I'm uninsured and living in New York. What are my health insurance options?

Every New Yorker is guaranteed the right to buy health insurance. New Yorkers cannot be discriminated against because of their health status or age. However, a pre-existing condition waiting period may be imposed on you for up to 12 months if you let your insurance lapse for more than 63 days. You should always make sure you have continuous health insurance coverage in order to avoid such a waiting period.

You have three basic options for obtaining health insurance as an individual other than employer or union plans in New York:

1. Private Health Insurance
2. Health Insurance through Associations
3. Health Insurance through Income Eligible Programs

POS - You may see doctors outside of your plan's network, but you will be responsible for at least 20% of the cost of your care in addition to your copay, plus a deductible as high as $1, 000. Additionally, the premiums will be much higher for the POS plans.

Choose your county and find out the current rates for HMO and POS plans in your area

Health Insurance through Associations
If you cannot afford any of the plans listed above, you may want to consider the option of joining an association and purchasing insurance as one of its members. When you purchase health insurance at a "group" rate, you usually have a lower premium. Working Today and Media Bistro are two such associations that offer HMO plans in New York. Each of these organizations has its own eligibility requirements.

National nonprofit organization offering health insurance and other benefits to independent workers, small businesses and not-fot-profit organizations.

Since 1965, The Entertainment Industry Group Insurance Trust (TEIGIT) has administered health insurance plans for members of participating associations in the arts and entertainment industry. Enrollment is automatic for members who meet the eligibility requirements.

The AvantGuild, mediabistro.com's paid membership association, is dedicated to anyone who creates or works with content, or who works in a content/creative industry. Mediabistro offers a variety of affordable plans for freelancers and other media professionals.

For DTW members who reside in New York City’s boroughs and Nassau, Suffolk, Orange, Rockland and Westchester Counties of New York State. Two plans with different co-pays are offered through HIP.  Quarterly rates include a $15 processing fee. There is no monthly billing option.  See site for premiums, benefits and eligibility details.

Income Based Health Insurance Programs
If you cannot afford private insurance or insurance through associations, you may be eligible for goverment subsidized programs that have been designed to help keep New Yorkers healthy and insured.

Limitations: $3,000 cap on prescriptions, no mental health coverage, no physical therapy, $500 copay per hospital admission.

If your COBRA coverage is from an Entertainment Union, then you may be eligible for New York State's COBRA Subsidy Program. Click on the above link for the application or for more information call 1-800-342-3736 (Note: Press any number in order to get to a representative and ask about the COBRA Subsidy Bill.

Family Health Plus is a public health insurance program for adults between the ages of 19 and 64 who do not have health insurance either on their own or through their employers but have incomes too high to qualify for Medicaid. Family Health Plus is available to single adults, couples without children, and parents with limited income who are residents of New York State and are United States citizens or fall under one of many immigration categories. Family Health Plus provides comprehensive coverage, including prevention, primary care, hospitalization, prescriptions and other services.

Medicaid is a program for New Yorkers who can't afford to pay for medical care.
Please note: The income eligibility is listed as "Net Income". In this situation "net income" does not mean income after taxes. Income deductions may be made based on your current situation. Additionally, you may submit a paid or unpaid bill at your local Medicaid office in order to spend down your excess income.

Depending on your family's income, your child may be eligible to join either Child Health Plus A (formerly Children's Medicaid) or Child Health Plus B. Both Child Heath Plus A and B are available through dozens of providers throughout the state. The monthly premium is $0, $9, or $15 depending on income. Families with incomes above the limit may purchase Child Health Plus for the full monthly premium charged by the health plan.

With both Child Health Plus A and B, most of your child's health needs will be covered. In addition, Child Health Plus A covers transportation to doctor's appointments and orthodontia treatment. Child Health Plus A also has an added guarantee that provides for all medically necessary treatment.

HHC Options is not an insurance product; it is a financial assistance program that will assist patients in applying for government-sponsored health insurance and will reduce the patient’s bill to an affordable level. Depending on a patient’s income, family size and assets, HHC will develop an affordable payment plan for that patient. Every HHC patient with income below 400% of the federal poverty level is eligible for some kind of financial assistance regardless of immigration status.

www.ahirc.org