019 eligibility, health plan options, and costs. These notices informed consumers of what actions, if any, they need to take to renew their coverage for 2019.
Over 95 percent of Marketplace enrollees will see no cost increase in 2019. There is no change in cost for Medicaid, Child Health Plus or Essential Pan enrollees and consumers who are eligible for a Qualified Health Plan with federal tax credits will see no or little increase in monthly costs. In addition, Bronze level Qualified Health Plans will be free to individuals with incomes up to $25,000 and not eligible for Medicaid or the Essential Plan in every county of the state, and less than $50 a month for individuals with incomes up to $30,000 a year in 41 counties. Bronze level Qualified Health Plans provide no-cost preventive care and protect against catastrophic costs despite having a higher annual deductible than other available plans.
Consumers will continue to have a broad choice of health insurer options in every county of the state. Twelve insurers are offering Qualified Health Plans and sixteen insurers are offering the Essential Plan statewide in 2109. On average, consumers have a choice of four Qualified Health Plan and Essential Plan insurer options in every county of the state.
Consumers are encouraged to shop for the best plan for themselves and their families. NY State of Health will again make several resources available including the anonymous plan search and tax credit estimator tool, and the NYS Provider and Health Plan Look-Up tool. In-person assistors are available in communities throughout the state and the NY State of Health Customer Service Center is available to help consumers with enrollment. The Customer Service Center can be reached at: 1-855-355-5777. Enrollment in the Essential Plan, Medicaid and Child Health Plus is open all year.
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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. You can also use our website to find an enrollment assistor or broker.
Contact: NY State Department of Health
press@health.ny.gov
518.474.7354 ext. 1