FOR BREAKING NEWS VISIT www.qns.com november 19, 2015 • The Courier sun 19 FINDING THE RIGHT HEALTH PLAN DURING OPEN ENROLLMENT By the QUEENS COURIER STAFF editorial@queenscourier.com @queenscourier With the open enrollment period now underway, Fidelis Care urges Queens residents who haven’t already done so to find a health insurance plan that’s right for them and their families. More than 359,000 Queens residents currently do not have a health plan, according to Fidelis, and lacking coverage will prove particularly costly this year. Those who elect not to have health insurance before the enrollment period expires will be assessed a penalty equal to 2.5 percent of their income. “The time is now to try and get your family covered,” said Lori Vavrinec, Fidelis Care’s marketing director. Medicare and Medicaid recipients have until Dec. 7 to purchase supplemental health insurance coverage, while everyone else has until Jan. 31, 2016 to obtain a health care plan. This year’s open enrollment features an “essential plan” affordable to most Queens residents, according to Vavrinec. The essential plan provides coverage for the basics—including doctor’s visits, prescription medication and hospitalization—for a minimal copay and without a costly deductible. A family of four with an income below $48,500 or a single person making below $23,540 can qualify for essential plan coverage. Vavrinec suggests residents visit the New York State of Health Marketplace, update their personal income information and see what plans are available to them. Fidelis Care, meanwhile, has a wide variety of health insurance options affordable for everyone, she noted. Residents can receive subsidies based on their income to help them purchase health insurance. “We really have a plan now for everybody,” Vavrinec said. “The difference in plans is going to be based on the assistance you get to afford it. … People on a lower income scale will qualify for more subsidies, but even if you’re making 400 percent above the federal poverty level—which is a typical income for a family of four—you can still buy a plan at substantially lower rates.” Fidelis Care started in Queens and is now available across New York State. It has three convenient offices in Queens: its Rego Park headquarters and satellite offices in Ridgewood and Jamaica. Fidelis representatives in Queens speak 26 different languages and make themselves available either in the office, on the phone or can make home visits to help residents obtain health insurance. “Anybody can come into our office and get a representative that can take the time with them, speak to them in their language and understand the options available to them,” Vavrinec said. “The way we approach this business is very different and community-focused. We go out to where the membership is.” To learn more about Fidelis Care options, call 1-888-FIDELIS or visit www. fideliscare.org. OPTION 1 A MEDICARE PLAN THAT PUTS NEW YORKERS FIRST The Healthfirst Increased Benefits Plan (HMO) A FOUR-STAR Medicare Advantage Plan in NYC TWO YEARS IN A ROW! this Medicare Advantage plan, you could pay as little as $0 With for better benefits than Medicare— if you currently receive Extra Help. Medicare evaluates plans based on a 5-star rating system. Star Ratings are calculated ACT NOW! Enroll or meet with us to learn about your options. Call 1-855-725-3341 (TTY 1-888-542-3821) 7 days a week, 8am–8pm www.YourHFIBP.org Medicare evaluates plans based on a 5-star rating system. Star Ratings are calculated each year and may change from one year to the next. Please visit www.medicare.gov for more information on CMS’ Star Ratings. Managed Health, Inc., dba Healthfirst Medicare Plan, offers HMO plans that contract with the Federal Government. Enrollment in Healthfirst Medicare Plan depends on contract renewal. The benefit information provided is a brief summary, not a complete description, of benefits. Limitations, copayments, and restrictions may apply. Benefits may change on January 1 of each year. Premiums, copays, coinsurance, and deductibles may vary based on the level of Extra Help you receive. Please contact the plan for further details. © 2015 HF Management Services, LLC. NYMED001017 H3359_MKT16_33 Accepted 09202015
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