Enrollment Opportunities Exist for Eligible New Yorkers Outside Open Enrollment Period
ALBANY, N.Y. (February 11, 2019) – NY State of Health, the state’s official health plan Marketplace, is reaching out to job seekers across the state who may be between jobs or entering the job market for the first time to inform them about affordable health insurance options. NY State of Health certified in-person assistors will be available at more than 20 job and career fairs statewide throughout the spring to educate consumers about their health plan options through the Marketplace and make appointments to enroll.
“Consumers who may have lost their employer-sponsored health insurance coverage or are in between jobs may qualify for a health plan through the Marketplace,” said NY State of Health Executive Director, Donna Frescatore. “Having a presence at job and career fairs continues to be an effective way for NY State of Health to educate uninsured New Yorkers about how easy it is to get a good low-cost health plan through the Marketplace.”
In addition, through a partnership with the NY State Department of Labor (DOL), NY State of Health has been able to educate nearly 500,000 New York job seekers about affordable health insurance coverage options through DOL’s Career Centers. Since 2015, NY State of Health in-person assistors have been stationed at 46 DOL Career Centers statewide to educate unemployed individuals about getting health insurance coverage through the Marketplace. NY State of Health printed materials also are available in all DOL Career Centers.
"As Governor Cuomo often says, it's important that state agencies work together when serving the people of New York State," said State Labor Commissioner Roberta Reardon. "Department of Labor Career Centers serve hundreds of thousands of people each year, and leveraging our presence in so many communities to expand access to affordable health insurance is smart policy. I thank Commissioner Zucker and Executive Director Frescatore for their continuing cooperation and support. I urge anyone in need of work or who would like information on getting health coverage to visit their local Career Center."
Details on NY State of Health job/career fair events can be found here.
More than 4.7 million New Yorkers have enrolled in a health plan through the Marketplace. New York’s 2019 Open Enrollment Period for a Qualified Health Plan ended on January 31. New Yorkers can still enroll in a Qualified Health Plan if they experience a qualifying life event, such as losing other health coverage, having a baby, getting married or moving to a new area. Enrollment in Medicaid, Essential Plan and Child Health Plus is open all year. More information about special enrollment can be found here.
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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/, call Customer Service at 1-855-355-5777, TTY: 1-800-662-1220 or find an enrollment assistor.
About NYS Department of Labor Career Centers
The New York State Department of Labor operates 96 Career Centers throughout the state, offering free services to businesses and job seekers alike. Job seekers can take advantage of resume writing workshops and interview prep sessions or receive job placement assistance and connection to training providers. Career Centers are staffed by trained Labor Service Representatives who can offer one-on-one assistance for job seekers searching for their next career. Furthermore, the Department of Labor operates Governor Andrew M. Cuomo’s Jobs Express database, the most extensive job board in the state. To locate your nearest Department of Labor Career Center, please visit: https://labor.ny.gov/career-center-locator/.
To browse Jobs Express, please visit: https://www.labor.ny.gov/jobs/regional.shtm