Monday Morning Conversation: Hartung talks health insurance coverage

Oct. 01--Open enrollment for New York State of Health, the state health plan exchange, is approaching.

The state hasn't set dates yet, but open enrollment began Nov. 1 last year.

That's when New Yorkers can sign up coverage on the state health plan exchange for 2019. Only people experiencing major life changes can sign up outside of open enrollment.

Health insurance navigators, like Noreen Hartung of ACR Health, can help individuals and families weigh the options and sign up for the most appropriate plan. They also help people determine -- based on income and family size -- whether they qualify for Medicaid, the essential plan (which provides free or low-cost coverage to New Yorkers who make a little too much for Medicaid), Child Health Plus or subsidies to help pay for exchange plans.

Hartung said she enjoys "being able to provide a people with a service that can ultimately change their lives," she said.

What are the advantages of using a navigator to sign up for coverage? The familiarity that we have with the website is an advantage for us. We work through the process every day and can rectify and questions or problems that arise. The choice (of plans) is not always obvious for people and we see a lot of people actually take time to go home and think about the options for qualified health plans with the subsidies. We are able to look at the website and advise them of the tax credit that they have and compare that to the monthly premium if they wish to take advantage of the credit. Deductibles within the plans are also a consideration for many people.

Do you have an anecdote that shows the value of your work? Just being able to see the appreciation in someone when they leave our office, knowing that we are able to provide them with medical coverage that they may have not been able to get in the past.

Do most people end up in a good plan with good coverage? Yes, the marketplace offers different plans with multiple insurance companies that individuals can look at and decide what is in their best interest. Individuals are surprised with the income limits that have been set forth. They don't realize that Medicaid, for example, has an income level for one person at $16,754 annually.

Is there any typical client who comes to see you? No typical clients. We see people that have lost jobs, (have) new addition to families, immigrants. Health insurance affects all, and we provide help to anyone that we can.

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