NYC Health + Hospitals Hosts Health Insurance Seminars to Prepare New Yorkers for the Upcoming Open Enrollment Period
Oct 02, 2017
Leading up to the open enrollment periods for Medicare and New York State of Health, the State’s official online marketplace, NYC Health + Hospitals and the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) are collaborating to help community partners, faith-based partners, caregivers, and community members understand health insurance options available to them.
Health insurance specialists from CMS will provide updates on Medicare (Parts A, B, C, and D) and Medicaid programs, information about health care reform initiatives, and guidance on how to select and purchase affordable insurance on New York State of Health. CMS will also provide information about what to expect as new Medicare cards are issued in 2018, including information about protecting patients from fraud and abuse. This is the sixth consecutive year NYC Health + Hospitals and CMS are partnering to bring free seminars to communities across New York City.
The seminars are open to the public and will be held at NYC Health + Hospitals/Kings County (Brooklyn), NYC Health + Hospitals/Lincoln (Bronx), and NYC Health + Hospitals/Bellevue (Manhattan). Caregivers, patients, community providers, NYC Health + Hospitals staff nearing age 65, and individuals who work with seniors, are all encouraged to attend.
“Insurance is a complicated topic, so it’s not surprising that many consumers have questions,” said Stanley Brezenoff, interim president and chief executive officer, NYC Health + Hospitals. “Having knowledge about insurance is empowering. The opportunity to make informed enrollment decisions is almost upon us, so now is the time to get answers.”
The next open enrollment period for New York State of Health, when residents will be able to change their insurance plan or enroll in health insurance for the first time, will take place from November 1, 2017, through January 31, 2018. For people with Medicare, the annual enrollment period begins October 15, 2017, and ends December 7, 2017. During this time, people with Medicare can select a Medicare Advantage plan or prescription drug plan, or they can switch plans if they are already enrolled.
Attendees will receive information about:
- The benefits of Medicare and how to apply
- The parts of Medicare – Part A: hospital insurance; Part B: medical insurance (outpatient visits, lab work, preventive services); Part C: health plans; and Part D: prescription drug coverage
- The Medicare appeals process
- The Medicare programs in place for people with limited income and resourcesThe new Medicare number
- Medicaid basics
- Updates on New York State of Health
- Enrollment resources for the uninsured
“With open enrollment coming up, training our community partners and community members 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. “Patients have so many options regarding what coverage to select and how to access the health care system, it is important that we provide good information to them, the health insurance counselors who assist them, and the caregivers who look out for them, to make sure they are getting the services they need to stay healthy and enjoy a good quality of life.”
Registration is free and required ahead of the event. Light refreshments will be served, and attendees will have the chance to win a fitness tracker. Participants may also register by calling 212-788-3450.
Tuesday, October 17
NYC Health + Hospitals/Kings County
T Building, 2nd Floor Auditorium
451 Clarkson Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11203
8:30 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Register by October 10: https://kingscountyhealth.eventbrite.com
Wednesday, October 25
NYC Health + Hospitals/Lincoln
Conference Center
234 East 149th Street, Bronx, NY, 10451
8:30 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Register by October 18: https://lincolnhealth.eventbrite.com
Wednesday, November 15
NYC Health + Hospitals/Bellevue
462 1st Avenue, New York, NY 10016
Old Medical Library (C&D Building, 8th Floor)
8:30 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Register by November 8: https://bellevuehealth101.eventbrite.com