You may have started hearing about the new NY State Health Insurance Exchange coming 10/1/13. Under the federal Affordable Care Act, an Exchange will be operating in every state starting in 2014. This Exchange will be like a marketplace where you will be able to shop for and enroll in health insurance coverage.
Specifically, the Exchange will help you:
- Compare commercial insurance options, calculate costs and select coverage online, in person, over the phone or by mail.
- Check their eligibility for health care programs like Medicaid and sign up for these programs if they are eligible.
- Tell what type of financial assistance may be available to help you pay for health insurance purchased through the Exchange.
Insurance coverage can be purchased through the Health Benefit Exchange beginning in October 2013 and will be effective January 1, 2014.
If you are an immigrant you may be wondering, "what does this all mean for me?", "will I qualify for any benefits or assistance?"
To help immigrants in New York answer these questions about potential health benefits, our partner, Empire Justice Center, have developed the Immigrant Eligibility Crosswalk, a new tool to help immigrants navigate the complex intersections of immigration status and eligibility for Exchange related subsidies, Medicaid programs and emergency health care coverage options.
Whether you are a greencard holder, have refugee status, came to New York in a VAWA petition or more you'll be able to find out what you qualify for. For example, if you are a Battered Spouses / children of U.S. citizens or LPR w/ pending VAWA or family petition you may be surprised to learn that you would be eligible to purchase health coverage through the Exchange as well as receive other benefits.
Click here to use the new Immigrant Eligibility Crosswalk.
If you have additional questions regarding public benefits for immigrants' visit: NY Immigrants Public Benefits Info.