Affinity Health Plan Dental

Albany, N.Y. (October 6, 2016) - NY State of Health, the state's official health plan Marketplace, today announced the insurers offering health and dental plans to individuals and small business owners in 2017. 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.

"Since its start three years ago, NY State of Health has had tremendous success, enrolling more than 2.8 million New Yorkers in affordable coverage through the Marketplace." said NY State of Health Executive Director, Donna Frescatore. "We are pleased to announce the plans that will be offered in 2017, including a new option for consumers qualifying for Essential Plan coverage."

Open enrollment for New Yorkers looking for affordable health coverage through Qualified Health Plans begins on November 1, 2016 and runs through January 31, 2017. Consumers are encouraged to shop for the best value. The amount of tax credits changes each year, and many individuals will find that they are eligible for increased federal financial assistance to help make coverage more affordable.

The insurers that will offer Qualified Health Plans on the Individual Marketplace in 2017 are:

• Affinity Health Plan
• Capital District Physicians Health Plan
• CareConnect Insurance Company
• Empire BlueCross and Empire Blue Cross Blue Shield
• 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 New York
• HealthNow New York, Inc. (BlueShield of Northeastern NY; BlueCross BlueShield of Western NY)
• Independent Health
• MetroPlus Health Plan
• MVP Health Plan, Inc.
• Oscar Insurance Corporation
• United Healthcare of New York, Inc.

The same plans are available to consumers in 2017 as in the current year, with the exception of Wellcare, which impacts fewer than 1, 000 Qualified Health Plan enrollees. Wellcare will continue to offer Medicaid, Child Health Plus, and Essential Plan coverage through the Marketplace. Individuals have already been notified of this change and will also receive a renewal notice providing information about how to select another plan for 2017.NY State of Health Customer Service Center and in person enrollers will be available to assist Wellcare consumers with this transition to new coverage. As always, all consumers are encouraged to shop the Marketplace for the most affordable plan.

All Qualified Health Plans offer the 10 essential health benefits, and some options offer additional services such as adult dental and vision coverage in 2017. Five insurers will offer options that cover a specific number of sick-doctor visits, not subject to a deductible.

NY State of Health's Essential Plan designed for lower income New Yorkers launched in 2016 and has met with enormous 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 insurers that will offer the Essential Plan in 2017 are:

• Crystal Run Health Plan
• Healthfirst
• HealthNow New York, Inc. (BlueCross BlueShield of Western NY)
• HealthPlus HP (Empire BlueCross BlueShield HealthPlus)
• MVP Health Care
• United Healthcare
• WellCare of New York
• YourCare Health Plan

These are the same plans currently available, with the addition of HealthNow, which will offer Essential Plan coverage in western New York.

NY State of Health's Small Business Marketplace offers flexible options for small businesses with 100 or fewer employees. Employers can select the amount they want to contribute toward the cost of their employee's coverage and offer their employees a choice of health plan options without the administrative hassle.

The insurers that will be offered on the Small Business Marketplace, or SHOP, in 2017 are:

• Capital District Physicians Health Plan, Inc.
• HealthNow (BlueShield of Northeastern NY; BlueCross BlueShield of Western NY)

The Marketplace will also offer the following stand-alone dental plans:

• Delta Dental Insurance Company
• Dentcare
• Dentegra Insurance Company
• Empire BlueCross and Empire Blue Cross BlueShield
• Guardian (expanded to the Individual Marketplace in 2015)
• Healthplex
• MetLife (offered on the Small Business Marketplace only)
• Solstice

EmblemHealth previously offered a stand-alone dental plan, but in 2017 will instead offer pediatric dental as part of its Qualified Health Plan.

Individuals who are currently enrolled in the Marketplace will receive information about renewing their coverage for 2017 directly from the Marketplace. Consumers who are new to the Marketplace will be able to enroll in coverage for 2017 when the open enrollment period begins on November 1, 2016.