The New York Health Benefit Exchange, the state’s health-insurance exchange under the federal health-care reform law, is now called “NY State of Health.” Donna Frescatore, executive director of the New York Health Benefit Exchange, on Aug. 20 made the announcement during a late-morning, online presentation. DDB New York, a New York City advertising […]
The New York Health Benefit Exchange, the state’s health-insurance exchange under the federal health-care reform law, is now called “NY State of Health.”
Donna Frescatore, executive director of the New York Health Benefit Exchange, on Aug. 20 made the announcement during a late-morning, online presentation.
DDB New York, a New York City advertising agency, developed the new name and logo and the accompanying advertising campaign that will launch in the fall, according to Frescatore.
Leo Mamorsky, executive-group account director from DDB New York, joined Frescatore on camera during the announcement to explain the meaning of the new name.
“Our work focused on creating a name that is distinctive and unique to New York that is emotional, not just a functional description, and will last for years and truly stand for something all New Yorkers can be proud of,” Mamorsky said.
NY State of Health is described as a marketplace for New Yorkers to buy “affordable, comprehensive coverage,” Frescatore said.
The exchange is preparing for the open-enrollment period beginning on Oct. 1, the period when New Yorkers “can shop, compare, and enroll in low cost, high-quality health plans,” she added.
The health-care reform law, officially known as the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act of 2010, requires individuals to have health-insurance coverage as of Jan. 1, 2014, or pay a penalty.
In her online presentation, Frescatore also provided an update on the steps the health-benefit exchange has taken to prepare for the open-enrollment period.
The New York Health Benefit Exchange in July announced the navigator program, which provided grants to 50 organizations that will provide enrollment assistance across New York, Frescatore said.
“Training and certification of navigators begins next week throughout the state,” she added.
Hundreds of licensed insurance brokers have already completed training and others will complete their training in the coming weeks, Frescatore said.
In addition, NY State of Health has started the training process for its customer-service specialists.
“They will be prepared to start answering questions from New Yorkers in mid-September,” Frescatore said.
New Yorkers “can be assured” that they will have “qualified, trained individuals ready to assist them in all areas of the state,” she contended.
Gov. Cuomo in July also announced approval of rates for health-insurance plans that will participate in the exchange.
Participating health plans
Some of the health plans that will participate in the exchange include Rochester–based Excellus BlueCross BlueShield (BCBS), which is Central New York’s largest health insurer.
The approved carriers also include Schenectady–based MVP Health Care; Minnetonka, Minn.–based UnitedHealthcare; and Albany–based Capital District Physicians’ Health Plan.
The Albany–based Fidelis Care is also included in the group of approved carriers
The health insurer has been preparing to participate in the exchange “for over a year,” the company said in an Aug. 20 news release.
The process involved all Fidelis Care departments, additional hiring, and a “particular emphasis” on developing and improving its information-technology infrastructure, the company said.
Fidelis Care operates a regional office at 5010 Campuswood Dr. in DeWitt.
Health plans available through the exchange are organized by “metal” levels, including bronze, silver, gold, and platinum, and are based on benefit design and level of cost sharing, according to Fidelis Care.
Frescatore also addressed the cost issue during her announcement.
“[Gov.] Cuomo had previously announced that, on average, premiums for individuals who buy their coverage directly will be reduced by 53 percent from today’s premiums,” she said.
In addition, more than 75 percent of New Yorkers who buy coverage for themselves will qualify for tax credits to help them further reduce their costs
A new tax-credit calculator is available on the website where individuals can see the tax credits they may qualify for and the cost of various plans that serve their area, she said.
To see what plans are available in their area, New Yorkers can access an interactive map on the exchange’s website, NYStateofHealth.ny.gov, Frescatore said.
Contact Reinhardt at ereinhardt@cnybj.com