NY State of Health, together with the state Department of Financial Services (DFS), have extended enrollment period available to New Yorkers during which eligible individuals will be able to enroll in insurance coverage through NY State of Health.
The step was taken in light of the COVID-19 public health emergency to further protect the public health of New Yorkers, so that individuals do not avoid seeking testing or medical care for fear of cost. The open enrollment period for coverage in 2020 had previously ended on Feb. 7.
NY State of Health has opened a special enrollment period for uninsured individuals who need to enroll in a Qualified Health Plan. The period runs through April 15.
People 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 on-line at nystateofhealth.ny.gov, by phone at 855-355-5777, and working with enrollment assistors.
Due to circumstances related to the COVID-19 pandemic, Adirondack Health Institute’s Enrollment Assistance Services and Education (EASE) team has stopped seeing clients in person, however, continues to offer free health insurance enrollment assistance via telephone.
People in Clinton, Essex, Franklin, Fulton, Hamilton, Saratoga, Warren, or Washington counties who need enrollment assistance can call 1-866-872-3740, or visit ahihealth.org/ease/appointment-request/ to request a free telephone appointment.
A joint venture of Adirondack Health, Glens Falls Hospital, Hudson Headwaters Health Network, St. Lawrence Health System, and the University of Vermont Health Network – Champlain Valley Physicians Hospital, Adirondack Health Institute’s mission is to create transformative initiatives to improve access to health care services allowing the residents of the Adirondack region to realize their full potential and live a healthy life.
For more information, please visit www.ahihealth.org.
The Department of Health provides public health information and guidance for COVID-19 at www.health.ny.gov/diseases/communicable/coronavirus/, and has implemented a Novel Coronavirus Hotline at 1-888-364-3065.
The Centers for Disease Control’s website offers up to date information at www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov.