NY State of Health Announces the Expansion of Private Health Insurance Coverage through Innovative New Program

New NY State of Health Initiative is One of Only Two Federally-Approved Programs in the Nation

Invitation to participate in NY State of Health Marketplace in 2016 issued to New York State Licensed Insurance Companies

ALBANY (April 17, 2015) - NY State of Health (NYSOH) the state's official health plan Marketplace, today announced a new program that will give New York State the flexibility to design private health insurance coverage specifically for New Yorkers with certain income levels. This innovative Basic Health Program (BHP) is one of only two programs nationwide to receive federal approval under the Affordable Care Act.

"We are excited to be among the first states in the nation to implement this option and we extend our thanks to the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services for their partnership," said NYSOH Executive Director Donna Frescatore. "Adding the Basic Health Program to the suite of health insurance options already available through New York State of Health will make coverage even more affordable for hundreds of thousands of New Yorkers."

The BHP will offer qualified individuals and families a choice of plans from high-quality, private health insurers through NY State of Heath (NYSOH), the state's official health plan Marketplace. New York State health insurers were invited to offer plans through the BHP when the NYSOH plan invitation was issued today to New York State licensed health insurance companies. The invitation includes requirements for insurer certification and recertification for Qualified Health Plans and Stand-Alone Dental Plans, and for the new Basic Health Program which will start on January 1, 2016.

All plans under the BHP will cover essential health benefits, including inpatient and outpatient care, physician services, diagnostic services and prescription drugs among others, with no annual deductible and low out-of-pocket costs. Preventive care, such as routine office visits and recommended screenings will be free. Consumers with income at or below 150 percent of the federal poverty level ($17,655 for a household of one; $36,375 for a household of four) will have no monthly premium. Those with slightly higher incomes at 200 percent of the federal poverty level ($23,540 for a household of one; $48,500 for a household of four) will have a low monthly premium of $20.

For many consumers who have already enrolled in coverage through NYSOH, the BHP will further reduce their monthly cost of having insurance and their out-of-pocket costs when they receive services.

New Yorkers will have the ability to enroll in the BHP during the 2015 NYSOH open enrollment period which begins on November 1. Enrollment can be completed through the NYSOH website, by telephone or in-person with one of NYSOH's trained assistors.

Additional information about the Basic Health Program, including details about the insurers that will be available in each county, will be available in Fall 2015.

To view the NYSOH 2016 plan invitation visit: http://info.nystateofhealth.ny.gov/invitation

About NYSOH

New York opened its Health Plan marketplace, NY State of Health, on October 2013. The Marketplace's one stop health insurance shopping experience offers high quality comprehensive plans for consumers to choose from. NY State of Health is the only place where consumers can qualify to get help paying for coverage through premium discounts or tax credits. The NY State of Health Small Business Marketplace for employers with 50 or fewer employees is open to enrollment throughout the year. Eligible New Yorkers can also enroll in Medicaid or Child Health Plus through the Marketplace all year. For more information about the NY State of Health marketplace, please visit https://nystateofhealth.ny.gov/ or call Customer Service at 1-855-355-5777.