NY State of Health Announces Special Enrollment Period for Uninsured
New Yorkers Facing Tax Penalties
NEWBURGH, New York— Newburgh, NY (March 1, 2015) Maternal Infant Services Network, Inc. (MISN) a New York State funded Navigator Program Provider for the Mid-Hudson Region announces that the NY State of Health Marketplace established a special enrollment period (SEP) for individuals and families who had to pay a federal penalty for 2014, and had not been aware or had not understood that they would have to pay a penalty for not having health insurance coverage. This announcement follows similar strategies of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) for the Federally-Facilitated Marketplace and other state-based Marketplaces.
The SEP will start on March 1 and end at 11:59 p.m. on April 30, 2015. Consumers who do not enroll during this period and do not meet the criteria for other SEPs will not be able to purchase coverage during the remainder of 2015 and may be subject to a federal tax penalty when they file their 2015 federal income taxes. Individuals who are eligible for Medicaid and Child Health Plus can continue to enroll throughout the year.
To be eligible for this SEP, individuals must attest that when they filed their 2014 federal tax return, that they paid a penalty for not having health insurance in 2014, and at that they first became aware of or understood the implications of not having health insurance in 2014 when they filed their federal tax return.
“It is critical that our current and potential customers in the five counties that we cover: Dutchess, Orange, Putnam, Sullivan and Ulster are aware of this Special Enrollment Period which will help them to address their tax penalty concerns. We encourage individuals to call us immediately to find out which health plans they qualify for and to assist them with the online enrollment process free of charge. We can also help customers understand the implications of the federal tax penalties that they may incur,” said MISN’s Executive Director Caren Fairweather.
About MISN
MISN is a not for profit agency located in The City of Newburgh dedicated to family and community health and wellness. MISN is a NY State funded Navigator Program Provider whose Certified Navigators are dedicated to help you, your family or small business apply for affordable health insurance through the New York State of Health Marketplace in Dutchess, Orange, Putnam and Sullivan and Ulster counties. We are not a health plan; our staff is bilingual and is committed to provide the best health plan serving your county free of charge. For further information and one-on-one assistance please call our office at 1-800-453-4666.
