ALBANY, N.Y. (December 12, 2014) - The NYS Department of Health today announced an extension of the December 15 deadline for enrolling or renewing health insurance coverage through the NY State of Health (NYSOH) Marketplace. The deadline to apply for or renew coverage that takes effect January 1 has been extended through December 20. The extension gives consumers more time to enroll, in light of November’s extreme winter weather.
“NYSOH has experienced active enrollment since the start of 2015 period and we’re committed to keep the momentum going to get New Yorkers covered,” said NYSOH Executive Director Donna Frescatore. “The extreme weather that parts of the state experienced in November has effectively cut short the enrollment period for many consumers who are making decisions about 2015 coverage options or enrolling in coverage for the first time. By extending the deadline - in an already condensed enrollment period - we are ensuring that all New Yorkers have the same opportunity to start the new year with affordable coverage in a plan that’s right for them.”
NYSOH decided to extend the December 15 deadline after last month’s extreme winter weather covered Western New York and other parts of the state in multiple feet of snow, making it unsafe for people to attend in-person enrollment activities. In many cases, the sheer volume of snow – more than seven feet in some areas – that resulted in significant power outages, road closures, and suspension of public transportation, prevented New Yorkers from being able to access in-person enrollment assistance from navigators, insurance brokers and other certified assistors. Nearly half of New Yorkers who enrolled through NY State of Health in the first open enrollment period worked with an in-person assistor. read more >>