Q Where can I get assistance? NY State In-Person Assistors (IPA)/Navigators will provide education on the and A the insurance products available through the NY State of Health. of Health: Navigator locations will provide in person application assistance to individuals, families and Understanding small businesses and their employees at initial enrollment and when renewing coverage. Navigators remove barriers to the application process by providing assistance in multiple languages, in the Affordable community-based settings during non-traditional hours such as evenings and weekends. Care Act SOME NAVIGATOR AGENCY SITES IN OUR AREA: Caribbean Women’s Health Association Yeled V’Yalda Head Start (Canarsie) How health care reform is 3512 Church Avenue; (718) 826-2942 6012 Farragut Road making a difference for the Wednesday: 2:00 p.m.–6:00 p.m. (Twice a (718) 209-1122 month) Saturday: 9:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m. Monday: CLOSED people of Tuesday: 8:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m., Brooklyn Public Library Wednesday: 12:00 p.m.–8:00 p.m., 9612 Church Avenue Thursday: 9:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m., (718) 922-0931 Friday: 9:00 a.m.–1:30 p.m. & Tuesday: 1:00 p.m.–7:00 p.m. Sunday*: 9:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m. Brooklyn Perinatal Network-Brownsvile Please call Assemblyman Nick Perry at 444 Thomas Boyland Street, Room 204/206 (718) 385-3336 for additional help and (718) 240-9033 locations. Tuesday: 8:30 a.m.–10:30 a.m. & 12:00 p.m.–5:30 p.m.

Dear Neighbor, For too long, hardworking Americans paid the price for health care that put insurance company profits ahead of patients. The federal Affordable Care Act (ACA) helps give New Yorkers the health security they deserve. The ACA improves health care coverage for all of us and lowers the cost of health care. For many, the coverage will be offered for free or at a reduced cost through tax credits and subsidies that are only available through the NY State of Health exchange. Beginning Oct. 1, 2013, millions of New Yorkers can enroll for health coverage through New York’s health benefit exchange—known as the NY State of Health—as part of the ACA. New Yorkers can find important information at www.nystateofhealth.ny.gov, by emailing [email protected] or by calling the ex- change at 855-355-5777. Coverage through the exchange takes effect Jan. 1, 2014. The ACA does many things. This pamphlet outlines the most important parts of the new law for you and your family and for small businesses. Inside, you will find answers to the most common questions about the ACA. As always, if I can be of any assis- tance in this or any other community issue, please call 718-385-3336 or email me at [email protected]. Sincerely,

Courtesy of Assemblyman N. Nick Perry N. Nick Perry Member of Assembly FAQs about the Affordable Care Act and NY State of Health

