New York: @NYStateofHealth awarded $1.1 million to help more New Yorkers get affordable healthcare coverage

via NY State of Health:

• State Receives Marketplace Modernization Grant, Awarded by Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) Under American Rescue Plan Act  

ALBANY, N.Y. (September 17, 2021) – NY State of Health, the state’s official health plan Marketplace, today announced it has been awarded a Marketplace Modernization Grant by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS).  This funding, a total of $1.1 million dollars, the maximum awarded to state-based marketplaces, has been made available by the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) of 2021 for the purpose of modernizing or updating state technology systems and/or conducting targeted consumer outreach activities that can improve access to health coverage for consumers.  

Modernization Grant funding will support New York’s Information Technology system development needs for the Marketplace and increase consumer education and outreach necessary as a result of the new ARPA federal requirements and enhanced financial assistance.  Building on the State’s strong commitment to health equity, using this funding the State aims to increase awareness of ARPA’s enhanced federal premium tax credits for eligible New Yorkers, make the process of obtaining financial assistance and enrolling in a health plan as seamless as possible, and ultimately increase enrollment levels among traditionally uninsured populations. 

“This federal funding will allow us to enhance our investment in an already successful and innovative state-based health plan marketplace IT system and consumer education campaign, as we remain steadfast in our commitment to providing access to quality, affordable health coverage to all New Yorkers,” said NY State of Health Acting Executive Director, Danielle Holahan.

The federal Modernization Grant is crucial in its timing to supplement the state’s efforts in helping all New Yorkers get covered.  During the COVID-19 pandemic emergency, NY State of Health has served as a critical safety net for individuals who lost jobs and/or income, helping them to find and enroll in affordable, comprehensive health insurance.  Thanks to the ARPA, the Marketplace extended enhanced subsidies to current enrollees starting in April 2021 and financial assistance to higher-income New Yorkers for the first time in June 2021; in July, NY State of Health reached a record-breaking enrollment total of 6 million.

Consumers can apply for coverage through the remainder of the year by visiting the website or by calling 1-855-355-5777 and by connecting with a free enrollment assistor.

Federal Modernization Grant available through the American Rescue Plan Act

New York State’s Modernization Grant information and application