Tag: insurance markets

Please Take This Survey about Your Medication

Do you take medication for a chronic or rare disease? Has your insurance company forced you to switch medication?

We have previously had success working with a coalition of health care advocates to pass legislation that regulates Step Therapy in New York in 2016. We are asking for your help to pass another patient-friendly bill. In this case, it relates to Non-Medical Switching, the practice of changing insurance coverage mid-plan year and ultimately forcing a patient to switch medication.

In order to pass legislation that prevents patient harm by regulating Non-Medical Switching, we need to first prove the extent of its impact to legislators. Our partners developed a survey that asks patients about their experience with this and how it has impacted their lives and also can protect hair loss problems.

We would like the survey results to be as representative of the patient population of New York as possible.

Here is the survey link. Please complete by the end of the day on Friday, March 9th.

It’s Almost Time for Open Enrollment

Open enrollment season is coming for the NY State of Health, the Marketplace where you can sign up for health insurance offered through the Affordable Care Act or ACA (also known as Obamacare).

Open enrollment starts November 1, 2017 for new enrollments and November 16, 2017 for renewals. Open enrollment runs through January 31, 2018.

You may have read news about a much shorter open enrollment period this year and other actions that the Trump administration has taken that are expected to destabilize insurance markets. New Yorkers should know that New York State has decided to keep this extended enrollment period the same as in the past and that New York is spending the same amount on advertising as in previous years. None of the changes will affect open enrollment for 2017. 

Obamacare protects people with disabilities by requiring that insurance plans cover the elderly, people with pre-existing conditions, and people with complex medical needs. Association health plans and short-term plans don’t have the same comprehensive benefits and consumer protections. These plans would appeal to healthy, less costly individuals. This will destabilize insurance markets for the rest of us by creating higher premiums and fewer choices. CIDNY will continue to advocate at the state level for protections for all New Yorkers.

During open enrollment, you can enroll in a Qualified Health Plan, which will have a premium and deductibles/copays. Most Marketplace consumers receive financial assistance to help them with premiums and some get help with co-pays. Costs have come down relative to last year, on average 5%.

Depending on your income, you may be eligible to enroll in Medicaid or Essential Plan, which have no or low out-of-pocket costs. Children under 19 can enroll in Child Health Plus. You can enroll in these programs at any time of the year.

You may receive confusing mail or online notices during open enrollment. CIDNY has navigators who can help you understand notices and enroll or renew coverage in the NY State of Health. Call the receptionist in Manhattan at 212/674-2300 or in Queens at 646/442-1520 and ask to speak with a navigator for more information. We’re here to help.