5. Will the exchange 7. How do I apply 1. Who does the and buy health insurance similar to the way Q Q Q many people buy airline tickets or book hotel affect my or enroll? ACA benefit? rooms. coverage? A To enroll, call the NY State Whether you need health insurance or of Health benefit exchange at A The exchange also makes it easy for people No. The exchange doesn’t affect have it already, the ACA offers new A 855-355-5777 or go to the website at to check their eligibility for health care anyone’s Medicare coverage. The rights and protections that make coverage www.nystateofhealth.ny.gov. To make an programs like and Child Health Plus exchange is intended to help New Yorkers fairer and easier to understand. For many and to sign up for these programs if eligible. appointment with a trained enroller at who aren’t eligible for Medicare get health individuals, families and businesses, Community Health Advocates – a network of coverage. additional benefits will depend on household Eligibility for Medicaid, Child Health Plus or 38 community-based organizations from income or the size of the business. subsidized private insurance is determined The exchange doesn’t affect your Medicare around New York State selected to help by the exchange and is based on household New Yorkers shop for and enroll in health Before the ACA, many Americans were choices, whether you get coverage through income, family size and other factors. coverage – email [email protected]. excluded from quality health insurance Original Medicare or a Medicare Advantage because they couldn’t afford private Families with incomes less than four times Plan. You’ll need to provide information for you and insurance, didn’t qualify for Medicaid or the poverty level, or $94,200 per year for a However, Medicare benefits have expanded your family. You can then choose the plan had low-quality coverage through their job. family of four, will have their out-of-pocket under the ACA. Free preventive benefits, that works best, get financial assistance if The ACA ensures hardworking families will costs reduced or even eliminated through eligible and pay your plan premium, if any. cancer screenings and annual wellness visits get the care they deserve and protects premium and cost-sharing assistance Americans from insurance company abuse. programs. are now included. The “doughnut hole” in To find help in your area call Community Part D drug coverage has been eliminated. Health Advocates at 888-614-5400 or Under both the ACA and New York State law, You can also save money through discounts visit www.communityhealthadvocates.org/ insurance companies are required to spend 3. When does the on brand-name prescription drugs. chaagencies. the overwhelming majority of your premium Q dollars on health care, not administrative “individual mandate” costs and profits. take effect? Q 6. When can I sign up for Q 8. What will I need health insurance through to apply? A The ACA includes a mandate for most 2. What is the NY State of individuals to have health insurance the NY State of Health benefit A To apply, you’ll need: Q either through their employer or individually exchange? Health benefit exchange? by March 31, 2014. • Social Security numbers, if available; The New York health benefit exchange A Starting Oct. 1, 2013, insurance • birthdates; A – known as the NY State of Health – is coverage can be purchased through • proof of income (pay stubs, W-2 forms the new health coverage marketplace for New 4. Why should I get the exchange at www.nystateofhealth.ny.gov. Q or wage and tax statements); Yorkers. It’s for individuals buying coverage – insurance? However, coverage doesn’t begin until Jan. especially if your income qualifies you for tax 1, 2014. You can also apply for Medicaid or • policy numbers for any current health credits under the ACA – and for small A We don’t know when we’ll need health Child Health Plus through the exchange. insurance; and care and it can be very expensive. business owners who want coverage for their • information about any health insurance employees. Insurance can remove obstacles to care and protect you financially if you or someone in you or your family could get from your You’re able to easily compare health your family gets sick, has a chronic condition employer. insurance options and enroll in health or is injured. Coverage guarantees you’ll coverage online, over the phone, in person or have access to preventive care and by mail. Think of it as a new way to compare emergency care if you need it. continued on back

Courtesy of Assemblyman N. Nick Perry • [email protected] • 903 Utica Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11203, 718-385-3336 “The Affordable Care Act puts patients before insurance company profits. Find out how it will help your family or your small business.” – Assemblyman N. Nick Perry

5. Will the exchange 7. How do I apply 1. Who does the and buy health insurance similar to the way Q Q Q many people buy airline tickets or book hotel affect my Medicare or enroll? ACA benefit? rooms. coverage? A To enroll, call the NY State Whether you need health insurance or of Health benefit exchange at A The exchange also makes it easy for people No. The exchange doesn’t affect have it already, the ACA offers new A 855-355-5777 or go to the website at to check their eligibility for health care anyone’s Medicare coverage. The rights and protections that make coverage www.nystateofhealth.ny.gov. To make an programs like Medicaid and Child Health Plus exchange is intended to help New Yorkers fairer and easier to understand. For many and to sign up for these programs if eligible. appointment with a trained enroller at who aren’t eligible for Medicare get health individuals, families and businesses, Community Health Advocates – a network of coverage. additional benefits will depend on household Eligibility for Medicaid, Child Health Plus or 38 community-based organizations from income or the size of the business. subsidized private insurance is determined The exchange doesn’t affect your Medicare around New York State selected to help by the exchange and is based on household New Yorkers shop for and enroll in health Before the ACA, many Americans were choices, whether you get coverage through income, family size and other factors. coverage – email [email protected]. excluded from quality health insurance Original Medicare or a Medicare Advantage because they couldn’t afford private Families with incomes less than four times Plan. You’ll need to provide information for you and insurance, didn’t qualify for Medicaid or the poverty level, or $94,200 per year for a However, Medicare benefits have expanded your family. You can then choose the plan had low-quality coverage through their job. family of four, will have their out-of-pocket under the ACA. Free preventive benefits, that works best, get financial assistance if The ACA ensures hardworking families will costs reduced or even eliminated through eligible and pay your plan premium, if any. cancer screenings and annual wellness visits get the care they deserve and protects premium and cost-sharing assistance Americans from insurance company abuse. programs. are now included. The “doughnut hole” in To find help in your area call Community Part D drug coverage has been eliminated. Health Advocates at 888-614-5400 or Under both the ACA and New York State law, You can also save money through discounts visit www.communityhealthadvocates.org/ insurance companies are required to spend 3. When does the on brand-name prescription drugs. chaagencies. the overwhelming majority of your premium Q dollars on health care, not administrative “individual mandate” costs and profits. take effect? Q 6. When can I sign up for Q 8. What will I need health insurance through to apply? A The ACA includes a mandate for most 2. What is the NY State of individuals to have health insurance the NY State of Health benefit A To apply, you’ll need: Q either through their employer or individually exchange? Health benefit exchange? by March 31, 2014. • Social Security numbers, if available; The New York health benefit exchange A Starting Oct. 1, 2013, insurance • birthdates; A – known as the NY State of Health – is coverage can be purchased through • proof of income (pay stubs, W-2 forms the new health coverage marketplace for New 4. Why should I get the exchange at www.nystateofhealth.ny.gov. Q or wage and tax statements); Yorkers. It’s for individuals buying coverage – insurance? However, coverage doesn’t begin until Jan. especially if your income qualifies you for tax 1, 2014. You can also apply for Medicaid or • policy numbers for any current health credits under the ACA – and for small A We don’t know when we’ll need health Child Health Plus through the exchange. insurance; and care and it can be very expensive. business owners who want coverage for their • information about any health insurance employees. Insurance can remove obstacles to care and protect you financially if you or someone in you or your family could get from your You’re able to easily compare health your family gets sick, has a chronic condition employer. insurance options and enroll in health or is injured. Coverage guarantees you’ll coverage online, over the phone, in person or have access to preventive care and by mail. Think of it as a new way to compare emergency care if you need it. continued on back

