NY State of Health Meets Swimmers at Parks Statewide to Provide Access to Affordable Health Coverage

Certified Enrollment Assistors On Site at Select Free Swim Programs Across New York State

ALBANY, N.Y. (July 17, 2019) –NY State of Health, the state's official health plan Marketplace, and the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation (State Parks) are partnering once again to provide families attending free Learn-to-Swim programs this summer with information about low-cost, quality health coverage.

Certified Enrollment Assistors will be available at select Learn-to-Swim locations, statewide, throughout July and August to offer information on health coverage options and to set up enrollment appointments. State Parks will offer free Learn-to-Swim classes for all ages and levels, varying from swim lessons to water safety classes at locations across the state. Since it began in 2013, the Learn-to-Swim program has helped nearly 18,000 children learn how to swim with instruction from State Parks lifeguards.

"Partnering with State Parks and their family-friendly Learn-to-Swim Program is an opportunity for us to educate parents and caregivers about low-cost, quality health coverage, while children learn a life-long skill vital to their safety," said NY State of Health Executive Director Donna Frescatore. "Our assistors will be on site at select locations to share information about health plans and the enrollment process."

"Knowing how to swim is a valuable, life-long skill that helps keep children safe, promotes a healthy lifestyle and gives them a connection to the outdoors," said State Parks Commissioner Erik Kulleseid. "Along with our partners in the Learn-to-Swim program, we are taking steps that can both save and enrich lives."

Details on which Learn-to-Swim locations will have NY State of Health Assistors on site are included here.

While the 2019 Open Enrollment Period for Qualified Health Plans has ended, enrollment in the Essential Plan, Medicaid and Child Health Plus is available year round for those who qualify, and consumers who have recently experienced a qualifying life event may be eligible to enroll in a Qualified Health Plan through a special enrollment period.

All health plans offered through NY State of Health cover preventative care, such as routine doctor visits and screenings, at no additional cost. For more information about Marketplace health plans and enrolling, visit: nystateofhealth.ny.gov.