Affinity Health Plan to Enter NY State Health Plan Marketplace With Extensive Provider and Hospital Network

BRONX, N.Y., Sept. 24, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Affinity Health Plan announced today that its Essential Plan will be offered on the New York State of Health: The Official Health Plan Marketplace with a competitive price structure and an extensive provider network. As an independent health plan with deep roots in the community, Affinity is positioned ideally to serve the populations who will shop for coverage on the Health Plan Marketplace.

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Individuals and families enrolling in this plan will have access to Affinity's Essential Plan network, which includes approximately 33,000 doctors and other health care providers and 68 of the leading hospitals in the New York metro area – one of the largest provider networks on the exchange.

"Everyone deserves access to the best care available and that's what we bring to the new health plan marketplace.  Beginning October 1^st, New Yorkers will be able to purchase health insurance in a whole new way, with medical care made more affordable, regardless of income or health status," said Bert Scott, Affinity's President & CEO. "This is an important moment for us to help keep our families and our communities healthy. With coverage, people will move from a dependence on emergency room care to informed, proactive, preventive care-seeking behaviors, marked by a steady relationship with their doctors. This transition can lead to better decisions at the individual level, and lower costs throughout the system."

Affinity members and providers on the Health Plan Marketplace can expect the same level of care management and customer service that has consistently placed Affinity among the top plans according to the New York State annual Consumer Guide.  With nearly 30 years' experience providing coverage to low and moderate income New Yorkers, Affinity understands the changing healthcare needs of a diverse population.

"Having access to a large network of doctors, who speak their patients' language and are in their neighborhoods, is one of the most important elements of a quality health plan," added Scott.  "Ensuring consumers can access quality healthcare, when and where they need it, is at the heart of our mission – and that's why we have worked to secure one of the largest provider networks available on the Health Plan Marketplace."

A recent survey of more than 4,200 New York adults eligible for the Health Plan Marketplace showed that 'having many doctors to choose from' and 'ease of making an appointment' were more important to consumers than 'having the lowest-cost plan available.'

Affinity will mark the first day of open enrollment on October 1^st with "Affinity Community Day," a celebration and ribbon-cutting ceremony at an Affinity Community Service Center in Brooklyn, 2230D Church Avenue. All are welcome.  Local elected officials, community leaders, New York residents and Affinity employees will enjoy music, food and entertainment, and benefit from free multilingual health insurance resources and counseling to help uninsured residents navigate the Marketplace.

Affinity is offering a variety of plans on the New York State Health Plan Marketplace. For more information, visit www.affinityplan.org/health_benefit_exchange/.

For information on New York State of Health: The Official Health Plan Marketplace, visit www.nystateofhealth.ny.gov.

About Affinity Health Plan - Affinity Health Plan is an independent, not-for-profit organization offering quality health care coverage to underserved New Yorkers. Affinity is proud to be an approved health plan for NY State of Health: The Official Health Plan Marketplace, and to continue providing programs sponsored by New York State Medicaid managed care and Medicare. Founded in 1986, Affinity serves members in New York City, Nassau, Suffolk, Westchester, Rockland and Orange counties. For more information, visit www.affinityplan.org or follow Affinity on Facebook and YouTube. 

SOURCE Affinity Health Plan