Courtesy of Assemblyman N. Nick Perry • [email protected] • 903 Utica Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11203, 718-385-3336 continued from inside having to pay a deductible or business at no charge to explain year are eligible for up to 50 co-pay. More information on the new options to you and your percent in tax credits to help offset 9. What standards preventive care services can be employees. Navigators are also the cost of coverage for their Q found at www.healthcare.gov/ available to meet with individual employees. An employer will need can I expect of my what-are-my-preventive-care- employees during work hours or to provide: after hours to help them enroll in insurance after the benefits. • the company’s identifying the exchange. change? information (e.g. FEIN, payroll tax number, etc.); Starting in 2014, all health 11. I already have Trained and certified by New York A Q State to offer free and independent insurance plans will have to insurance through • how much the company is willing meet certain standards. All plans assistance, navigators are to contribute to its employees’ have to offer high-quality coverage my job. What do I need available to help you choose a plan (can be $0); plan, enroll your employees and that includes preventive care, to do? claim tax credits if you qualify. • a list of employees’ names and prescription drugs, emergency They can also explain health identifying information (e.g. services, hospitalization, maternity If you have health insurance A insurance verbiage and provide birthdates, SSNs, etc.); and newborn care, mental health through your job, you don’t ongoing assistance with staff care, substance abuse treatment need to do anything. Some new • policy numbers for any current changes. and pediatric services, including benefits may be included under health insurance; and your existing plan, but you don’t oral and vision care. To find a navigator in your • the average wages of employees need to act for this to go into effect. area, email Community Health if easily accessible (needed for Additionally, insurers are Advocates at [email protected] or tax credit purposes). prohibited from capping how If your share of your job-based call 888-614-5400. much they’ll cover per year or per insurance premium costs more lifetime. than 9.5 percent of your income, you can get financial assistance to buy insurance on the exchange Q 13. What benefits Q 10. What by visiting www.nystateofhealth. are there for small preventive ny.gov. businesses? What will I services will be need to enroll as a covered without Q 12. I am a small small business owner? business owner. deductibles or A Small businesses with 50 or co-pays? What if I can’t afford to fewer full-time employees offer health insurance? earning an average of less than A You may be eligible for free $50,000 a year are eligible to preventive screenings, like A As part of the NY State of purchase insurance coverage blood pressure and cholesterol Health, community-based through the NY State of Health. tests, mammograms and organizations have been Employers that have less than 25 colonoscopies, as well as vaccines, designated as “navigators” and full-time employees earning an contraception and more, without are available to come to your average of less than $50,000 a