NY State of Health Promotes Affordable Health Coverage at More Than a Dozen Winter Farmers Markets Across the State

ALBANY, New York, March 1 -- The New York State Department of Health issued the following news release:

NY State of Health, the state's official health plan Marketplace, today announced an effort to educate shoppers about affordable health insurance coverage at 14 winter farmers markets during the month of March. Certified enrollment assistors will be available to talk with shoppers about low-cost, quality health coverage.

"Our focus continues to be on reaching remaining uninsured New Yorkers in convenient locations, such as farmers markets." said NY State of Health Executive Director Donna Frescatore. "Our success reaching consumers through summer markets makes branching out to the winter markets in these areas a natural next step in our outreach efforts."

NY State of Health assistors will be on site:

March 2, 2018

* Union Square Green Market, E. 17th St. & Broadway, Manhattan, West & North side of Park, 9am-3pm

March 3, 2018

* Glens Falls Winter Farmers Market, 10 Sandford St., Glens Falls, (Sandford St School), 9am-12pm

* Ossining Farmers Market, 100 Main St., Ossining, 9am-1pm

* Morningside Park Farmers Market, W 110th St. & Manhattan Ave., Manhattan, 9am-4pm

* Dolgeville Winter Farmers Market, 78 South Main St. Askarada Place, Dolgeville, 9am-1pm

* St George Greenmarket, St. Mark's Place and Hyatt Street, Staten Island, 9am-2pm

March 4, 2018

* Brighton Winter Farmer's Market, 220 Idlewood Rd. (Brookside Center), Rochester, 1pm-4pm

* Schenectady Winter Greenmarket, 432 State St. (Proctors Theater), Schenectady, 10am- 2pm

* McGolrick Park Winter Farmers Market, Park Church Co-op, 129 Russell St., Brooklyn, 10am-4pm

March 10, 2018

* Oneida County Winter Farmers Market, 321 Main St. (inside main lobby union station), Utica, 9am-1pm

* Baltimore Woods Winter Farmers Market, 4007 Bishop Hill Road (Baltimore Woods Nature Center), Marcellus, 10am-1pm

* Inwood Greenmarket, Isham St., Isham Park, btw Seaman Ave. & Cooper St., Manhattan, 8am-3pm

March 17, 2018

* Mamaroneck Farmers Market, 168 W. Boston Post Rd (St Thomas Episcopal Church), Mamaroneck, 9am-1pm

"Eating right and access to quality health care are pillars of a healthy lifestyle", State Agriculture Commissioner Richard A. Ball said. "Farmers' markets are a great place to connect the dots and educate uninsured New Yorkers about the coverage they deserve. I encourage shoppers to meet with the enrollment assistors on-hand to learn more about their options."

All health plans offered through NY State of Health cover preventive care, such as routine doctor visits and screenings, at no additional cost. Enrollment in Medicaid, Child Health Plus and the Essential Plan is open all year. While the 2018 Open Enrollment Period for Qualified Health Plans has ended, some consumers who have recently experienced a major life change may be eligible to enroll through a special enrollment period.