NY State of Health Drives Home the Importance of Affordable Health Coverage with Ridesharing Partnerships
Collaborations with Lyft, Uber, Independent Drivers Guild Reach Drivers Across NYS
ALBANY, NY (November 9, 2018) – NY State of Health, the state's official health plan Marketplace, today announced it is partnering again during the Open Enrollment Period with ridesharing companies Lyft and Uber, and with the Independent Drivers Guild. Through the partnership, tens of thousands of drivers throughout New York State will be urged to visit the Marketplace to shop for and enroll in quality, affordable health insurance. Open Enrollment for 2019 coverage began November 1. Consumers must enroll by December 15, 2018 for coverage beginning January 1, 2019.
"Often independent contractors who work for themselves through a ridesharing company don't have health insurance and they may not be aware that they have good, low-cost health plan choices through the Marketplace," said NY State of Health Executive Director Donna Frescatore. "By reaching drivers as they interact with the companies they contract with, we can easily let them know how to get quality, affordable health coverage."
Outreach to drivers will include:
- Information sessions
- Distribution of educational materials
- Email and text campaign to drivers
- Promotion through online driver portals
The partnership runs through January 31, 2019, the end of the 2019 Open Enrollment Period.
"Drivers are core to everything we do, and we want to ensure they're taken care of," said Ann Ferracane, General Manager of Lyft New York. "Whether someone is driving with Lyft while they go to school, care for a family member, or pursue another goal, we want to ensure everyone has access to healthcare so we're proud to come together with NY State of Health."
"Uber is proud to team up with NY State ofHealthto spread the word about affordablehealthinsurance plans and coverage options available to New Yorkers through the Marketplace," said Brian Hughes, Uber NY General Manager. "Through in-app messages, emails, and in-person information sessions, we will help inform thousands of drivers about the opportunity to enroll."
"We are excited to collaborate with NY State of Health in an effort to reach drivers that do not have health coverage," said Andrew Greenblatt, President of Independent Drivers Guild Benefits Fund, a non-profit that helps drivers get access to benefits. "This program is crucial because most drivers and their families qualify for free or low-cost health insurance coverage and many don't know it.
Consumers who are eligible for a Qualified Health Plan with federal tax credits will see no or little increase in monthly costs.Bronze level Qualified Health Plans will be free to individuals with incomes up to $25,000 and not eligible for Medicaid or the Essential Plan in every county of the state, and less than $50 a month for individuals with incomes up to $30,000 a year in 41 counties. Bronze level Qualified Health Plans provide no-cost preventive care and protect against catastrophic costs despite having a higher annual deductible than other available plans.
Many drivers may qualify for free or very low-cost health insurance coverage through Medicaid or the Essential Plan. 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 the Essential Plan, Medicaid and Child Health Plus is open all year. For information about Marketplace health plans and enrolling, visit: www.nystateofhealth.ny.gov.
