Serrano Announces New Affordable Health Care Enrollment Starts Today for New Yorkers
Press Release
Congressman José E. Serrano released the following statement today marking the beginning of open enrollment for the health insurance exchanges that the Affordable Care Act created:
"Starting today, the health care reform law allows New Yorkers to access affordable, quality health insurance through the new online marketplace," Congressman Serrano said. "While Republicans have shut down the government in order to try to "stop Obamacare,' people across the country, including in the Bronx, are learning today about the new options available to them through the law. They will find that the new online marketplace provides a very simple way to get health insurance regardless of health conditions, income level, or any other factor."
The open enrollment period for the first year of the marketplaces runs from October 1, 2013 through March 31, 2014. In the marketplaces, there is no denial for pre-existing conditions, no annual or lifetime limits, and no higher rates for women compared to men. It is estimated that substantially more than half of those shopping in the new marketplaces will qualify for discounts on their monthly premium based on their income, which will make the premiums more affordable.
"New York State has worked particularly hard to provide great options for New Yorkers," Congressman Serrano added. "I know that once Bronx residents interact with the new marketplaces -- whether online, on the phone, or with the help of one of the "navigators' -- they will find that their choices are really quite good, and quite reasonable. The first step towards this, however, is up to them. And so I urge Bronxites to get online or call the toll free number and begin the process."
New Yorkers looking for health coverage should go to https://nystateofhealth.ny.gov/ or call 1-800-318-2596, a national toll-free hotline open 24 hours a day, seven days a week. They can also call the New York hotline at 1- 855-355-5777 or TTY: 800-662-1220, which is staffed Monday - Friday, 8 a.m. - 8 p.m. and Saturday, 9 a.m. - 1 p.m. The website and phone hotlines are also available in Spanish at https://www.cuidadodesalud.gov/es/ and 1-800-318-2596.
"There has been so much misinformation, and outright lies, about the Obamacare health care reform law, that I worry people will not take advantage of the great programs and subsidies available to them," Congressman Serrano concluded. "Today we can start changing that situation and get people connected with real facts, and real programs. That is the reality of the Affordable Care Act--it is designed to help people access health care options. I urge New Yorkers, and Bronx residents in particular, to look into their options under the law and see their lives change for the better."
Source