How to Get Affordable Health Insurance in NYC

Ranked in 2010 by Bloomberg Businessweek, based upon cost of living, among the top 30 most expensive cities in the world, New York City is in fact the most expensive city in the United States. Undoubtedly, with statistics like this, it is understandable why finding affordable health care in New York City can be a challenge. There are however, a number of resources available to help New York City residents attain health insurance coverage at a reasonable price.

Instructions

• 1

  Search for a job with a company that offers to pay a portion, if not all, of your insurance cost. The most common way to get affordable insurance is through a group insurance plan provided by an employer. Major medical insurance is the main coverage included in benefit packages offered to employees. The packages may also include additional insurance such as, dental, vision, life and disability coverage. While the size of the company will very much determine affordability, many companies offer cost sharing or will even pay the entire monthly premium for their employees.

• 2

  Determine whether you qualify for Medicaid using the information on the New York State Department of Health website. Medicaid is a government program that provides free medical care for those who cannot afford it, or have other qualifying circumstances. Those who qualify usually have extremely high medical bills, receive a Social Security income or are below the determined income level. The maximum income for qualification will vary depending on the size of your family, age and if you suffer from a disability. As of 2011 the maximum annual income for a single person is $8487, whereas a family of four can earn up to $14,637 per year and still qualify for Medicaid coverage.

• 3

  Visit your local Family Health Plus office to determine eligibility and apply for coverage. This public program for residents of New York has a higher maximum income requirement than Medicaid, especially for families with children. As of 2011 a single adult can earn up to $10,890 and still qualify for coverage, while a family of four can have a household income up to $33,525. Coverage includes all major medical services with no associated deductible. You will be responsible for co-payments when receiving certain medical care. If you already have employer sponsored insurance coverage and qualify for Family Health Plus, the additional coverage can be used to help pay premiums, deductibles and co-payments associated with your existing insurance, minimizing your out of pocket costs.

• 4

  Apply for Healthy NY, another coverage option provided by New York State. Catering mostly to the self-employed and small businesses, Healthy NY is not free but rather offers health insurance at a reduced rate. There are still requirements regarding income, but these are much higher considering the fact that you will be paying for coverage. A family of four can earn just over $55,000 per year, as of 2011, and qualify for coverage. This same family of four can expect to pay anywhere between $800 and $1200 a month for basic insurance coverage depending upon county of residence. These plans are HMO plans, and while they may sound expensive, they are affordable when compared to PPO coverage which can run close to or upwards of $2,000 per month in New York City for a family of four.