New York State of Health (NYSOH), the State’s health insurance marketplace created by the Affordable Care Act (ACA), ended the 2018 open enrollment period last week showing continued growth in insurance enrollment, particularly in the State’s popular Essential Plan (EP). The following table details year-over-year enrollment in EP, Qualified Health Plans (QHP), and Child Health Plus (CHP) plans:
| 1/31/17 | 1/31/18 | Variance | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Essential Plan | 665,324 | 738,851 | 11.1% |
| Qualified Health Plan | 242,880 | 253,102 | 4.2% |
| Child Health Plus | 299,214 | 374,577 | 25.2% |
NYSOH enrollment in QHPs is limited to the annual open enrollment period, which this year extended from November 1, 2017, to January 31, 2018. NYSOH’s open enrollment period was six weeks longer than the enrollment period for states using the Federal marketplace. During this extended period, an additional 24,000 New Yorkers gained QHP coverage. Overall, QHP enrollment grew by 4.2%, while enrollment in states that use the Federal marketplace declined by 5.3%. Approximately 59% of New Yorkers enrolled in QHP receive financial assistance.
Enrollment in EP, CHP, and Medicaid is open year round. Medicaid enrollment, which occurs through NYSOH as well as county offices, remained flat over the past year, at approximately 6.1 million.