If You Don't Have Health Insurance

The following announcement was made yesterday:

NY State of Health, together with the New York State Department of Financial Services (DES), today announced that New York will make a Special Enrollment Period available to New Yorkers during which eligible individuals will be able to enroll in insurance coverage through NY State of Health, New York's official health plan Marketplace, and directly through insurers. This step is being taken in light of the COVID-19 public health emergency to further protect the public health of New Yorkers. NY State of Health, DFS, and New York State health insurers are taking this action due to the exceptional nature of the public health emergency posed by the COVID-19 so that individuals do not avoid seeking testing or medical care for fear of cost. The open enrollment period for coverage had previously ended on February 7, 2020.

Individuals who enroll in Qualified Health Plans through NY State of Health or directly through insurers between March 16 and April 15, 2020, will have coverage effective starting April 1, 2020. 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 855-355-5777, and working with enrollment assistors. 

As directed by Governor Cuomo, all New York insurers will have waived cost-sharing for COVID-19 testing.