NY State of Health, the state's official health plan Marketplace today announced, across all Marketplace programs, enrollment increased by nearly 885,000 people from the end of the 2020 Open Enrollment Period in February 2020 to the end of February 2021. There are now a record 5.8 million people enrolled in coverage through NY State of Health – nearly one in three New Yorkers.
"While it could not have been envisioned at the time, because of New York's unwavering commitment to its implementation of NY State of Health, expanding Medicaid, and adopting the Essential Plan for lower-income New Yorkers, the Marketplace has served as a safety net for consumers during this public health emergency," said NY State of Health Executive Director, Donna Frescatore. "Without easy, real-time access to these programs, many would not have had access to affordable health care throughout the past year, as the state responded to the global COVID-19 pandemic."
Enrollment increases over the past year were concentrated in Medicaid and the Essential Plan in line with expectations, as individuals lost their jobs and/or saw sharp declines in their incomes during the pandemic. As household income changed, NY State of Health allowed for smooth transitions from Qualified Health Plan and Child Health Plus enrollment to Medicaid and Essential Plan, often in the same health plan. Marketplace enrollees in 2021 include both individuals who are new to the Marketplace and were previously uninsured or had other coverage, and individuals who moved between NY State of Health programs due to a change in circumstances, such as loss of income.
Individuals who are eligible for other NY State of Health programs—Medicaid, Essential Plan and Child Health Plus—can enroll year-round. As always, consumers can apply for coverage through NY State of Health online at nystateofhealth.ny.gov, by phone at 1-855-355-5777, or by connecting with a free enrollment assistor.
Additional information on NY State of Health insurance options during the Coronavirus emergency can be found here.
Q&As on the American Rescue Plan – Enhanced Federal Tax Credits
Q: I read that under the American Rescue Plan (COVID relief stimulus bill) that I should get higher Premium Tax Credits than I already receive. When will that go into effect?
A: President Biden signed the American Rescue Plan into law on March 11, 2021. This law both increases tax credits for individuals who were already eligible and makes new, higher income individuals and families eligible for tax credits for the first time. These federal tax credits will lower the cost of coverage purchased through NY State of Health. NY State of Health is working to make these new credits available to eligible consumers as soon as possible. We will inform consumers when these additional premium tax credits are available and will work to make accessing these credits as easy as possible for consumers.
Q: How can I apply for the new tax credits available under the American Rescue Plan to help pay for health insurance coverage?
A: NY State of Health is working to make these new credits available to eligible consumers as soon as possible. We will have more information about how to take advantage of these increased tax credits in the near future.
Contact:
Wendy Danner-Tollett
New York State of Health Navigator
p: (315) 252-7291 ext. 222
e: wdannertollett@cayugacountychamber.com
w: nystateofhealth.ny.gov
