N.Y. State Department of Health Promotes Significant New Health Plan Financial Assistance at Farmers' Markets Across the State

ALBANY, New York, June 26 -- The New York State Department of Health issued the following news release:

NY State of Health, the state's official health plan Marketplace, and the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets are pleased to announce that Certified Enrollment Assistors will be on site at select farmers' markets statewide to educate New Yorkers about new and enhanced federal financial assistance that is now available to current enrollees and new enrollees, including to higher-income individuals for the first time, if they qualify.This financial assistance is being implemented as part of the American Rescue Plan, signed into law on March 11, 2021.

"We are pleased to be able to continue our partnership with the State Department of Agriculture and Markets as farmers' markets reopen throughout the state," said NY State of Health Executive Director Donna Frescatore."Recent changes under the American Rescue Plan now allow higher income individuals to receive financial assistance to purchase coverage through NY State of Health. I encourage anyone who needs health insurance to shop for a plan and enroll today."

State Agriculture Commissioner Richard A. Ball said, "Our farmers' markets are important gathering places for our communities, offering opportunities to purchase fresh, nutritious food, support our farmers and learn about living a healthy lifestyle. Thanks to our partners at the Department of Health and at our participating farmers' markets, New Yorkers can now get critical information about financial assistance to enroll in healthcare coverage as well."

Individuals with low and moderate incomes (income up to $51,040 for an individual and $104,800 for a family of four) who were previously eligible for tax credits are now eligible for higher tax credits. NY State of Health automatically applied the higher tax credit without the enrollee needing to take any action. Enrollees have the opportunity to make changes by logging into their NY State of Health Account, contacting an Enrollment Assistor or calling NY State of Health at 1-855-355-5777.

Before the American Rescue Plan, tax credits were not available to higher income consumers (individuals earning more than $51,040 and a family of four earning more than $104,800). Through the American Rescue Plan, higher-income individuals and families are now eligible for the federal tax credits. These federal tax credits are only available if individuals enroll in a health plan through NY State of Health.

To allow as many consumers as possible to access these enhanced tax credits, and in light of the COVID-19 pandemic, the 2021 Open Enrollment Period has been extended through December 31, 2021.Consumers can apply for coverage through www.nystateofhealth.ny.gov by phone at 1-855-355-5777 and by connecting with a free enrollment assistor.

Details on which farmers' market locations will have NY State of Health Assistors on site are included here: https://info.nystateofhealth.ny.gov/events?distance%5bpostal_code%5d=&distance%5bsearch_distance%5d=20&distance%5bsearch_units%5d=mile&city=&combine=farmers&field_event_date_value_1%5bmin%5d%5bdate%5d=&field_event_date_value_1%5bmax%5d%5bdate%5d=

All health plans offered through NY State of Health cover preventive care, such as routine doctor visits and screenings, at no additional cost. For more information about Marketplace health plans and enrolling in coverage, visit: nystateofhealth.ny.gov

To read more about how NY State of Health enrollees benefit from the American Rescue Plan, please go to https://info.nystateofhealth.ny.gov/americanrescueplan