X

St. Lawrence County sees 44% jump in Health Exchange enrollment, mostly due to Medicaid

Posted 8/18/18

By JIMMY LAWTON St. Lawrence County continues to see higher enrollment on the New York Health Exchange with 5,339 new enrollees between 2017 and 2018. That’s an increase of about 44 percent over …

This item is available in full to subscribers.

Please log in to continue

Log in

St. Lawrence County sees 44% jump in Health Exchange enrollment, mostly due to Medicaid

Posted

By JIMMY LAWTON

St. Lawrence County continues to see higher enrollment on the New York Health Exchange with 5,339 new enrollees between 2017 and 2018.

That’s an increase of about 44 percent over the previous year, which is among the highest in the state, according to state Health Office report.

However, most of the increase comes from Medicaid recipients. Medicaid is a publicly funded health care program that assists low-income families with health care costs.

Across the state enrollment is up, but like the St. Lawrence County numbers, the data shows the majority of the increase is due to Medicaid enrollment.

In recent years the state income requirements for the Medicaid program were broadened with hopes of providing insurance coverage to more homes.

Enrollment up

About 17,344 St. Lawrence County residents receive insurance though New York’s Health Exchange. In 2017 12,005 residents received insurance on the exchange.

According to the report 12,909 St. Lawrence County residents are enrolled in Medicaid. That’s up from 8,191 in 2017.

About 1,781 are enrolled in Child Health Plus, which is up from 1,404 in 2017. About 1,830 are enrolled with the Essential plan, which is up from 1,705 last year.

Roughly 824 receive coverage through health providers on the exchange, which is up from 705 in 2017.

Of the 824 residents purchasing coverage from providers on the exchange, most are receiving benefits through Fidelis. About 526 residents, or 64 percent, are enrolled with Fidelis.

About 169 or 21 percent are enrolled with Excellus BlueCross BlueShield with 233 or 21 percent.

About 129 or 16 percent receive insurance from MVP Health Plan Inc.

Child Health Plus provides medical coverage for individuals under age 19 whose parents earn too much to qualify for Medicaid, but not enough to pay for private coverage.

The Essential plan is provides insurance for New Yorkers who can afford insurance, and can be purchased for as little as $20 per month for those who meet the income requirements.

Employer Coverage

While the New York Health Exchange continues to see growth the employer health insurance programs still insure the largest number of St. Lawrence County residents.

According to a 2016 Community Health Improvement Plan and Community Health Assessment the 45 percent of St. Lawrence County residents receive insurance though the workplace rather than the exchange.

Small businesses in New York can now purchase insurance through the health exchange for employee coverage but the number of businesses doing so remains relatively small and data for St. Lawrence County is not available, but statewide about 9,477 employees and dependents receive insurance this way.

Statewide Data

Across the state enrollment is up, but like the St. Lawrence County numbers, the data shows the majority of the increase is due to Medicaid enrollment.

As of January 31, 2018, 4,332,393 people throughout the state enrolled in coverage through the NY State of Health’s Individual Marketplace. This includes 253,102 people enrolled in QHPs with and without financial assistance, 738,851 in the Essential Plan (EP), 2,965,863 people enrolled in Medicaid, and 374,577 enrolled in Child Health Plus (CHP).