Mayor’s Public Engagement Unit and Health Department Urge New Yorkers to Enroll in Health Insurance Before Deadline on Tuesday, January 31

NEW YORK, Jan. 27 -- New York Mayor Bill de Blasio issued the following news release:

Mayor Bill de Blasio's Public Engagement Unit is partnering with the Health Department, NYC Health + Hospitals and others to remind New Yorkers of the deadline to enroll in health insurance: Tuesday, January 31.

On Monday, January 30 and Tuesday, January 31, the Mayor's Public Engagement Unit will lead Enrollment Days of Action across the city to sign up as many New Yorkers as possible. Enrollment facilities will have extended hours to provide convenient, free, in-person enrollment assistance.

Teams of GetCoveredNYC specialists will be in communities across NYC flyering, making phone calls and knocking on doors to help New Yorkers find an enrollment location near them and remind them of the deadline.

Many New Yorkers may still qualify for low and no-cost health coverage throughout the year even after open enrollment ends, so the GetCoveredNYC team will be proactively engaging New Yorkers and case managing them through every step of the enrollment process, ensuring they come prepared to their appointment, and following up afterwards to facilitate access to care.

The City provides free enrollment assistance, in person at its Health Centers in all five boroughs, but New Yorkers can also call 311 or text CoveredNYC or SeguroNYC to 877877 for information on where to enroll or visit NYStateofHealth.ny.gov to enroll online. Residents who are uninsured after the deadline may face penalties.

"Getting health insurance is the first step toward accessing affordable and quality care, and living a healthy life," said Health Commissioner Dr. Mary T. Bassett. "If you don't have health insurance, we're here to help you find a plan that works for you. Don't wait to get covered."

"With only a few days left before the end of open enrollment, we are hitting the streets in communities across NYC to make sure that as many New Yorkers as possible sign up to receive health coverage in 2017. We can connect them to free, in-person enrollment assistance at convenient locations. For some New Yorkers, this will be the last opportunity to get health care coverage this year. For those who may still qualify for low and no-cost health coverage throughout the year, we will continue to help New Yorkers enroll. Don't miss out! Enroll today," said Regina Schwartz, Director of the NYC Public Engagement Unit.

"People who get insurance often find the real value is in having regular checkups, establishing a relationship with a primary care provider, and addressing personal health priorities. NYC Health + Hospitals has providers throughout the five boroughs--providers who speak your language and work to understand what matters to you. So the one thing people should really do in the next few days is make sure you get covered to live your healthiest life," said Stanley Brezenoff, Interim President and Chief Executive Officer of NYC Health + Hospitals.

"MetroPlus is New York City's plans and we are excited to be working with the GetCoveredNYC team on this final push before the Jan 31 enrollment deadline. We're extending our enrollment hours at enrollment locations across the city to make sure we're signing-up as many New Yorkers as possible in health coverage for 2017," said Dr. Arnold Saperstein, President and CEO of MetroPlus.

U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand said, "Having good quality health insurance is often the only way families in New York can afford treatment and medical care. The Affordable Care Act has given more New Yorkers access to affordable health insurance than ever before, but many families still haven't enrolled in a plan. The deadline to sign up is approaching fast, so if you don't have health insurance yet, make sure to enroll today."

"Despite President Trump's actions to undermine the Affordable Care Act, our efforts to provide every single New Yorker with quality, affordable health care continues," said Congressman Joe Crowley. "With the deadline for enrollment just around the corner, I'm glad to see the Health Department, through its GetCoveredNYC initiative, is ensuring that residents who are uninsured can obtain the assistance they need in order to obtain coverage through the New York State of Health Marketplace."

"The deadline to sign up for health care in New York is fast approaching, and for those who still have not signed up for an affordable plan, there is no better time than now," said Congressman Eliot L. Engel. "The NYC Department of Health is making the sign-up process simple by utilizing 311, and the GetCoveredNYC campaign has been a tremendous success in spreading the word about health care options available to New York City residents. I encourage everyone to move quickly and find the plan that's right for them before the January 31st deadline."

"I hope all New Yorkers will check their healthcare status and make sure they are covered before the upcoming deadline on Tuesday," said Congresswoman Carolyn Maloney. "Health insurance not only saves lives, it saves patients and their families from unimaginable debt and economic hardship that can come from unexpected health expenses. I urge all New Yorkers who need help signing up to take advantage of the various in-person enrollment assistance options."

"Thanks to President Obama's Affordable Care Act, more New Yorkers have been able to access quality affordable health care regardless of their economic background through the New York State of Health Marketplace. I urge Bronxites to take advantage of the free or low cost options available to them through the network by signing up in person or online in one of the many sites throughout the City. Signing up will give them peace of mind knowing they are covered in case of illness or an emergency and for preventive care. It will also prevent them from having to pay a penalty for being uninsured when paying their taxes," said Congressman Jose Serrano.

"For over the past year, our office has worked with the New York State of Health to increase enrollment throughout the borough. Given the potential for drastic change to the Affordable Care Action that looms on the horizon, now more than ever we need to continue this work and leverage our community partnerships to further increase our efforts to expand enrollment in the ACA," said Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz, Jr.

"New York City is living proof that the ACA covers millions of people in effective and accessible ways," said Council Member Corey Johnson, Chair of the New York City Council Committee on Health. "We have a strong, successful healthcare marketplace, and we are going to continue to ensure that all New Yorkers have access to insurance regardless of what the Trump Administration says. Because of the great work of our City and state's public health officials, enrolling is easier than ever, and it is critically important that all uninsured New Yorkers enroll before January 31. I want to thank the de Blasio Administration, Commissioner Dr. Mary T. Bassett and her team at the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene for making healthcare more accessible than ever."

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