The national deadline to enroll in health care during the second year of open enrollment is today, December 15, but New York state has extended the deadline through Saturday, December 20.
If you plan to use the New York State of Health Marketplace to sign up for health care, you have five more days to enroll if you want your coverage to start on January 1. The extension applies for new or renewing coverage.
The state department of health says New Yorkers need the extra time because of the power outages and road closures caused by extreme winter weather since the beginning of this year’s open enrollment period, which began November 15.
Marketplace officials report so far more than 150,000 have enrolled who did not have insurance previously.
During the first open enrollment period last year, more than 950 thousand people enrolled though the state exchange. Three-quarters of those who signed up to qualified health plans received financial assistance.
