Oct 06, 2015
New York City Health + Hospitals and the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) are teaming up to offer free workshops to help New Yorkers understand Medicare, health care reform, the Affordable Care Act (ACA) and how to select and purchase insurance at “New York State of Health,” the state’s official online marketplace set up to provide health insurance under the ACA. Health insurance specialists from CMS will conduct six free sessions at Health + Hospitals facilities in Manhattan, Bronx, Brooklyn, and Queens between October 7 and November 10. The workshops are open to all members of the public, with senior citizens, caregivers and those who work with seniors especially encouraged to attend.
“While it is wonderful that through the Affordable Care Act people have increased access to care,” said Dr. Ram Raju, President of NYC Health + Hospitals, “to ensure themselves the greatest patient experience and the optimal use of resources available to them, people must be well informed about their choices to make the best possible decisions for themselves. That’s why we’re delighted to work with CMS to help patients navigate their benefits and take full advantage of the options available to them.”
The next open enrollment period for New York State of Health, when residents will be able to change their insurance plan or sign up for health insurance for the first time, will take place from November 1, 2015 through January 31, 2016. For people with Medicare, the annual enrollment period begins October 15, 2015 and ends December 7, 2015. During this time, people with Medicare can select a Medicare Advantage plan or prescription drug plan or switch plans if they are already enrolled.
The workshops will cover:
No programs have changed the lives of Americans over the last 50 years more than Medicare and Medicaid,” said Raymond Hurd, CMS Regional Administrator. “For example, before there was Medicaid, far too many people with disabilities, families with children, pregnant women and low-income working Americans were unable to afford the medical care they needed to stay healthy and productive.”
Registration is free and required ahead of the event. Event links for each location below provides additional information, including online registration, and a map of each location. Participants may also register by calling 212-788-3450 .
Wednesday, October 7
Harlem Hospital Center
506 Lenox Avenue, New York, New York 10037
Herbert G. Cave Auditorium
8:30am – 1pm
Friday, October 16
Lincoln Medical Center
234 East 149th Street, Bronx, NY 10451
Conference Rooms 4 and 5 (First floor)
8:30 – 1pm
Tuesday, October 20
Kings County Hospital
451 Clarkson Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11203
T Building Auditorium – 2nd Floor
8:30 – 1pm
Thursday, October 29
Woodhull Medical Center
760 Broadway, Brooklyn, NY 11206
Auditorium – 3rd Floor
8:30 – 1pm
Tuesday, November 10
Queens Hospital Center
82-68 164th Street, Jamaica, NY 11432
Auditorium
8:30 – 1pm
Contact: Ian Michaels, 212-788-3339
Jennifer Bender, 212-788-3339
