Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo said Wednesday that a special enrollment period for uninsured New Yorkers will be extended for another 30 days, through Aug. 15. New Yorkers can apply for coverage through New York State of Health, New York State’s health insurance marketplace, or directly through insurers.
“During these difficult and unprecedented times, access to quality, affordable health care is critically important to New Yorkers’ well-being,” Governor Cuomo said. “While we’re continuing to move in the right direction, we know we’re not out of the woods yet and by extending the open enrollment period we’re making sure New Yorkers who need affordable health care coverage can get it and help keep themselves and their families safe.”
NY State of Health, together with the State Department of Financial Services and New York State insurers, are taking this action in light of the COVID-19 public health emergency so that individuals do not avoid seeking testing or medical care for fear of cost. Individuals who have lost employer coverage must apply within 60 days of losing that coverage and individuals who have lost income may be eligible for Medicaid, the Essential Plan, Child Health Plus, or subsidized Qualified Health Plans.
Individuals who enroll in Qualified Health Plans through NY State of Health or directly through insurers by August 15, 2020 will have a choice of coverage start date either Aug. 1 or Sept. 1.
Residents can apply for coverage through NY State of Health online at nystateofhealth.ny.gov, by phone at 1-855-355-5777, and by connecting with a free enrollment assistor.
Additional information on insurance options is available here. Department of Financial Services information and resources during the Coronavirus emergency can be found here.
Helping Georgia
New York State will send personal protection equipment and test kits to Atlanta in response to a spike in Covid-19 cases.
Earlier this week, at the request of Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms, Cuomo announced the State will deploy resources to teams in Atlanta, as well as share expertise on contact tracing and provide technical assistance to support Atlanta’s contact tracing program.
“During New York’s greatest hour of need, other states sent volunteers, masks and equipment to help us flatten the curve and save lives. We are incredibly grateful to the 30,000 volunteers and donations that came to us during that hell. Now that we have flattened the curve and our numbers are strong, we are paying it forward to places like Atlanta, where Mayor Bottoms has been an aggressive and effective leader fighting this virus,” Cuomo said. “We have people who have been through this and know how to fight COVID-19, and we stand ready to aid states and localities in whatever way we can. Today, on behalf of the family of New York, we will deploy test kits and PPE to Atlanta as they struggle with surging cases.”
The initial delivery of the following equipment will be delivered to Atlanta by Friday:
- 7,500 VTM Test Kits
- 7,500 Gowns
- 7,500 Gloves
- 7,500 N95 Masks
- 7,500 Face Shields
- 2.5 pallets of Styrofoam Coolers
- 1,250 Gallons of Hand Sanitizer