Mayor Mamdani, NYC Health Agencies Intensify Enrollment in Low- and No-Cost Healthcare as Federal Cuts to Essential Plan Coverage Take Effect

NEW YORK - Today, Mayor Zohran Kwame Mamdani, the NYC Health Department and NYC Health + Hospitals announced an expanded outreach effort to protect more than 200,000 New Yorkers from losing healthcare coverage as changes to the Essential Plan caused by federal disinvestment go into effect July 1.

New Yorkers who need assistance are encouraged to call 311 and ask for "help with health coverage" or text "CoveredNYC" to 55676 for multilingual guidance on finding alternative coverage options, including NYC Care. City services include comprehensive primary and preventative care.

"Health care is a human right, not a privilege reserved for those who can afford it. No New Yorker should be skipping doctor's appointments, ignoring concerning symptoms, or risking bankruptcy because they cannot afford to see a doctor. While the federal government chooses to take health care away from working people, New York is choosing a different path," said Mayor Zohran Mamdani. "We are making sure every New Yorker knows where they can turn for affordable care, enrollment assistance and the services they need. We want every New Yorker to know that city government has their back."

"As the federal government attacks those most in need of health care, New York City is standing up to provide health services that are both affordable and accessible," said Deputy Mayor for Health and Human Services Dr. Helen Arteaga. "The NYC Health Department and NYC Health + Hospitals do critical work by providing low- and no-cost health services, counseling, and other resources across the five boroughs, and with hundreds of thousands of New Yorkers at risk of losing coverage, we must get the word out that these lifelines are available to any person who needs help."

"As an ER doctor, I've seen firsthand what happens when people lose their health coverage. They don't stop getting sick - they stop getting care until it's an emergency," said NYC Health Commissioner Dr. Alister F. Martin. "Access to affordable coverage is a lifeline. The NYC Health Department is ready to meet New Yorkers where they are and make sure no one loses coverage because they didn't know help was available."

"At NYC Health + Hospitals we are urging our patients to remain in care, keep taking their medications, and attend their scheduled appointments," said Mitchell Katz, MD, President and CEO of NYC Health + Hospitals. "Our financial counselors are ready to help existing and new patients identify a new health insurance option or one of four dedicated financial assistance programs such as NYC Care. We take care of all New Yorkers without exception."

Federal funding cuts have caused loss of coverage for the more than 200,000 New Yorkers enrolled in the Essential Plan with incomes between 200% and 250% of the federal poverty level, which is approximately $31,920 to $39,900 annually for an individual. Although these New Yorkers no longer qualify for Essential Plan coverage, they are eligible for a "special enrollment period" and can immediately enroll in a qualified health plan through the New York State of Health Marketplace without waiting for the open enrollment period beginning this November. The special enrollment period will last for 60 days, until September 1. Enrolling in a plan through the New York State of Health marketplace anytime during this 60-day window will provide retroactive coverage for care received dating back to July 1.

New Yorkers who lose coverage can access:

• Low or no-cost health care services at the NYC Health Department's sexual health, immunization and tuberculosis clinics, regardless of immigration status or insurance coverage
• Low- or no-cost health care services, including comprehensive primary and preventative care, through NYC Health + Hospitals' facilities and community health centers, regardless of immigration status
• Free enrollment counselors through the NYC Health Department to help individuals and families compare coverage options and complete enrollment
• NYC Care, a NYC Health + Hospitals healthcare access program that guarantees low- and no-cost care services for New Yorkers who do not qualify or cannot afford insurance
• A financial counselor to learn about transitioning to a new insurance option, available over the phone (1-844-692-4692) or in person at any NYC Health + Hospitals facility

Impacted New Yorkers can learn more by:

• Calling 311 to ask for "help with health coverage" or call direct at 347-665-0214
• Texting "CoveredNYC" to 55676
• Visiting nyc.gov/healthcoverage to submit a Health Insurance Inquiry Form
• Visiting a nearby enrollment center, which can be found using the NYC Health Map

In May, the Mamdani administration launched two citywide public awareness campaigns: a $500,000 campaign encouraging New Yorkers to sign up for free and low-cost health insurance through the NYC Health Department's free enrollment services, and a NYC Health + Hospitals campaign encouraging enrollment and re-enrollment in NYC Care.

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