Affordable Care Act Enrollment Period
Statement
As a strong supporter of the ACA, I will fight to protect the many benefits this law has provided my fellow Long Islanders. From allowing young adults to stay on their parent's insurance until age 26, preventing the discrimination of Long Islanders from being able to access affordable health coverage, removing annual or lifetime caps on coverage, and strengthening the Medicare program for our seniors; these are just a handful of benefits that have given Long Islanders the peace of mind they need to keep their health and financial well-being secure. Although the ACA is not perfect, I believe it is a step in the right direction to making our health care system more efficient and affordable for all Americans. During my remaining months as your member of Congress, I will continue to do all I can to make the ACA work better for you and your family or business.
First year implementation of the ACA in New York, also known as NY State of Health, was a huge success. Nearly 1 million New Yorkers signed up for coverage through the Individual Marketplace during the first enrollment period from October 1, 2013, through April 15, 2014. Roughly 80 percent of these individuals reported being uninsured at the time of enrollment. These figures also include individuals who received health coverage through Medicaid or Child Health Plus.
The second enrollment period -- November 15, 2014 through February 15, 2015 -- is quickly approaching, and I want to make sure you have all the information and resources you need. If you received coverage under the Individual Marketplace during the 2013-2014 open enrollment period and are satisfied with your plan, you will need to renew it for 2015. Click here to watch a short video to learn how. If you'd like to shop around to see if you can find a better deal, I encourage you to visit www.nystateofhealth.ny.gov or call 1 (855) 355-5777. I hope you and your family or business find the information and resources in the ACA Toolkit below useful.
INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES
NY State of Health is the Individual Marketplace where individuals and families can shop and compare health insurance plans. Individuals and families may also qualify for coverage under Medicaid or the Child Health Plus, or premium tax credits provided by the federal government to help make private health insurance more affordable. You must meet the following criteria in order to shop in the Marketplace:
Must live in New York
Must be a U.S. citizen, national or lawfully present immigrant (Different immigration rules may apply if you are eligible for Child Health Plus or NYS Medicaid based on your income)
Cannot be currently incarcerated
Under the ACA's individual mandate, individuals and families that fail to enroll in health insurance must pay a penalty when they file their taxes. Certain New Yorkers may qualify for an exemption under special circumstances and do not have to pay the penalty. Click here to see if you qualify for a hardship exemption. Click here is to learn more about other exemptions and how to apply for them.
If you meet the above criteria and are currently uninsured, please click here to access the Individual Marketplace to learn how to get started. If you are insured, and are happy with your plan, make sure you renew it for 2015. Click here to watch a short video to learn how. If you'd like to find a better deal, I encourage you to visit the Marketplace. Individuals eligible for Medicaid or Child Health Plus, and American Indians can enroll at any time during the year.
SMALL BUSINESSES
The Small Business Marketplace is available all year long. To sign up for coverage for December 1, you must enroll by October 31. Small businesses must meet the following criteria to become eligible for participation in the Small Business Marketplace:
Have a primary business address within New York State
Have a least one common-law employee
Have 50 or fewer eligible employees
Offer coverage through the Small Business Marketplace to all eligible employees
If your business meets this criteria, please click here to access the Small Business Marketplace for a summary of rates and benefits by carrier. Some businesses may even qualify for federal tax credits to help make the cost of coverage more affordable.
NAVIGATORS AND EVENTS
The ACA established grants to help train and certify individuals to help you navigate the health insurance marketplace and find the plan that best meets your needs. These individuals are known as In-Person Assistors (IPAs), or "Navigators," and they are located all across the State. Navigators can offer in-person advice and consultation during the upcoming enrollment period. Click here to browse the New York State Navigator Site Directory to find assistance in your area. Below are the locations that are in Nassau County. Click here to see if Navigators will be at an upcoming event in your community.
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