Final Days for New Yorkers to Get 2015 Affordable Health Coverage
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By Mike Clifford, Public News Service - NY, Contact
February 9, 2015NEW YORK - This is the week that will decide how many New Yorkers end up getting health coverage under the Affordable Care Act for 2015.
Heidi Siegfried, project director with New Yorkers for Accessible Health Coverage, says with the deadline falling on the weekend, this Sunday, they are working extra hard to get the word that there's no time left to delay.
"If you're living without health insurance now is the time to find a low-cost plan and peace of mind and knowing that you're covered," Siegfried says. "Because the deadline to sign-up is Feb. 15."
New Yorkers comfortable with the Internet can do a search for "New York State of Health" to get to the website. There is also an easy link to get there at the cidny.org website.
Siegfried says people with disabilities are more likely to have health coverage than the average New Yorker; but she's surprised how many are still uninsured.
"If you have a disability and you go to the New York State of Health Marketplace and say you have a disability," she says. "They may say you might have a better situation if you go to Medicaid."
Siegfried says this is the first year there will be a line on your tax form where you declare you have coverage. Those with no coverage pay a penalty. She urges New Yorkers to avoid that penalty by getting coverage.
"New York has enrolled over two million New Yorkers in affordable health coverage; and neatly three-quarters of those people have gotten tax credits to lower the cost of their coverage, premiums and co-pays," says Siegfried. "So it really has made it affordable for people."
There is sign-up help available by telephone, toll-free at 855-355-5777.
