Due to concerns caused by the coronavirus (COVID-19), New York has just announced that there will be a Special Enrollment Period for uninsured residents to sign up for health insurance through their site here and then finish the application over the phone. The enrollment deadline ends August 15, 2020 so you’ll want to be sure to take advantage and enroll today.

How Do I Sign Up?

1. Create an Account and Log in

Click here to get started. Go ahead and enter in your information, create an account with your name, email and pick a username. 

You’ll get an email that has a link that activates your account. From here, you’ll be asked to create a few security questions and a password.

Already have an account? Awesome! Go ahead and login and skip to step 2 below.

Completed a New York State of Health Application Last Year?

Nice! You’ve got most of your information filled in already. Select “Update Application” and click “Life Change Event”. 

You’ll want to watch out for any changes in your household size, income and tax statuses for your family. If you have any information updates, be sure to make those changes so that you are shown accurate plan options.

2. Fill Out Your Application

Introduction

You’ll be asked to enter in information about an invitation code, click “No” and accept the Rules of Behavior.

Personal Details

Enter in some information about yourself like your name, date of birth and social security number. Enter in your address and your mailing address (if it’s different than your home address!)

Add in your contact information, choose if you would like to receive your information in English, or you can choose another language and you’ll be provided with translation options.

Let Us Help You All Year 

Add Stride as your broker so we can help you throughout the year. Sit back and relax while our healthcare experts take on solving any problems you may have throughout the year.

Click “Yes” when asked “Do you need a Broker/Navigator/Application Counselor?” 

Enter the following information

• Search For: STRIDE HEALTH INC.

• Select: BROKER

• Select: Noah Lang

• Click: Authorize Broker

Stride Tip → Don’t worry if you’re redirected back to the previous page and the broker question still says “No”. It’ll remain this way until we accept the request. Go ahead and move on.

Verify your Identity

Answer a few questions to verify your identity. These questions are straightforward and should be simple to answer. If you are unsure, be sure to click “none of the above” instead of guessing the answer.

Add Your Family Members

Add the members in your household (even if they aren’t getting insurance!). Be sure to click “No” if a member does not need health insurance. As a rule of thumb, people you add to your application are the family members you claim as dependents or file your taxes with. 

Tell Us About Your Family

Answer some questions about pregnancy, disability status and other questions about your family. Don’t worry, these questions are simple! 

If a question is optional, save your time and don’t worry about answering it. Just keep in mind that your answers to some of these answers may qualify you for additional government programs or assistance. 

Life Changes

Look through this list of life changes (or qualifying events). Did any of these changes occur in your household in the last 60 days? If so, select which one - note that you’ll need to provide proof documentation later on.

Taxes (you won’t see this section if you chose that you didn’t need government assistance)

• Single: Just you 

• Head of Household: You and dependents 

• Married Filing Jointly: You and a spouse, and potentially dependents

• Married Filing Separate: You and a spouse (you will not receive any government assistance if this is your tax status)

Estimate Your Income

Watch out, this section causes the most errors! Follow along carefully.

• Current Income: Enter in your income. Be sure to subtract your business deductions from this number.

• Deductions: If you have any personal deductions, enter them in the section labeled “Deductions for [YOUR NAME]”. Some examples of this are student loan interest or alimony paid.

• Total Income: Your total income should match the income you input on Stride.

Having trouble calculating your income? Click here to learn how to estimate it.  

Enter your Individual Information

The next few pages will ask about citizenship status, pregnancy, disability status, long term care and where you need help with past medical expenses. Don’t worry, these questions are simple! If a question is optional, save your time and don’t worry about answering it. 

Terms, Rights and Responsibilities

Review your application details and move to the next page once you’ve ensured all the information you’ve entered is correct. 

If you’d like NY State of Health to use your income data for the next couple of years to automatically determine your eligibility select “Agree”. Register to vote if you’d like. Then enter your initials and select the box that indicates you agree to the terms, rights and responsibilities.

Things To Watch Out For

• Your ‘Yearly Income’ matches what you entered on Stride

• Your Tax Filing status; if you’re married and filing separately you do not qualify for a subsidy! So be sure to choose the best option for your household.

• You entered in only members that you claim on your taxes

Once you’re done, submit your application.

Eligibility Results

Click “View” to take a look at your eligibility results. This will tell you about your eligibility to enroll in a New York State of Health plan.

Sometimes New York State of Health requests that you upload some proof documentation. Make sure to note down what documents they are requesting and be sure to submit it on time (otherwise you could lose your subsidy!) Just remember that sometimes it can take up to 24 hours for your Eligibility Results to show on your profile. 

Stride Tip → Having some trouble understanding your results? Send us a note at support@stridehealth.com and our experts can help you out.

4. Select Your Qualifying Event 

Examples of regular qualifying life events include: 

• Losing job-based coverage

• Having a baby

• Getting married or divorced

• Moving to a new zip code or county

• Getting released from prison  

Get the full list of common qualifying events here.

The COVID-19 Special Enrollment is different from a regular Special Enrollment Period because you do not need a qualifying event, you just need to be uninsured this year. 

5. Call In and Finalize Your Enrollment

Call between 8:00am and 8:00pm EST, M-F , Sat 9:00am-1:00pm EST at 855-355-5777; the wait time will be shorter in the morning. Be sure to have your account number handy (it’s located at the top right of your application) and the name of your recommended Stride plan.  

Let the representative know that you’re uninsured, have submitted an application and want to sign up for coverage with the COVID-19 Special Qualifying Event. You’ll finish the remainder of the enrollment over the phone with the representative.

That’s it! Be sure to upload your eligibility documents on time. As a reminder, if you need any assistance throughout the year, feel free to call or email us—we’re happy to help.

Just note, since this Special Enrollment Period is only for people who are uninsured, you won’t be able to switch plans if you are already enrolled in a health plan. However, if you enrolled during Open Enrollment for coverage starting 1/1, but are no longer enrolled (for any reason) you are eligible to enroll for this SEP.

Coronavirus Coverage Information

New York State has released a resource center with helpful information on the coronavirus, which you can take a look at here.

It is also helpful to know that the Department of Health and Human Services announced that COVID-19 (Coronavirus) testing is covered as an essential health benefit. This means that if you have a qualified health insurance plan, Medicaid, or Medicare, the test is applied to your copays or deductible.

Want to learn more about coronavirus? Check out our COVID-19 Resource Guide for Independent Workers.