Bucking National Trends, New York’s Uninsured Rate Continues to Decline, Reaching a Historic Low of 4.7 Percent

Under Governor Cuomo's Leadership, New York's Uninsured Rate is now the Lowest Among Large States

ALBANY, N.Y. (May 15, 2019)— NY State of Health, the state's official health plan Marketplace, today announced that New York's uninsured rate has reached the lowest point ever recorded at 4.7 percent in 2018, according to recently released data from the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's (CDC) National Health Interview Survey. Under Governor Cuomo's leadership, the state has reduced the number of uninsured people by 1.2 million since 2010, including nearly one million since the Marketplace opened in 2013.

"This historically low uninsured rate affirms that New York continues to lead the nation in prioritizing affordable, quality coverage, despite aggressive efforts to harm access at the federal level," said NY State of Health Executive Director, Donna Frescatore. "With over 4.7 million NY State of Health enrollees and counting, we will continue to work to get more New Yorkers covered."

The latest CDC survey also shows a notable reduction in the share of uninsured New Yorkers aged 18 to 64 from 7.1 percent in 2017 to 6.8 percent in 2018. As of January 31, 2019, the close of the sixth Open Enrollment Period, more than one in four New Yorkers now get their health insurance coverage through the NY State of Health. Marketplace enrollment is at its highest point ever, with more than 1 million people enrolled in Qualified Health Plans and the Essential Plan, which corresponds to the latest decline in New York's uninsured rate.

For additional details on enrollment through NY State of Health, including detailed demographic data, the 2019 Open Enrollment Report can be viewed here.