With a month and a half left in the second open enrollment period under the Affordable Care Act, professionals who help connect New Yorkers with insurance see a change in how individuals approach health coverage this year.
Many health insurance professionals say New Yorkers understand Obamacare better this year.
Jeff Welcher, account consultant with Rochester-area Bene-Care, says choosing a plan is still not a decision to be taken lightly.
“It's amazing how much there is to this whole situation, and education is key," Welcher said. "This is not look at it for 10 minutes once a year. This is more important than retirement. This is more important than housing. This is a crucial component of life planning.”
At Rochester health center St. Joseph’s Neighborhood Center, executive director Christine Wagner explains that more people are comfortable using the New York State of Health website.
“They're also realizing that navigators can be really, really helpful in knowing all the layers of this onion,” Wagner said.
Wagner says many clients who chose not to enroll in the exchange during the first open enrollment have returned to reconsider that option during this open enrollment. The enrollment period runs until February 15.
