Health Insurance Enrollment Starts Saturday: What's New?

Rochester

By: Katie Gibas Text size: +-

Rochester: Health Insurance Enrollment Starts Saturday: What's New?Play now

Without health insurance, breaking a bone can mean breaking the bank too. And now's the time to start thinking about the options. The health insurance marketplaces are open for enrollment Saturday. Katie Gibas explains the process, options and the penalty if someone opts out. Jude Swift has always worked. But she lost her job a few years ago and eventually her health insurance ran out. Last year, she enrolled through the New York State of Health insurance exchange.

'I was diagnosed with Rheumatoid Arthritis and my prescription was $2,000 a month. So obviously I would not be able to do that without this help. And I would not have a life because it really is a very debilitating disease. So it gave me my life back,' said Swift.

Experts said even if someone enrolled in health insurance through the market place last year, it's still important to revisit and reevaluate all of those plans.

'Make sure you're buying a product that actually fits your needs. And one of the aspects of that is making sure that the doctor that you're used to going to or want to go to is in the network of the product you're choosing,' said Todd Muscatello, an Excellus BlueCross BlueShield health plan Sales vice president.

If it seems confusing, don't worry. There are community navigators across the state who can take someone though registration step by step and help you apply for subsidies to off-set the cost. You need to call to make an in-person appointment and then bring your identifying information including a social security card and proof of income.

'You're not obligated to buy insurance from us. Come and see what your options are. We'll explain what tax penalties are and we'll explain how to use tax credits and things like that,' said Steve Wood, a New York State of Health navigator and ACR health support services assistant director.

And of course, there is still the option of not buying insurance at all. But you will pay a penalty of $275 or two percent of your income, whichever is higher.

'Last year it was $95 or 1 percent and most people didn't know about the or 1 percent. This year it's two, so it can be a substantial hit during tax time if you don't buy a product. It's just of those things, every person has to evaluate their own needs versus the financial impact of buying a product or paying the tax penalty,' said Muscatello.

You would pay that penalty when you file your income tax return in 2016.

Open enrollment runs from this Saturday through December 15 if you want your insurance to start January 1. The absolute last day to register for insurance for 2015 is February 15.

Visit the NYS of Health website for more information.