Consumers Can Enroll Now in Qualified Health Plans for 2018
Coverage More Affordable in 2018
More Than 400,000 Households to Receive Annual Renewal Notices
Albany, NY (November 1, 2017) – NY State of Health, the state’s official health plan Marketplace, begins its 5th Open Enrollment Period today. Consumers can enroll in Qualified Health Plans now through January 31, 2018. New York State extended the enrollment deadline beyond the federal deadline of December 15th to give consumers more time to consider their health plan options and enroll.
“For five years, the Marketplace has offered quality, affordable health plans to New Yorkers and there’s never been a better time to see what we have to offer,” said NY State of Health Executive Director Donna Frescatore. “With health plan choices in every county of the state, comprehensive benefits, good prices, and in-person enrollment assistance, NY State of Health is more committed than ever to getting New Yorkers covered.”
Consumers can enroll in a health plan by:
- Calling the Customer Service Center at 1-855-355-5777
- Logging onto the website at nystateofhealth.ny.gov
- Meeting with an in-person assistor. Find an assistor here.
More than 4 million individuals – more than 1 in 5 New Yorkers - have enrolled in quality, affordable health insurance coverage through NY State of Health. Many individuals who qualify for federal tax credits to purchase a Qualified Health Plan (QHP) will see premiums for comparable coverage decrease in 2018. On average, consumers who select the most popular silver level plan will see their premium decrease by five percent.
Higher tax credits make Bronze level coverage in a QHP free to individuals making $25,000 a year, in 43 counties of the state. Bronze coverage has a higher annual deductible and cost sharing, but preventive care is free, it provides protection against catastrophic illnesses or accidents and it satisfies the federal requirement to have coverage.
Additional information regarding NY State of Health enrollment, reductions in the uninsured, health plan options and costs by region are included in the 2018 regional fact sheets which can be found here.
Over 400,000 existing NY State of Health customers have already received or will receive their 2018 renewal notices in the coming days. Renewal begins on November 16. These notices provide consumers with information about their eligibility for 2018 and health plan options and costs. Consumers who do not have changes in 2018 can be renewed without taking any further action.
NY State of Health representatives will be available at many events across the state to educate New Yorkers about the Marketplace, and to enroll consumers in health plans. A list of locations is available on the events map.
Consumers must enroll by December 15, 2017 for coverage beginning January 1, 2018. 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 or find an enrollment assistor.
Contact: NY State Department of Health
518.474.7354 ext. 1