State offers health care enrollment

ALBANY--The state's Health Plan Marketplace began its seventh annual open enrollment period for residents who need health insurance coverage in 2020.
"New York is proud to be a national leader in providing access to health care to state residents through a robust and vibrant marketplace," Gov. Andrew Cuomo said. "Despite continued aggressive threats at the federal level to dismantle the Affordable Care Act and block access to health care, we continue to move forward."
In New York, the number of uninsured has been reduced by 1.2 million since 2010, including one million since the NY State of Health Marketplace opened in 2013. More than 4.8 million people are currently enrolled in coverage through NY State of Health.
Open Enrollment for Qualified Health Plans began Nov. 1 and will continue through Jan. 31, 2020. New enrollees can apply for coverage starting this year Nov. 1. Current enrollees may begin renewing coverage Nov. 16. The marketplace offers a choice of health plans across all Marketplace programs in every county of the state, with free in-person assistance available to help consumers shop for and enroll in the best coverage for themselves and their families.
There will be no cost increase for nearly all Marketplace enrollees in 2020, including those in Medicaid, Child Health Plus, Essential Plan and Qualified Health Plans who receive tax credits. Consumers who receive premium tax credits will see no change, or in some cases a small decrease, in the cost of coverage compared to 2019.
Consumers must enroll or renew by Dec. 15, for coverage effective Jan. 1, 2020. Enrollment in the Essential Plan, Medicaid and Child Health Plus is open all year.
Consumers can review their health plan options and estimate their 2020 costs online, by phone, or with the help of an in-person assistor. NY State of Health has added a new out-of-pocket cost estimator tool to the website to help consumers with their plan shopping which allows them to compare premiums as well as estimate out-of-pocket costs for the various Qualified Health Plans available.
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.