The CHCANYS Outreach and Enrollment Distribution List will provide information and updates to health centers regarding outreach and enrollment. Health center staff on this list will receive timely outreach and enrollment information, resources, training and technical assistance, and state updates. To join our distribution list, please fill out the form found here.
If you have questions please contact oehelp@chcanys.org.
Open Enrollment
Open enrollment runs from November 1, 2025, to January 31, 2026. Open Enrollment for 2026 Qualified Health Plans opened on November 1, 2025. Consumers needing coverage can now enroll and existing enrollees can renew starting November 16.
All consumers are encouraged to enroll before December 15, 2025, for coverage starting January 1, 2026.
Navigating Federal Uncertainty
In New York State, over 6.7million individuals are enrolled through the NY State of Health Marketplace, including 220,000 Qualified Health Plan (QHP) enrollees. Of these QHP enrollees, 140,000 benefit from enhanced premium tax credits initially authorized under the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 and extended under the Inflation Reduction Act (2022). These tax credits have led to record enrollments in Qualified Health Plans and have made coverage more affordable and accessible for New Yorkers but are due to expire in December 2025 absent Congressional action to extend them.
The expiration of enhanced premium tax credits would raise premiums for consumers currently receiving enhanced subsidies by nearly 40%, creating significant financial consequences for those who rely on these subsidies to afford coverage, and causing economic ripple effects in hospitals and health centers across the state. There is still time for Congress to act to extend the enhanced premium tax credits and NY State of Health stands ready to do everything in its power to ensure affordability for consumers.
New for 2026: Enhanced Dental Coverage
Despite the impact of new federal legislation, NY State of Health is proud to announce improved dental coverage options for 2026. Beginning this year, all Stand Alone Dental Plan issuers participating on the Marketplace will offer a standard dental plan for individuals and families. These plans include uniform benefits and coinsurance rates, making it easier for consumers to compare options, understand their coverage and shop with confidence. In addition, dental coverage will also continue to be available for adults and families in certain Qualified Health Plans.
Coverage Options
- Qualified Health Plans
This year there are 12 issuers offering Qualified Health Plans. Consumers can enroll as of November 1, 2025 or renew (starting November 16, 2025) in a 2026 Qualified Health Plan, and are encouraged to enroll before December 15, 2025, for coverage starting January 1, 2026. All Qualified Health Plans cover preventive care, such as routine doctor visits and screenings and pre-existing conditions at no additional cost.
- Essential Plan, Medicaid and Child Health Plus
The Essential Plan, Medicaid and Child Health Plus are open for enrollment year-round. All these programs offer comprehensive benefits, including vision and dental benefits for all enrollees with no monthly premium, no deductible and low-cost sharing.
- Small Business Marketplace
Eligible small employers can lower the cost of offering employee coverage with the federal Small Business Healthcare Tax Credit when purchasing Small Business Marketplace-certified plans approved through NY State of Health. There are currently more than 22,000 employers signed on with the Small Business Marketplace (SBM). Employers can only access small employer tax credits by completing a short application at nystateofhealth.ny.gov/employer.
How to Enroll
NY State of Health is a one-stop shop platform that allows New Yorkers seeking coverage to compare and enroll in health insurance. Consumers can enroll by:
- Visiting nystateofhealth.ny.gov
- Calling the NY State of Health Customer Service Center at 1-855-355-5777
- Requesting free personalized help from a Certified Enrollment Assistor at info.nystateofhealth.ny.gov/findassistor
The Marketplace offers an array of tools that make comparing and enrolling in insurance easy:
- Compare Plans and Estimate Cost Calculator
- Search for Certified Enrollment Assistors in your community
- Web Chat is available at nystateofhealth.ny.gov to help consumers complete their applications
More information on 2026 Plans can be found here.
- Webinar #1: Boosting Outreach and Enrollment Strategies for New York Community Health Centers
CHCANYS partnered with Health Outreach Partners (HOP) to develop a webinar session focused on equipping health center Navigators with the right workflows and strategies to develop successful outreach and enrollment programs at their health centers.
During this webinar, HOP also addresses both quantitative and qualitative metrics and tools to measure the ROI and success of outreach and enrollment programs.
While this webinar is well-suited for all New York CHC audiences, the content of this session specifically highlights the needs and challenges of New York State’s rural community health centers.
Webinar Learning Objectives:
- Participants will learn strategies, best practices, and metrics for success for their outreach and enrollment programs.
- Participants will learn methods for building and leveraging community partnerships.
- Participants will understand how effective outreach programs support the business case for outreach programs.
- Webinar #2: NY State of Health Updates and Enrollment Trends
CHCANYS partnered with New York State of Health (NYSOH) to develop a webinar session focused on New York State population data and enrollment trends into the Marketplace’s four public insurance plans: CHIP, Medicaid, the Essential Plan (EP) and Qualified Health Plan (QHP).
During this webinar, NYSOH speakers also highlight three new Cost-Sharing Reduction (CSR) initiatives, implemented to reduce out-of-pocket costs and address certain health conditions (diabetes, pregnancy and postpartum care) that disproportionately impact lower-income communities.
To request webinar recordings, please complete and submit this form.
HRSA Funding Acknowledgement
These trainings are supported by the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) as part of an award to CHCANYS’ New York State Primary Care Association (NYS-PCA). The contents are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily represent the official views of, nor an endorsement, by HRSA, HHS, or the U.S. Government. For more information, please visit HRSA.gov.