New Yorkers can shop for, compare and enroll in health insurance coverage at NY State of Health, “The Official Health Plan Marketplace.”

There is a choice of health plans and help for people in finding the appropriate plan.

The Marketplace is open to individuals and families, and small businesses with 50 or fewer eligible employees. Health insurance offered in the Marketplace includes a comprehensive set of benefits, called the Essential Health Benefits.

Experts are available to guide you through the enrollment process, help you find the right health insurance based on your unique needs and work with you to figure out if you can get financial assistance to reduce the cost of coverage.

In St. Lawrence County, the Health Initiative has certified navigators available 6 days a week, at over 13 locations across the county. To view their site schedule and make an appointment, you can visit gethealthyslc.org or call 261-4760 ext. 222.

Anne Marie Snell, Director of the Navigator program at the Health Initiative says there are many benefits to working with a Navigator: “While anyone can fill out the application on their own online, a navigator has experience working with the application and can answer your tough questions.”

The application assistance is just that, assistance: “We are here to help you fill out your application. The application still belongs to individuals who are enrolling, and they can access it at any time.”

The assistance doesn’t stop with the application though. Another benefit of seeing a Navigator is gaining access to other resources in the county that might be able to assist you. “We often see people often who have past medical bills they are struggling to keep up with, and our Navigators ensure they have help to apply for assistance in relieving their debt. Referrals have also been made for other programs including, but not limited to SNAP benefits, Cancer Services, Community Health Advocates, and Legal Aide.”

One thing Navigators can’t do? Provide advice. “We often have people ask us what is the best choice for health insurance for them. Unfortunately we cannot give advice. What we will do is work with an individual for as long as they need to make the most informed decision. We will provide all of the important details to help you understand enough to find the right fit for your health, lifestyle, and budget.”

Snell offers advice for preparing for Open Enrollment: “Most people who enroll through the marketplace are seeking financial assistance to reduce the cost of premiums and out of pocket expenses. The amount of financial assistance you receive depends on your household income. It is best to have your most recent tax return handy, four weeks’ worth of paystubs, unemployment information, and information regarding all other income that comes into your household such as social security benefits, retirement benefits, or other taxable income.” For a full list of items you might need visit gethealthyslc.org, or nystateofhealth.ny.gov. Think you won’t qualify for assistance? Think again. A family of 4 may receive financial assistance in the form of tax credits with an income up to $94,000. You can see if you might be eligible by visiting http://info.nystateofhealth.ny.gov/calculator.

Once the application is submitted, more information will be needed to make an informed decision, “Not all doctors and hospitals will work with each insurance carrier, and vice versa. It is important to know who your providers and hospitals will work with. Another difference between carriers is pharmaceutical benefits. One carrier might prefer a certain brand drug, while another does not. This means you should have a list of your medications to refer to when making your plan choice.” Other factors that help you to make an informed decision include your health, and your budget.

Additional support is available online, in person in your community and by phone – you pick what works best for you. Assistance is available in multiple languages. To learn more, call the Health Initiative at 261-4760, visit nystateofhealth.ny.gov or call 1-855-355-5777.

This article was submitted by Anne Marie Snell, director of SHOP Enrollment and chief operating officer of WorkWell Investments, both operated by St. Lawrence Health Initiative, Inc. of Potsdam, a collaboration by Canton-Potsdam Hospital and Claxton-Hepburn Medical Center. Portions of the language in the article were provided by the state Department of Health outreach material.