Albany, NY - August 12, 2016 - The New York State Health Department today announced the availability of demographic information on the more than 2.8 million people signed up for health insurance through the end of the 2016 open enrollment period on January 31, 2016.  The data show that enrollment in the Marketplace increased by 33 percent, or nearly 700,000 enrollees from the previous enrollment period; 92 percent of those enrolled through the Marketplace report that they did not have health insurance at the time they applied.

New York has significantly reduced the number of uninsured since the Marketplace opened in 2013. The number of uninsured New Yorkers has declined by nearly 850,000. The rate of uninsured declined from 10 percent to 5 percent between 2013 and September 2015, according to data recently released by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.  These data do not yet reflect the impact of the 2016 open enrollment period.

“New York has lead the nation in implementing a progressive plan to make access to health care a reality for New Yorkers, said State Health Commissioner Dr. Howard Zucker. “Hundreds of thousands of New Yorkers now have the financial security and peace of mind of knowing that they can get preventive care or treatment if they or a family member becomes ill.”

NY State of Health’s Essential Plan designed for lower income New Yorkers launched in 2016 has met with tremendous success.  The Essential Plan lowers premiums to $20 or less a month and provides comprehensive benefits with no annual deductibles, free preventive care, and low copayments.

“The success of the NY State of Health marketplace continues,” said NYSOH Executive Director Donna Frescatore. “Marketplace enrollment gains have helped drive the state’s uninsured rate to its lowest point in decades and the new Essential Plan is successfully bridging the gap for lower-income New Yorkers by offering a comprehensive and even more affordable health insurance option.”

The complete 2016 Open Enrollment Report is available on the NYSOH website. 

Fast Facts summarizing the Open Enrollment Period are also available here.

About NY State of Health
New York opened its Health Plan Marketplace, NY State of Health, in October 2013. The Marketplace’s one stop health insurance shopping experience offers high quality comprehensive health plans. NY State of Health is the only place where consumers can qualify to get help paying for coverage through premium discounts or tax credits. Eligible New Yorkers can also enroll in Medicaid, Child Health Plus and the Essential Plan through the Marketplace all year.  For more information about the NY State of Health Marketplace, please visit: here or call Customer Service at 1-855-355-5777, TTY: 1.800.662.1220 or find an enrollment assistor.