Marketplace Partners with New York State Department of Taxation and Finance to Visit Participating Taxpayer Assistance Program (TAP) Sites Throughout the State
Enrollment Assistors Educate Taxpayers on Plan Options and Federal Tax Credits that May Lower the Cost of Coverage
ALBANY, N.Y. (February 24, 2023) - NY State of Health, the state’s official health plan Marketplace, today announced its partnership with the New York State Department of Taxation and Finance to help New Yorkers enroll in quality, affordable health insurance at Taxpayer Assistance Program (TAP) sites throughout the state. Certified NY State of Health enrollment assistors will meet consumers at participating locations throughout March and into April to compare health plan options, access financial assistance, answer questions and make enrollment appointments. The Taxpayer Assistance Program provides free tax assistance to taxpayers with income of $73,000 or less in 2022.
“We are excited to partner with New York State Department of Taxation and Finance this tax season to educate New Yorkers on their health insurance options, including their potential eligibility for enhanced federal premium tax credits,” NY State of Health Executive Director Danielle Holahan said. “This is a valuable opportunity for taxpayers to find a health plan that fits their needs and their budget while also receiving free tax help.”
Details on where you can find an enrollment assistor while filing your taxes can be found here. Taxpayer Assistance Program sessions must be scheduled by appointment. Taxpayers can sign up for a virtual or in-person session here.
“New Yorkers who sign up for in-person tax help through the Taxpayer Assistance Program can also learn about health insurance options at locations across the state,” New York State Department of Taxation and Finance Acting Commissioner Amanda Hiller said. “The Taxpayer Assistance Program provides an easy way for taxpayers who made $73,000 or less in 2022 to file online for free.”
Consumers will learn about enhanced federal tax credits made available through the American Rescue Plan Act and extended through the Inflation Reduction Act. The federal tax credits are available through 2025 to help eligible Qualified Health Plan (QHP) enrollees lower their premiums, including higher-income New Yorkers who may be eligible for savings on health insurance for the first time. Enrollment in a Qualified Health Plan will remain open for the duration of the federal COVID-19 Public Health Emergency (PHE) unwind (Spring 2024).
During the COVID-19 pandemic, over 9 million New Yorkers enrolled in Medicaid, Child Health Plus (CHP), and the Essential Plan (EP), and had their coverage automatically renewed without eligibility reviews during the PHE. However, as the PHE winds down, new federal rules will require New York State to once again review eligibility for public programs.
Beginning in spring 2023, renewal notices will be sent to enrollees in these programs based on their enrollment end dates. Renewal notices will include the deadline to take action to renew their insurance or risk having a gap in coverage. Deadlines will be based on the enrollees’ enrollment end dates and will range from June 30, 2023, through May 31, 2024.
To avoid a gap in coverage, NY State of Health is encouraging consumers to sign up for texts alerts to receive important health insurance updates, including when it’s time to renew, by texting START to 1-866-988-0327. (To receive text alerts in Spanish, consumers can text INICIAR to the same number.)
There are three ways to enroll in a health plan through the Marketplace:
- Meet with an enrollment assistor (in person or by phone) – you can find assistance here.
- Call the NY State of Health Customer Service Center at 1-855-355-5777.
- Go online to https://nystateofhealth.ny.gov. A chat feature is available on the website during customer service center hours to help you complete your application.
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Contact: New York State Department of Health
518-474-2043 x. 2
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.