New York State Insurance Department
The New York State Insurance Department is responsible for regulating all types of insurance sold in the state of New York -- including health insurance policies.
If you are looking for health insurance coverage, the Insurance Department can help you find an insurance agent or insurance company that is licensed to do business in New York. You can also conduct your own online search to find licensed insurance agents and companies.
If you are having trouble resolving a claims dispute with your insurer, you can file a complaint with the Insurance Department. They have a complaint form available online in .pdf format.
New York State Insurance Department
Albany Office
One Commerce Plaza
Albany, NY 12257
Phone:518-474-6600
New York City Office
25 Beaver Street
New York, NY 10004-2319
Phone:212-480-6400
U.S. Department of Labor
If you get your insurance through your job, your plan is also regulated by the U.S. Department of Labor's Employee Benefits Security Administration (EBSA). They make and enforce the rules that your employer must follow when offering health insurance coverage to employees -- for example, your employer cannot single out an individual employee to exclude her from the plan because she (or one of her dependents) has a costly illness. Also, if there are 20 or more employees at your job, you should be offered COBRA continuation coverage when you leave your job. The EBSA works to make sure that all of this happens and your rights are protected.
If you have concerns about your employer's practices in administering your job-based health coverage -- for example, if you think you should have been offered COBRA continuation coverage, but were not, or if you feel that you were wrongly terminated from your health plan -- contact your regional EBSA office.
U.S. Department of Labor Employee Benefits Security Administration
New York (eastern)
New York Regional Office
33 Whitehall Street, Suite 1200
New York, NY 10004
Jonathan Kay - Director
Phone: 212-607-8600
Fax: 212-607-8681
New York (central/western)
Boston Regional Office
J.F.K. Building, Room 575
Boston, MA 02203
James Benages - Director
Phone: 617-565-9600
Fax: 617-565-9666
Buying Individual Policies in New York
Insurers in New York must offer you health coverage regardless of your health status. However, state law does not limit the monthly premium you can be charged for your insurance policy. Also, insurers may impose a pre-existing condition exclusion period of up to twelve months upon those individuals who do not have prior continuous coverage.
"HIPAA-eligible" individuals are exempt from these pre-existing condition exclusion periods. You may be HIPAA-eligible if you:
- had at least 18 months of continuous creditable coverage, the last day of which was under a group plan AND
- you have exhausted all COBRA continuation coverage which was available to you.
If you are not sure whether you are a HIPAA-eligible individual, your insurance agent or the New York State Insurance Department can help you find out.
Child Health Plus - the State Children's Health Insurance Program
Child Health Plus provides health insurance coverage for children under age 19 whose family income meets certain income guidelines.
Child Health Plus
NYS Health Department
Box 2000
Albany, NY 12220
Phone: 800-698-4KIDS
New York HIICAP - Health Insurance Information Counseling and Assistance Program
HIICAP provides free one-on-one counseling for Medicare beneficiaries with questions about any aspect of Medicare, including the Medicare Part D prescription drug benefit, or Medigap coverage.
New York HIICAP
Phone: 1-800-701-0501
New York Medicaid
Medicaid is a government program designed to help the poor and indigent obtain health care services. Pregnant women and children under age 19 who meet certain income requirements may be eligible for Medicaid coverage, along with aged, blind, and disabled individuals. For more information about New York's Medicaid program, including eligibility requirements, contact the New York State Department of Health at the number listed below.
New York State Department of Health
Corning Tower
Empire State Plaza
Albany, NY 12237
Phone: (518) 486-9057
