NY State of Health Encourages New Yorkers to Check Out Health … – New York State Department of Health
ALBANY, N.Y. (February 2, 2023) – NY State of Health, the state’s official health plan Marketplace, today announced that certified enrollment assistors will be available at public libraries across upstate New York this February. NY State of Health navigators and other enrollment assistors will be available in upstate libraries to educate and help New Yorkers enroll in quality, affordable health insurance. They will provide in-person support to library patrons–educating them on their plan options, answering questions, scheduling appointments, and helping with enrollment.
“NY State of Health is excited to partner with public libraries to provide health insurance information and enrollment assistance to help ensure New Yorkers stay healthy with access to high-quality, affordable health insurance.” NY State of Health Executive Director, Danielle Holahan said. “We are pleased to meet New Yorkers in their local communities to help them access health insurance, which is now more affordable than ever due to expanded financial assistance.”
For a directory of participating libraries and the dates assistors will be visiting, please click here.
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 will remain open for Qualified Health Plans (QHP) for the duration of the federal COVID-19 Public Health Emergency (PHE).
Important changes are coming. New federal rules will require New York State to begin redetermining eligibility for public program enrollees in the spring of 2023. Enrollees in Medicaid, Child Health Plus (CHP) and the Essential Plan (EP) have not had to renew their health insurance since early 2020 due to the COVID-19 public health emergency (PHE) continuous coverage requirements for these public programs, which were adopted by the Families First Coronavirus Response Act in March 2020. However, the December 2022 Consolidated Appropriations Act included new rules, ending the continuous coverage requirements starting spring 2023. 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.)
Consumers continue to have a choice of health plan options and can use the NYS Provider & Health Plan Look-Up Tool to search for preferred provider networks, including doctors and hospitals. Free enrollment assistance is provided in local communities throughout the state.
There are three ways to enroll in a health plan through the Marketplace:
1. Meet with an enrollment assistor (in person or by phone) – you can find assistance here.
2. Call the NY State of Health Customer Service Center at 1-855-355-5777.
3. 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.
