More than 150,000 individuals from Western New York registered for health insurance through the state’s online health exchange for 2016, according to a new report by the State Department of Health.
The data comes from a new report on the New York State of Health online marketplace, which saw more than 2.8 million people sign up for health insurance through Jan. 31, the deadline for 2016 enrollment.
Included in the 64-page report is a trove of demographics information, including a county-by-county breakdown of how many signed up, what type of plan they selected and with which insurer. It also shows the cultural diversity of those individuals, with services provided in more than 90 languages.
Information about businesses signing up through the SHOP is also included, with breakdowns by region on total employees covered; and those who signed up for dental plans.
In the eight-county Western New York Five region, five providers accounted for the bulk of coverage through the exchange: BlueCross BlueShield of Western New York ; Independent Health; Univera Healthcare/Excellus; MVP Health Care; and Fidelis. Excellus BlueCross BlueShield of Rochester and CDPHP of Albany also provided care for a handful of individuals.
Of the 150,493 enrolled, the majority signed up for Medicaid or Child Health Plus, while another 10.1 percent signed up for the Essential Plan. Just 11 percent or 16,612 enrollees signed up for other qualified health plans from commercial insurance providers.
Excellus and BCBS saw their market shares increase to more than 30 percent year-over-year for enrollees in qualified health plans, with Excellus growing to 36 percent in its service area; and BCBS growing to 32 percent.
Of the total enrolled statewide, 271,964 enrolled in qualified health plans; while 379,559 enrolled in the Essential Plan, a new program launched this year for lower income families. Another 13,224 individuals received coverage through the small business marketplace, with 3,217 employers opting to participate.
In a DOH media release, State Health Commissioner Dr. Howard Zucker said the state continues to work to reduce the number of uninsured across New York and make sure preventive care and treatment is available when needed: 92 percent of enrollees said they did not have any health insurance at the time they applied.
Individuals enrolled through the online marketplace now account for 15 percent of the state’s total population.
“New York has lead the nation in implementing a progressive plan to make access to health care a reality for New Yorkers,” Zucker said.
Date:August 12, 2016