–Statement from Medicare Rights Center President Fred Riccardi– 

New York, NY – The Medicare Rights Center commends Governor Andrew Cuomo for extending the Special Enrollment Period for uninsured New Yorkers through the end of the year, to ensure that more New Yorkers can access health care during the coronavirus public health emergency.   

On the Medicare Rights helpline, we often hear from people who desperately need health coverage and ask if they are eligible for Medicare. Now with the extension of this Special Enrollment Period, uninsured New Yorkers—who are not yet 65 years old, do not qualify for Medicare due to disability, or qualify for Medicaid or other NY State of Health programs—will not have to wait until January 1, 2021 to enroll in health coverage and get the care they need. New Yorkers who are not yet Medicare eligible can apply for coverage through NY State of Health, New York State’s health insurance marketplace, or directly through insurers. 

For more information on the extension of the Special Enrollment Period for uninsured New Yorkers, see Governor Cuomo’s press release. 

For information on how and when to enroll in Medicare during the coronavirus public health emergency, contact the Medicare Rights Center’s helpline at 1-800-333-4114, or visit Medicare Interactive, Medicare Rights’ free, online resource with answers to Medicare questions.