Mayor Zohran Kwame Mamdani, the NYC Health Department and NYC Health + Hospitals announced an expanded outreach effort to protect more than 200,000 New Yorkers from losing healthcare coverage as changes to the Essential Plan caused by federal disinvestment go into effect July 1.
New Yorkers who need assistance are encouraged to call 311 and ask for âhelp with health coverageâ or text âCoveredNYCâ to 55676 for multilingual guidance on finding alternative coverage options, including NYC Care. City services include comprehensive primary and preventative care.
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âHealth care is a human right, not a privilege reserved for those who can afford it. No New Yorker should be skipping doctorâs appointments, ignoring concerning symptoms, or risking bankruptcy because they cannot afford to see a doctor. While the federal government chooses to take health care away from working people, New York is choosing a different path,â said Mayor Zohran Mamdani. âWe are making sure every New Yorker knows where they can turn for affordable care, enrollment assistance and the services they need. We want every New Yorker to know that city government has their back.â
“As the federal government attacks those most in need of health care, New York City is standing up to provide health services that are both affordable and accessible,” said Deputy Mayor for Health and Human Services Dr. Helen Arteaga. “The NYC Health Department and NYC Health + Hospitals do critical work by providing low- and no-cost health services, counseling, and otherresources across the five boroughs, and with hundreds of thousands of New Yorkers at risk of losing coverage, we must get the word out that these lifelines are available to any person who needs help.”
âAs an ER doctor, Iâve seen firsthand what happens when people lose their health coverage. They donât stop getting sick â they stop getting care until itâs an emergency,â said NYC Health Commissioner Dr. Alister F. Martin. âAccess to affordable coverage is a lifeline. The NYC Health Department is ready to meet New Yorkers where they are and make sure no one loses coverage because they didnât know help was available.â
“At NYC Health + Hospitals we are urging our patients to remain in care, keep taking their medications, and attend their scheduled appointments,” said Mitchell Katz, MD, President and CEO of NYC Health + Hospitals. “Our financial counselors are ready to help existing and new patients identify a new health insurance option or one of four dedicated financial assistance programs such as NYC Care. We take care of all New Yorkers without exception.”
Federal funding cuts have caused loss of coverage for the more than 200,000 New Yorkers enrolled in the Essential Plan with incomes between 200% and 250% of the federal poverty level, which is approximately $31,920 to $39,900 annually for an individual. Although these New Yorkers no longer qualify for Essential Plan coverage, they are eligible for a âspecial enrollment periodâ and can immediately enroll in a qualified health plan through the New York State of Health Marketplace without waiting for the open enrollment period beginning this November. The special enrollment period will last for 60 days, until September 1. Enrolling in a plan through the New York State of Health marketplace anytime during this 60-day window will provide retroactive coverage for care received dating back to July 1.
Impacted New Yorkers can learn more by:
- Calling 311 to ask for âhelp with health coverageâ or call direct at 347-665-0214
- Texting âCoveredNYCâ to 55676
- Visiting nyc.gov/healthcoverage to submit
- a Health Insurance Inquiry Form
- Visiting a nearby enrollment center, which can be found using the NYC Health Map
In May, the Mamdani administration launched two citywide public awareness campaigns: a $500,000 campaign encouraging New Yorkers to sign up for free and low-cost health insurance through the NYC Health Departmentâs free enrollment services, and a NYC Health + Hospitals campaign encouraging enrollment and re-enrollment in NYC Care.
