New Year's Greeting from OCHIA

Last Updated: December 31, 2013

Wishing all New Yorkers a Happy And Healthy Holiday Season And New Year. To view the animated card, open Internet Explorer then click here.

News & Tips for Using NY State of Health

Last Updated: December 20, 2013

As the new deadline of December 24, 2013 to enroll for coverage starting on January 1, 2014 looms, we've put together some News & Tips to help you find the best health care plan for you as you explore your options on the New York State of Health (NYSOH).

Our News & Tips Sheet links you to lots of helpful information – including videos that show you what to expect when you apply for coverage through NYSOH and where to find the Individual and Small business Tax Credit Calculators on NYSOH. There's also resources for application assistors.

Don't forget take advantage of the educational resources offered on our HI Link website.

Get Health Insurance by March 31, 2014 to Avoid Paying a Penalty for Being Uninsured

Last updated: October 31, 2013

The federal government recently clarified that if you enroll in health insurance during the initial open enrollment period – which runs from October 1, 2013 through March 31,2014 – you won't have to pay a penalty for being uninsured before this coverage starts. Read more

Even though you won't pay a penalty if you wait to enroll, health insurance is important and with the new tax credits and financial assistance available in NY State of Health, most uninsured New Yorkers are expected to qualify for lower cost coverage. If you sign up and pay for insurance before December 15th, 2013, your coverage can start by January 1, 2014. Visit nystateofhealth.ny.gov to enroll today.

Remember the Affordable Care Act (ACA) requires nearly all residents get health insurance by January 1, 2014, or else pay a penalty when they file their taxes, unless they can claim an exemption. Learn more about penalties and exemptions for individuals, including the exemption you can claim if you wait until the end of open enrollment to get coverage.

NY State of Health, The Official Health Plan Marketplace, is now open

Last Updated: October 1, 2013

October 1^st marks the opening of NY State of Health, an online marketplace where individuals, families, and small businesses can shop and sign up for private health insurance. Through this Marketplace, New Yorkers can find out if they can get tax credits to lower their health insurance costs.

New Yorkers can choose from 4 different tiers of coverage--Platinum, Gold, Silver, and Bronze-- to find a plan that fits their budget and health care needs. Read more about what NY State of Health offers residents and small businesses on our website.

Visit the NY State of Health to get health insurance.

Find Out Where You Can Get Help Signing Up for Health Insurance

Last Updated: September 30, 2013

NY State of Health, the Official Health Plan Marketplace, has released a schedule of the times and locations where New Yorkers get help signing up for health insurance. Called in-Person Assistors (IPAs) or Navigators, these individuals are trained and certified by the state to help individuals, families, small businesses and their employees who apply for health insurance through the Marketplace. See the location and site schedule.

New York Announces Names of In-Person Assistors / Navigator Grantees

Last Updated: August 05, 2013

New York State has awarded grants to 50 organizations to serve as in-person assistors / navigators in New York City, See a list of the organizations that have been awarded grants in your borough.

In-person assistors / navigators will help residents get health insurance in the NY Health Benefit Exchange starting in October 2013. These assistors can help:

• Individuals
• Families
• Small businesses and their employees.

In-person assistors and navigators must meet certain federal and state standards. These standards include the successful completion of a training program and certification by the Exchange. Additionally, when helping residents and businesses, assistors and navigators must provide fair and impartial information in a manner that is culturally and linguistically appropriate.

A total of 50 organizations have received grants statewide. At this point, all of these awards are conditional, pending successful completion of State prequalification and approval processes.

Healthy NY Program Is Ending For Individuals and Sole Proprietors

Last Updated: July 16, 2013

All Healthy NY individual and sole proprietor contracts will end on December 31, 2013. If you currently have Healthy NY coverage on your own (not through an employer), you will need to enroll in a different health insurance plan before January 1, 2014 to avoid a gap in coverage. Learn more about these changes.

Beginning October 1, 2013, you can look for health insurance through the NY Health Benefit Exchange. Learn more about the Exchange.

If you would like to enroll in Healthy NY for the remainder of 2013, you can still do so, but this coverage will end on December 31, 2013. Learn more about the Healthy NY program and how to apply.

Healthy NY Plans will Change for Small Businesses in 2014

Last Updated: July 15, 2013

Healthy NY, a state subsidized health plan for eligible small businesses, will have new benefits as of January 1, 2014.

• If you offer Healthy NY to your employees – your current Healthy NY plan will no longer be offered after January 1, 2014, but new Healthy NY plans will be available. These new plans will include additional benefits required under the Affordable Care Act. You will be able to move to a new Healthy NY plan at the end of 2013.
• If you want to start offering insurance – eligible small businesses will still be able to purchase a Healthy NY plan outside of the NYS Health Benefit Exchange in 2014.
• Learn more about how Healthy NY plans will change for small businesses .

Small businesses will also be able to access new coverage options on the New York State Health Benefit Exchange starting October 1, 2014. In the Exchange, eligible small business can also receive a tax credit for up to 50 percent of their health insurance costs.

Get more information about coverage options for small businesses available through the New York State Exchange.

Large Employers Won't Face A Penalty For Not Offering Insurance in 2014

Last Updated: July 03, 2013

The Obama administration is delaying until 2015 the enforcement of the employer mandate.

The Affordable Care Act requires businesses with 50 or more employees to provide their workers with health insurance coverage in 2014, or else pay a penalty. Now, employers won't pay a penalty for not covering their full-time workers in 2014.

According to the U.S. Treasury website, the delay is intended to give the government additional time to simplify reporting requirements and adapt health coverage and reporting systems.

This delay applies only to business penalties:

• Most individuals are still required to have health insurance or pay a fine starting in 2014.
• Both individuals and small businesses with 50 or fewer employees will still be able to shop for and enroll in health insurance through the NY Health Benefit Exchange.
• Employees who do not get coverage through their employers will continue to be eligible for tax subsidies to help pay for their own health insurance.
• Eligible small businesses will continue to be eligible for the health care tax credit to help them pay for employee coverage.