NY State of Health 2014 Enrollment

The deadline for individuals to enroll in a health plan through the New York State of Health online insurance marketplace was March 31, 2014. According to the site, 865,487 people have enrolled in plans.  Others who have started the process but encountered difficulties may be eligible to complete the enrollment process by April 15th.  Difficulties include:

• Technological Issues
• Customer Service Center delays
• Delay in getting an appointment with an assistor
• Trouble with identity proofing

Media outlets report that roughly half of the enrollment numbers are Medicaid coverage and the other half private insurance.  Nationally, President Obama announced that 7.1 people have enrolled.

Those individuals who want to enroll through the New York exchange before this fall’s open enrollment period must have a qualifying event such as marriage, having a baby, loss of coverage, or moving to a new area. (Medicaid-eligible individuals can enroll at any time, and children can also obtain coverage at any time.) Open enrollment begins November  15, 2014 for coverage beginning January 1, 2015.  For more information go to: www.nystateofhealth.ny.gov