NY State of Health Encourages New Yorkers to Check Out Health Insurance Options at Their Local Library Throughout February

Enrollment Assistors Will Provide Information and Enrollment Assistance at Public Libraries in Upstate New York Throughout the Month of February

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 can learn about enhanced federal tax credits made available through the American Rescue Plan Act and expanded through the Inflation Reduction Act. The state tax credit, available through 2025, will help eligible health plan (QHP) participants lower their premiums, including high-income New Yorkers who may be eligible for health insurance savings for the first time . Enrollment for Qualified Health Plans (QHP) remains open during the nationwide COVID-19 Public Health Emergency (PHE).

Important changes are imminent. A new federal rule requires New York State to begin re-determining participants' eligibility for her open program in the spring of 2023. Medicaid, Child Health Plus (CHP), and Essential Plan (EP) participants will no longer be eligible for these public programs beginning in early 2020 due to ongoing coverage requirements for the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency (PHE). I never had to renew my health insurance coverage. However, the Consolidated Appropriations Act of December 2022 included new rules ending the requirement for continued coverage from spring 2023. Beginning Spring 2023, renewal notifications will be sent to participants in these programs based on their enrollment end dates. The renewal notice will include a deadline to take action to renew your coverage or risk coverage gaps. The deadline is based on the registrant's registration end date and ranges from June 30, 2023 to his May 31, 2024. To avoid coverage gaps, the NY State of Health encourages consumers to sign up for SMS alerts to receive important health insurance updates, even during extended periods. (To receive text notifications in Spanish, the consumer can send her INICIAR to the same number.)

Consumers can continue to select health insurance options and use the NYS Provider & Health Plan Look-Up Tool to find preferred provider networks such as doctors and hospitals. Free registration assistance is offered in communities statewide.

Here are her three ways to sign up for health insurance through the Marketplace:

1. Meet with an enrollment assistant (in person or over the phone) - click here for help.

2. Call the NY State of Health Customer Service Center at 1-855-355-5777.

3. Go online with https.

During business hours of the //nystateofhealth.ny.gov. Customer Service Center, use the chat feature on the website to assist in creating your application.