For Your Health: New York State of Health open enrollment approaching

Now that fall has arrived, it’s a good time to think about renewing your health insurance or enrolling in a plan during the upcoming Open Enrollment Period (OEP). Whether you are uninsured, underinsured or are thinking of shopping for a new plan, open enrollment for the 2020 plan year is just around the corner. It is the time when individuals may enroll in a health insurance plan for part or all of the next “plan year.” New York State of Health: The Official Health Plan Marketplace will be entering its seventh open enrollment period beginning Nov. 1, 2019 for coverage beginning Jan. 1, 2020.

Open enrollment is the only time of year eligible consumers can enroll in a Qualified Health Plan. Qualified Health Plans (QHPs) provide comprehensive coverage including free preventive care. Many individuals and families will be eligible for financial assistance to reduce the cost of coverage. Not only are there tax credits to lower monthly premiums, but you may also be eligible for cost-sharing reductions to reduce co-payments, deductibles, and out-of-pocket maximums. For 2019, more than 58 percent of QHP enrollees received financial assistance to lower the cost of their coverage. On average, these QHP enrollees received $335 a month in federal tax credits to reduce the cost of coverage, up from an average tax credit of $296 in 2018. As a result, many consumers who received tax credits saw little or no increase in monthly costs from 2018. New York remains committed to offering affordable, comprehensive coverage. It’s also important to remember that individuals who qualify for the Essential Plan, Child Health Plus, or Medicaid may enroll during any month of the year.

Individuals seeking in-person assistance from a Navigator can call the Healthcare Consortium at 518-822-9600 or toll free 1-800-980-5530 to schedule an appointment at any one of our 25 locations throughout Columbia and Greene counties. Appointments may be made during regular business hours of operation, as well as in the early morning, evenings, and weekends. Walk-ins are also welcome at these locations, as well as at our main office on the second floor of the Human Services Building at 325 Columbia St., Hudson (please note that this building is handicapped accessible). The Healthcare Consortium has staff that speak Spanish and Bengali, and can also utilize a language line to assist consumers in dozens of other languages. Our service is free.

Individuals seeking assistance with the NY State of Health may also call the Customer Service Center (1-855-355-5777), which is open 8 a.m.-8 p.m. Monday through Friday and 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturday and can assist the public in more than 48 different languages. New Yorkers can also access available plans, estimated costs, and financial assistance for their county by using the Tax Credit and Premium Estimator at www.nystateofhealth.ny.gov.

The Healthcare Consortium is a non-profit organization with a mission of improving access to healthcare and supporting the health and well-being of the residents in our rural community. The agency is located at 325 Columbia St. in Hudson. For more information: visit www.columbiahealthnet.org or call 518-822-8820.