Cover the Uninsured Week is March 22-28:
Among New York’s working-age adults, employer-based coverage rates are decreasing as uninsured and government-based coverage rates are slightly climbing, according to a new report.
As part of national Cover the Uninsured Week, Excellus BlueCross BlueShield offers free assistance for uninsured people who need help finding a health plan that is right for them.
Excellus BlueCross BlueShield representatives will be at locations in Syracuse and East Syracuse, helping people determine whether they are eligible for government-based health insurance programs — such as Family Health Plus, Child Health Plus, Healthy New York and Medicaid Managed Care.
Excellus BlueCross BlueShield offers free screenings for the uninsured at a time when the rate of working-age New York state adults who have health coverage from their employers is decreasing. Simultaneously, the rate of working-age adults in the state who are uninsured or receiving their health insurance from government programs is slightly growing, according to a report released today by Excellus BlueCross BlueShield.
At the free screenings, Excellus BlueCross BlueShield representatives, after evaluating individuals’ eligibility, can also help people complete the necessary paperwork. Appointments are not needed.
During Cover the Uninsured Week, Excellus BlueCross BlueShield representatives will be available at the following times and locations:
Excellus BlueCross BlueShield
400 S. Salina St., Syracuse
Monday, March 231 p.m. to 6 p.m.
Tuesday, March 249 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Thursday, March 261 p.m. to 5 p.m.
Friday, March 279 a.m. to 4 p.m.
P.E.A.C.E.
202 S. Beech St., Syracuse
Monday, March 239 a.m. to noon
Thursday, March 269 a.m. to noon
MANOS Early Education Program
Seymour Magnet School
108 Shonnard St., Syracuse
Wednesday, March 252 p.m. to 4 p.m.
P&C
4410 E. Genesee St., Syracuse
Saturday, March 2810 a.m. to noon
Employer vs. Government Coverage
{Q}The rate of employment-based coverage among New York state working-age adults (ages 18 to 64) declined from an average of 65.1 percent in 2004-2005 to an average of 63.7 percent in 2006-2007, according to the Excellus BlueCross BlueShield report, “The Facts About Health Coverage in New York State.”{Q}
At the same time, the rate of working-age adults with government-based coverage increased slightly, from 16.2 percent to 16.9 percent, and the uninsured rate grew from 17.4 percent to 18.1 percent.
Upstate’s Advantage
More than 661,000 children and adults in upstate New York — or 10.9 percent of the population — were uninsured from 2005 to 2007.
Upstate New York’s 10.9 percent uninsured rate for children and adults, however, was lower than the New York state rate of 13.4 percent and the national rate of 15.4 percent from 2005 to 2007. When comparing upstate New York’s uninsured rate to that of other states, upstate has the 12th lowest uninsured rate in the country, according to the report.
“People in upstate New York are fortunate because they are more likely to have health insurance than their counterparts elsewhere in the state and nation,” Reed said.
“But there are still too many people who are going without health coverage, a situation which will likely get worse given the tough economy,” he added. “This is problematic, since people without health insurance risk significant health problems and financial hardship should they get seriously sick or hurt.”
For More Information
If people cannot make any of the screenings during Cover the Uninsured Week, they can call 1 (800) 716-4885 to schedule an appointment.
People who want to enroll in a government-based plan at the screenings should bring documentation, such as their original birth certificate, Social Security card and proof of current income and residency (e.g., utility bill). Adults (not children) will also need proof of current financial resources (e.g., checking and/or savings account statement, etc.) to enroll.
To access the report, “The Facts About Health Coverage in New York State,” click on the “Policy and Research” tab at www.excellusbcbs.com.
This information come to you from:
Excellus BlueCross BlueShield, a nonprofit independent licensee of the BlueCross BlueShield Association, is part of a family of companies that finances and delivers vital health care services to 1.8 million people across upstate New York. Excellus BlueCross BlueShield provides access to high-quality, affordable health coverage, including valuable health-related resources that our members use every day, such as cost-saving prescription drug discounts and wellness tracking tools in our Step Up program. To learn more, visit excellusbcbs.com.
