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Health Care Enrollment Deadline Looms

www.newyorkstateofhealth.ny.gov

Sunday, February 15th marks the last day to sign up for health insurance on the New York State of Health Marketplace. 

Officials running both the state and federal health exchanges expect the websites to be flooded with procrastinators who haven’t signed up for health coverage.

The New York health department will hold several in-person enrollment events over the weekend to meet expected demand.

Executive Director Donna Frescatore says a swell of interest is typical close to each deadline, "Our enrollment is pretty steady, but we do expect and we are ready for a surge."

Late Friday, the NYS Health Department did announce that people who have taken steps to apply for coverage on or before the February 15 deadline, but have been unable to complete the enrollment process, will have until February 28 to finish their application and enroll in a health plan.

Earlier this month, Governor Andrew Cuomo announced 429,972 new enrollees this year.

At the same time, the governor boasted a total of 2,004,827 people had used the marketplace to sign up for insurance since it opened over a year ago.

Most New Yorkers who miss the deadline won’t be able to sign up for health coverage until the 2016 open enrollment period. The exception to that rule: people who go through a major life event, like a change in employment or family status.

More information about enrollment events this weekend can be found at the New York State of Health website.

In Rochester, Coordinated Care Services Inc, at 1099 Jay Street, has an open house until 7 p.m. Friday evening.

Greece Ridge Mall will hold an event from noon to 7 p.m. Saturday.