Healthy NY Eligibility Guidelines for Uninsured Employees

The main purpose why people get health care is to protect their family from major financial loss when illness happens. Having no sufficient medical policy is in fact one of the primary causes of bankruptcy. Also, purchasing a health insurance plan will give you lots of benefits in preventive care.

Usually people get coverage through work through what their employers offer or through their spouse's employer.

But there are some employers who don't offer health benefits. If you belong to this group good news is you are eligible to apply for the Healthy NY program.

What is Healthy NY? It's a government-subsidized health program that can give you a comprehensive coverage at an affordable rate.

If you're not sure if your employer offers it, here's how.

If your company makes necessary arrangements for you and your colleagues to have a group plan, and the employer pays part of the premium, then they're providing you with health insurance. A comprehensive group health insurance includes medical and hospital benefits but excludes other public health programs like Medicaid, Family Health Plus, and Child Health Plus. But if the coverage you have under your employer-sponsored plan only offers a few of these named benefits, then you are eligible to apply for Healthy NY.

What are the qualifications to apply for Healthy NY?

Most important of all, one must be a resident of New York State: must reside within the 28-county service area. For those who are non-NY residents, contact your local insurance department and talk to them about the state-run plans available in your area.

You should be below 65 years old and not eligible for Medicare. Medicare is a government-sponsored insurance for senior citizens and the disabled. For more information you can also contact the state's Senior Citizen Insurance Resource Center.

You and/or your spouse must have worked some time within the last 12 months (or 52 weeks) in order to qualify.

If you had remained uninsured for the last twelve months or lost or may lose your coverage for valid reasons, you qualify.

Income must be below 250 percent of the federal poverty level. The income will be based on the number of people in your household. Adult children's incomes of the applicant do not have to be included in calculating the total household income. They are, instead, only required to list their income, and a spouse's income (if any), if applicable.