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
Private Health Insurance
There are two types of plans that are available to purchase as an individual/couple/family:
HMO – You must use providers (doctors, hospitals, labs) participating in your HMO. Your HMO network is local and you must get referrals from your Primary Care Physician before you can see specalists.
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.
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.
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.
Source: ahirc.org
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