NEW ROCHELLE, NY — This Saturday, November 15th marks the start of the second year of the “open enrollment” period for the NYS of Health Marketplace. The Open Enrollment period will be from November 15, 2014 through February 15, 2015; however, for coverage to begin on January 1st, residents must enroll in a plan by December 15th. Automatic renewal notices are being sent out to last year enrollees. People who do not want to change their coverage in 2015 and whose application status is unchanged from last year do not need to take any action.
To help residents and small business owners understand and access the Marketplace, Westchester County Health Department will have seven “Navigators” available at 26 locations throughout the county including libraries, healthcare agencies and government offices. Weekday, evening and weekend hours are available by appointment and during set hours. Navigator services are free and available in English and Spanish. To reach a Navigator, call 914-813-5192 or email hnav@westchestergov.com. For a map with a listing of Navigator schedules, locations and directions, go to www.westchestergov.com/health.
“Our navigators are ready to assist residents to access health insurance,” said Westchester County Health Commissioner Sherlita Amler, MD. “We encourage residents to call us for help in selecting a health insurance plan that fits their budget and provides the coverage they need.”
Navigators will help residents evaluate their eligibility, inform them of available subsidies, compare options and enroll them in a health insurance plan of their choice. Navigators are also available to help families and individuals enroll year-round in Medicaid and Child Health Plus, a state public health plan for children.
More information about health plans is available at www.nystateofhealth.ny.gov or by calling 1-855-355-5777. New York State of Health Customer Service hours are M-F, 8am-8pm, Saturday, 9am-1pm with expanded hours starting in December. Residents also can enroll online on their own through this portal, or can do so with the help of a Navigator.
For additional information, like us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/wchealthdept, follow us on Twitter @wchealthdept or visit our website at www.westchestergov.com/health.