The deadline is fast approaching for New Yorkers who qualified for the state’s Essential Plan health insurance but no longer do to find a new plan and remain covered.
Federal cuts that passed in 2025 forced changes to New York’s Essential Plan; qualifications to enroll in that plan decreased from households who make 250% of the federal poverty line to 200%. That change went into effect last month.
The deadline to switch plans and remain covered was originally June 15, but the state extended it to Aug. 30 so affected New Yorkers can sign up for new coverage and get any costs reimbursed.
More than 400,00 New Yorkers are affected by this change, which will kick them off their low-cost plans and force them to pay more just to stay covered.
Community Service Society of New York (CSSNY) is trying to help. The organization is working with folks to give them advice, screen them for eligibility and help them find a health plan they can afford. Diane Spicer, a supervising attorney for CSSNY, says that they’ve fielded hundreds of calls. Some feel relieved that they’ll have another option, while others feel like affordable insurance is out of reach.
“For some folks, just another monthly bill, it’s just not going to happen no matter how low it is,” she said. “It’s very hard to choose between some of the hard choices that people have to make, like paying a utility bill or paying for insurance.”
Spicer urges anyone affected with questions to call Community Service Society of New York at (888) 614-5400 to get help.