The Patients First bus rolls up to a town hall meeting to be lead by Sen. Arlen Specter, D-Pa., on health care in at Penn State University in State College, Pa. More than 400 attended and opponents occasionally drowned out the Republican-turned-Democrat. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster, 9/12/2009)
With all of this talk about health care reform, it is easy to overlook the programs that already exist and already work. Healthy NY is a state program that offers discounted insurance to sole proprietors, small businesses and individuals.
The program is the result of theHealth care Reform Act of 2000. All HMOs in NY State offer the streamlined coverage to those who are eligible. Eligibility requirements vary depending on which category you fall under of individual, sole proprietor or small business.
The Small Business category allows the latter to offer coverage to it's employees as well as self.
TheSole Proprietor would cover the self-employed and his family, but not employees.
The Individual can get cover for one's self, which may be of interest to recent graduates who may soon become ineligible to remain covered under a parent's plan.
The application process is straightforward and available online. However, each of the providers has direct contact information to facilitate your enrollment process as well. Premiums listed by county is also available online. Each HMO offers the same coverage, however, the premiums do vary, so look into how each one best fits into your budget.
NYS also offers Child Health Plus and Family Health Plus. These programs offer comprehensive medical coverage at no cost at for those who have an income that is too high to make them eligible for Medicaid.
Visit the Frequently Asked Questions page for more information or call 1-866-HEALTHY NY (1-866-432-5849).
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