NY State of Health says 812,000 have signed up

More than 812,000 New Yorkers had enrolled for health-insurance coverage through NY State of Health, the state’s health-insurance marketplace, as of 9 a.m. Sunday morning. That’s according to a news release on its website.

NY State of Health did not break down how many of the 812,000 people enrolled in private insurance and how many people were eligible to sign up for Medicaid plans. However, past data from state and federal officials indicates it’s roughly a 50-50 split in New York.

More than 1.16 million have completed their applications for health-insurance coverage since the launch of NY State of Health last Oct. 1, according to the news release.

New Yorkers who want to enroll for health-care coverage in 2014 through the Affordable Care Act have until 11:59 p.m. Monday night when the enrollment period closes.

However, the state health exchange will provide additional assistance to those individuals who have taken steps to apply for coverage but have been unable to complete the enrollment process before the March 31 deadline, NY State of Health said.

All applications and enrollments in health plans must then be completed by the end of the day on April 15, it added.

More than 70 percent of those who have signed up to date were uninsured at the time of application, according to the NY State of Health news release.

With the exception of individuals who took steps to enroll prior to the March 31 deadline, yet require assistance after March 31, only those individuals and families who qualify for a special-enrollment period can enroll for coverage in 2014 beginning Tuesday.

Events qualifying for the special-enrollment period include getting married or divorced, gaining a dependent, losing employer insurance, or permanently moving into New York.

Individuals and families who do not qualify for a special-enrollment period will not be able to enroll in coverage until the next open–enrollment period, which begins on Nov. 15 for coverage starting on Jan. 1, 2015.

New Yorkers eligible for Medicaid and all children can enroll in coverage through NY State of Health at any time during the year, the release stated.

NY State of Health’s Small Business Marketplace for employers with 50 or fewer employees is open to enrollment throughout the year.

Plans offered on NY State of Health are available in four metal tiers (platinum, gold, silver, and bronze) from 16 insurers and 10 dental insurers, the news release said.

Contact Reinhardt at ereinhardt@cnybj.com