Component Title: Compare Plans
Compare Plans
Find the right medical and dental insurance coverage for you. Choose from individual and family plans including Bronze, Silver, Gold and Platinum. You may be eligible for a free or low-cost New York State-sponsored plan or qualify to receive higher tax credits to reduce your monthly premium under the American Rescue Plan.
The health coverage you get with Bronze, Silver, Gold and Platinum plans is essentially the same. The difference is how much you pay each month as an upfront cost. A lower monthly payment (Bronze) usually means a higher cost when you go to a doctor. A higher monthly payment (Platinum) generally means you pay less for each visit to the doctor.
The Essential Plan costs $0 a month if you’re eligible but offers the same benefits as other health plans. It has no deductible, so the plan starts paying for your care right away. You also get free preventive care like routine doctor exams and screenings to keep you healthy.
Blue Choice Option and HMOBlue Option are Medicaid programs sponsored by New York State. They provide free or low-cost health insurance, if you’re eligible. With these plans, you have a Primary Care Provider (PCP) who gives you most of your care at little or no cost. You also have access to a large network of other doctors, urgent care centers, hospitals and specialists, when needed.
Many children up to age 19 qualify for this free or low cost health insurance coverage from Excellus BCBS. No family earns too much to enroll if they meet the eligibility requirements. With access to a large network of doctors, hospitals and pharmacies, we have kids covered.
Our dental plans include coverage for preventive services like cleanings, fluoride treatments and sealants, and routine services such as exams, x-rays and fillings. They also have coverage for more comprehensive care like select crowns and root canals.
Medicare is the federal health insurance program for people who are 65 or older. It also covers younger people with certain disabilities and illnesses. Our Medicare plans offer high-quality coverage, a large provider network and local support.
Component Title: When to Enroll
When to Enroll
If you are buying an individual or family plan directly from an insurance company or through NY State of Health, there are set dates to buy or change your insurance. This is called the Open Enrollment Period. It usually runs from November 16 to January 31 each year. You may be eligible to apply during a Special Enrollment Period, if you experience certain life events.
You can typically only buy, change, or renew your individual or family plan between November 16 and January 31, unless you experience certain life events. However, you can enroll in Medicaid, Child Health Plus, or the Essential Plan at any time during the year, if you are eligible.
You may able to buy or change your health insurance coverage outside the annual Open Enrollment Period, if you experience certain qualifying life events. Examples include having a baby, getting married or divorced, moving from one service area to another, or losing coverage from your employer. These events qualify you for a Special Enrollment Period. In most cases, you have 60 days to enroll in a plan when you qualify for a Special Enrollment Period.
Component Title: What is Covered?
What is Covered?
All our plans include free preventive care, telemedicine, dental and vision coverage for children, and access to a large provider network. Plus, our BlueCard® program gives you access to care when you travel.
Enjoy the convenience of filling your prescriptions by phone or online and having them delivered right to your home. Save up to 33% and order up to a 90-day supply of medication at one time.
Telemedicine, powered by MDLIVE®, lets you see a board-certified doctor by phone or video on your schedule, anytime, anywhere.
Stay healthy and reduce your risk for certain illnesses with free preventive care services including routine checkups, shots and screenings. Our plans also give you access to tools and programs for weight management, fitness and more.
Available with our Qualified Health Plans, BlueCard gives you access to a nationwide network of doctors and hospitals when you travel. Emergency care is also covered anywhere in the world.
Component Title: Managing Prescriptions
Managing Prescriptions
Our Qualified Health Plans, Essential Plan and Child Health Plus offer extensive prescription drug coverage, including home delivery. Medicaid plans have prescription coverage through NYRx, the NY State Medicaid Pharmacy program. The cost of prescription drugs varies by plan.
Enjoy the convenience of filling your prescriptions by phone or online and having them delivered right to your home. Save up to 33% and order up to a 90-day supply of medication at one time.
Our licensed clinical pharmacists are available to answer medication-related questions from you or your physician.
When you need a prescription, you may be able to cut down on your health care costs by choosing a generic drug. Generic drugs are safe, effective, and approved by the FDA. They just cost you less.
If you get your insurance through your employer or if you have a qualified health plan, you may automatically receive discounts on eligible prescription medications not covered under your plan. Pharmacists simply process the discounts at the time of purchase.
The cost of prescription drugs varies widely, even for medications used to treat the same condition. Our medication guide was developed to help you and your doctor select lower cost options that are just as effective and can save you money.
Component Title: Get Help Paying
Get Help Paying
Good news! Under the American Rescue Plan, expanded tax credits are still available when you buy a health plan through NY State of Health. These credits were extended to 2025 under the Inflation Reduction Act. If you qualify, you can access higher tax credits and reduce your monthly premium. This includes many higher-income New Yorkers who did not previously qualify.
