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NYC Health + Hospitals Hosts Free Virtual Health Insurance Workshops to Prepare New Yorkers for Upcoming Open-Enrollment Periods
Oct 21, 2020
NYC Health + Hospitals today announced a series of free virtual health insurance workshops to prepare New Yorkers for the upcoming open-enrollment periods. Collaborating with the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), the workshops will help the general public, community and faith-based organizations, and caregivers understand health insurance options available as they prepare for the open-enrollment periods for Medicare and New York State of Health – the State’s official online marketplace. The workshops will also be available to NYC Health + Hospitals financial counselors, physicians, nurses and social workers so they can assist their patients in navigating the health insurance portals. This is the seventh consecutive year NYC Health + Hospitals and CMS are partnering to bring free workshops to communities across New York City, but the first time these workshops will be virtual to allow wide participation while keeping everyone safe during the COVID-19 pandemic. The collaboration with CMS builds on the City’s commitment of Guaranteed Care, ensuring that all New Yorkers have access to affordable, high-quality care.
“Information on accessing affordable, quality healthcare has become more important than ever due to the COVID-19 pandemic,” said President and CEO of NYC Health + Hospitals Mitchell Katz, MD. “Navigating health insurance can be intimidating, but we’re grateful to be able to partner with trusted organizations to help our communities make better informed decisions for them and their family members. For those looking to apply for health insurance, our staff can help you get connected with information, and for those not eligible for coverage or unable to afford it, we can help you get enrolled in NYC Care or NYC Health + Hospitals’ Options.”
“With open enrollment coming up, training our community partners, community members, and health care providers about Medicare, Medicaid, and private health insurance is as important as it has ever been,” said Frank Winter, Partnership Manager, CMS New York Regional External Affairs Office. “During this unique time, we want to make especially sure that our partners and enrollees have the best information to make sound decisions about their health coverage during open enrollment.”
Health insurance specialists from CMS will provide updates on Medicare parts A, B, C, and D, Medicaid basics, preventive services, enrollment assistance and resources for the uninsured, and more. Workshops are open to community partners, faith-based organizations, caregivers, community members, and NYC Health + Hospitals’ staff.
Below is the schedule of the workshops:
Wednesday, October 28, 2020, 1:00 P.M. – 3:30 P.M.
NYC Health + Hospitals & CMS invites community partners, caregivers, community members to please visit Eventbrite and register: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/nyc-health-hospitals-cms-health-insurance-101-virtual-workshop-tickets-125401907481
Thursday, November 5, 2020, 3:00 P.M. – 5:30 P.M.
NYC Health + Hospitals & CMS invites financial counselors, nurses, physicians, LCSW, LMSW please visit Eventbrite and register: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/nyc-health-hospitals-cms-health-insurance-101-virtual-workshop-tickets-125404336747
Wednesday, November 18, 2020, 3:00 P.M – 5:30 P.M.
NYC Health + Hospitals & CMS invites financial counselors, nurses, physicians, LCSW, LMSW please visit Eventbrite and register: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/nyc-health-hospitals-cms-health-insurance-101-virtual-workshop-tickets-125407203321
“Health insurance is complicated and it can be difficult to know which plan you need,” said Assembly Health Committee Chair Richard N. Gottfried. “These workshops will be helpful for New Yorkers trying to understand their options, and I applaud NYC Health + Hospitals, CMS, and their community partners for organizing these events during the open enrollment period.”
The next open enrollment period for New York State of Health, when residents will be able to either change their insurance plan, or enroll in health insurance for the first time, will start on November 1, 2020. For people with Medicare, annual enrollment period began as of October 15, 2020 and ends December 7, 2020. During this time, people with Medicare can select a Medicare Advantage plan or prescription drug plan. They can also switch plans if they are already enrolled.