New York: @NYStateofHealth Announces 2023 Health and Dental Insurance Options

via NY State of Health:

• Consumers Can Preview Affordable and Comprehensive Plan Options Now, Enroll Starting November 16, 2022
• Enhanced Federal Financial Assistance Will Remain Available for 2023 Health Coverage

ALBANY, N.Y. (October 5, 2022) – NY State of Health, the state’s official health plan Marketplace, today announced the health and dental insurance plans offered through the Marketplace for the upcoming 2023 Open Enrollment Period. New Yorkers shopping for a Qualified Health Plan can compare plan options now and be prepared for the 2023 Open Enrollment Period, which begins on November 16, 2022 and runs through January 31, 2023.

“NY State of Health continues to be a critical resource throughout the COVID-19 public health emergency, providing over 6.7 million New Yorkers with comprehensive, affordable coverage,” NY State of Health Executive Director Danielle Holahan said. “We will continue to automatically extend consumers’ public program coverage for the duration of the federal emergency, but Qualified Health Plan coverage must be renewed for 2023. We encourage New Yorkers to begin previewing their 2023 health plan options and premiums today using the ‘Compare Plans and Estimate Cost’ tool.”

Significantly expanded federal tax credits will remain available to New Yorkers who enroll in Qualified Health Plans (QHP) in 2023. Originally enacted through the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) and extended in August through the Inflation Reduction Act, these enhanced subsidies provide New Yorkers, with an average of $1,450, to lower the cost of their monthly premium and are also available to higher-income individuals. The majority of consumers who receive premium tax credits—more than 60 percent of QHP enrollees—are not expected to see premium cost increases in 2023, and in some cases, may be able to find a better deal if they shop for a new plan. Consumers can estimate their premium costs after the enhanced federal tax credits with the NY State of Health Compare Plans and Estimate Cost tool available here.

Today, one in every three New Yorkers is enrolled in health coverage through the Marketplace.  Enrollment has increased across all marketplace programs since April 2021, when the state began implementing ARPA tax credit and Essential Plan (EP) enhancements. Additional data regarding the impact of federal and state health policy changes on individuals across New York State is provided in the NY State of Health “Health Insurance Coverage Update."

Qualified Health Plans

All 12 insurers that offered Qualified Health Plans last year will offer them again in 2023. Consumers who enroll in a QHP between November 16, 2022 and December 15, 2022 will have coverage starting January 1, 2023.

The 12 insurers offering Qualified Health Plans* in 2023 are:

• Capital District Physicians Health Plan
• Empire Blue Cross HealthPlus and Empire Blue Cross Blue Shield HealthPlus
• Excellus (Excellus Blue Cross Blue Shield in Central NY and Univera in Western NY)
• Fidelis Care
• Health Insurance Plan of Greater New York (EmblemHealth)
• Healthfirst
• Highmark (Highmark of Northeastern NY and Highmark of Western NY)
• Independent Health
• MetroPlus Health Plan
• MVP Health Care
• Oscar Insurance Corporation
• United Healthcare of New York, Inc.

*Please note:  Some individual products will be discontinued as of 12/31/22. In some cases, consumers will have to select a new plan when they renew their coverage for 2023. NY State of Health will include this information in renewal notices sent to consumers.  Consumers should pay close attention to any notices received during this time of the year and be prepared to take actions necessary to assure that they maintain coverage into 2023.

 
The Essential Plan

The Essential Plan will continue to offer comprehensive benefits, including vision and dental benefits for all enrollees with no monthly premium, no deductible and low-cost sharing.

The 12 insurers offering the Essential Plan in 2022 are:

• Capital District Physicians Health Plan
• Empire Blue Cross Blue Shield HealthPlus
• Excellus (Excellus Blue Cross Blue Shield in Central NY and Univera in Western NY
• Fidelis Care
• Health Insurance Plan of Greater New York (EmblemHealth)
• Healthfirst
• Highmark BlueCross BlueShield of Western NY
• Independent Health
• MetroPlus Health Plan
• Molina Healthcare
• MVP Health Care
• United Healthcare of New York, Inc.

Small Business Marketplace

Eligible small employers can lower the cost of offering employee coverage with the federal small employer tax credit when purchasing Small Business Marketplace-certified plans offered through NY State of Health.  There are currently more than 17,500 employers signed on with the Small Business Marketplace (SBM), the highest level since its inception in 2013. Employers can access small employer tax credits by completing a short application at nystateofhealth.ny.gov/employer.

There are seven insurers offering plans on the Small Business Marketplace in 2023:

• Capital District Physicians Health Plan
• Empire (Empire Blue Cross and Empire Blue Cross Blue Shield)
• Excellus (Excellus Blue Cross Blue Shield in Central NY and Univera in Western NY)*
• Health Insurance Plan of Greater New York (EmblemHealth)*
• MVP Health Care*
• Oscar Insurance Corporation
• United Healthcare (Oxford)

*Also offer SBM-certified Healthy NY Plans

In 2023, Healthfirst and Independent Health will no longer offer plans on the SBM.  Consumers in the counties served by these insurers will continue to have a choice of two or more insurers offering SBM-certified plans. 
Dental Plans

Dental coverage is available for adults and families in certain QHPs or through a stand-alone dental plan.  

The Marketplace will offer the following six stand-alone dental plans on the individual Marketplace:

• Delta Dental
• Empire HealthChoice Dental BlueCross and Empire Health Choice Dental Blue Cross BlueShield
• Excellus Dental and Excellus Univera Dental
• Guardian
• Healthplex
• Solstice

In 2023, Dentcare and Highmark will no longer offer dental plans on the Individual Marketplace.  Consumers in the counties served by these insurers will continue to have a choice of three or more insurers offering dental plans. 

Resources

Enrollment for 2022 coverage continues through the end of the year. Consumers can enroll or renew for 2023 QHP coverage starting November 16. Consumers are encouraged to research and compare their 2023 plans prior to the November 16 Open Enrollment date to jumpstart their application. There are several resources available to help consumers shop and compare plan options:

• Compare Plans and Estimate Cost Tool is available to view plan options side by side.
• Lists of plans by county are also available to help consumers learn what health and dental insurance plans will be available in their county in 2023.
• Plan selection resources are available in more than 20 different languages.
• Certified Enrollment Assistors can provide consumers with free step-by-step help through the enrollment process.

Essential Plan, Medicaid and Child Health Plus

Enrollment in the Essential Plan, Medicaid and Child Health Plus is open all year. NY State of Health will continue to automatically extend consumers’ public program coverage for the duration of the federal COVID-19 public health emergency.   

There are steps consumers can take now to prepare to renew coverage.  Consumers can sign up for NY State of Health text alerts to receive important health insurance updates, including when it’s time to renew, by texting START to 1-866-988-0327. Current enrollees are encouraged to update their NY State of Health account information (e.g., mailing address, phone, email) so they know when to renew.

For additional information, visit the NY State of Health website at: nystateofhealth.ny.gov or call us at 1-855-355-5777.