Open enrollment in NY’s health plan starts Nov. 1

Sept. 08--NY State of Health, the state's official health plan insurance marketplace announced Thursday that the open enrollment period for 2018 qualified health plan coverage will begin Nov. 1 and end Jan. 31. In the states that use the federal marketplace, HealthCare.gov, the federal government has set Dec. 15, as the end date for open enrollment.

But because New York operates its own marketplace, the state has flexibility to set its open enrollment period dates. New York is exercising this authority to ensure people have sufficient time to enroll. NY State of Health expects to enroll for more than 400,000 households.

Individuals currently enrolled in a plan through NY State of Health will receive October notices about how to renew their coverage for 2018. Consumers whose plans are discontinuing in 2018 -- Affinity and CareConnect, which enrolled less than 3 percent and 5 percent of individuals respectively -- will have options from other insurers. Individuals will have six or more insurer options in 2018.

Details about 2018 plan options will be released in late September. Enrollment in the Essential Plan, Medicaid and Child Health Plus is open all year. For more information about NY State of Health, visit nystateofhealth.ny.gov or call 1-855-355-5777.

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