Partnership with NYS Department of Agriculture and Markets Promotes Healthier Lifestyles
Educational Information Available at More Than 400 Farmers Markets
ALBANY, N.Y. (June 16, 2017) – NY State of Health, the state’s official health plan Marketplace, and the NYS Department of Agriculture and Markets are partnering to educate shoppers about affordable health insurance coverage at more than 400 farmers markets statewide. Certified enrollment assistors will be available at several select market locations throughout the months of June and July to help shoppers apply for coverage. This is the third year of the partnership.
“Combining access to fresh, healthy foods and affordable, quality health care is a natural partnership that will benefit New Yorkers across the state,” said New York State Department of Health Commissioner Dr. Howard Zucker. “NY State of Health, the state’s official health plan Marketplace, has proven to be successful because it is active in the community and goes directly to where the consumers are. The partnership with the Department of Agriculture and Markets truly builds on this success.”
“We are happy to once again make information about affordable health insurance available to farmers market shoppers across the state,” said NY State of Health Executive Director Donna Frescatore. “This partnership continues our efforts to meet consumers in locations that are convenient to them, making it easy for them to find a good, low-cost health plan.”
State Agriculture Commissioner Richard A. Ball said, “We are proud to be teaming up again with NY State of Health on this important initiative. Access to fresh, nutritious food options and affordable health insurance are keys to a full and healthy lifestyle. I encourage shoppers at the participating markets to take advantage of the enrollment assistors on-hand and the wide selection of delicious, locally-grown produce.”
Through the partnership, New Yorkers are encouraged to lead healthier lives with access to fresh, locally grown foods and affordable, quality health insurance coverage. In addition to having certified assistors onsite at some locations, 365 farmers market managers will prominently display Marketplace information.
Details on which farmers market locations will have NY State of Health Assistors on site are included here.
All health plans offered through NY State of Health cover preventive care, such as routine doctor visits and screenings, at no additional cost. Enrollment in Medicaid, Child Health Plus and the Essential Plan is open all year. And while 2017 Open Enrollment for Qualified Health Plans has ended, some consumers who have recently undergone a major life change may be eligible to enroll through a special enrollment period.
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Contact: NY State Department of Health
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.