MetroPlus Health Plan recently announced that more Staten Islanders have enrolled in its affordable health insurance coverage, an important step in supporting New York City’s commitment to guarantee health care to all New Yorkers. NYC’s public option health insurance plan reported a jump in membership on Staten Island by nearly 250% in one year. More than 5,200 Staten Islanders chose MetroPlus as their preferred plan of choice by the end of 2018, compared to 1,500 at the end of 2017. The five-star health plan also expanded its provider network to 400 physicians and specialists on Staten Island to offer comprehensive coverage for primary and preventive care, mental health services, and other specialty care that meets the health needs of the community, including the comprehensive outpatient services available at the new NYC Health + Hospitals/Gotham Health, Vanderbilt center that opened last year.
MetroPlus is the low-cost, high-quality health insurance plan of the NYC Health + Hospitals and growing its membership is part of the public health system’s comprehensive, multi-year redesign to build a competitive, sustainable organization that will continue to offer high-quality and accessible health care to the people of New York City.
“Too many Staten Islanders are still living without health insurance or guaranteed health care,” said Mitchell Katz, MD, President and CEO, NYC Health + Hospitals. “We will continue to step up our efforts to engage more Staten Islanders who are eligible but uninsured to get them connected to the affordable insurance options available through MetroPlus and ensure access to quality care in their community.”
“There is no question that MetroPlus was embraced by Staten Islanders because of our caring representatives, our membership benefits, and the amazing care they can receive from our growing network of providers,” said Roger Milliner, Chief Growth Officer of MetroPlus. “We are committed to improving the health and well-being of Staten Island families, and providing the quality and affordable health insurance that brings peace of mind.”
“Since moving to the US and joining MetroPlus, the health plan has put me and my children first,” said Aishat Yemi Akinwale of Mariner’s Harbor, MetroPlus member since January 2018. “Enrolling was simple and stress free. My children were able to get their immunizations and start school right away. We are able to go to various doctors and the best facilities in NYC, including the Gotham Health center right here on Vanderbilt Avenue. I am thankful and blessed to be a MetroPlus Member.”
“Our strong collaboration with MetroPlus allows us to offer a seamless integration of health services and health coverage,” said Dr. Edward Bailin of NYC Health + Hospitals/Gotham Health, Vanderbilt. “Our clinical team and the MetroPlus staff work very closely to coordinate the care that is needed at our facility. It’s a true partnership that greatly benefits our patients and the Staten Island community we serve.”
“The increasing number of Staten Islanders signing up for MetroPlus’ quality, affordable insurance is good news for the health of individuals, good new for our strained emergency rooms, and good news for the health of our borough as a whole,” said New York City Council Member Debi Rose.
MetroPlus Medicaid and Child Health Plus products became available on Staten Island in the spring of 2017, with Medicare added to the portfolio in the fall of 2018. MetroPlus partners with many local organizations, including schools, community-based organizations, city agencies, the College of Staten Island/CUNY, Jobs Plus, Workforce 1, Get Covered NYC and IDNYC, to help Staten Islanders enroll in affordable health insurance coverage.
MetroPlus offers eligible New Yorkers a wide selection of health insurance options, with affordable fees and copays based on income and family size. The most popular plans include:
- Medicaid – low or no cost plan for low income children and adults up to 64 yrs old
- Medicare – low or no cost plan for adults 64 yrs old+
- Child Health Plus – low or no cost plan for children under 19 regardless of immigration status
- Essential Plan – for adults 19-64 yrs old not eligible for Medicaid, offering monthly premiums of $0 – $20 based on income
- Qualified Health Plan – for eligible New York City residents, offering cost share reductions that lower out of pocket costs
- Partnership in Care (HIV Special Needs Plan) – for children and adults who are New York City, Medicaid-eligible residents living with HIV/Aids
- MetroPlus Gold – for New York City employees and their families, with no copays, no deductibles.
MetroPlus also offers special membership benefits that include:
- Gym Reimbursement – members of select plans and their spouses can save up to $1,000 in gym fees every year
- Member Rewards program – members can earn points for completing health and wellness activities and redeem them for hundreds of popular items from our catalogue
- Annual Wellness Visits – annual exam that helps members and their providers collaborate on a personalized plan of care.
MetroPlus earned an overall rating of five stars, the highest possible score, in the New York State Department of Health’s recently released “2018 Consumer’s Guide to Medicaid and Child Health Plus Managed Care Plans in New York City.” The State’s guide is an annual rating of managed care plans on quality of care delivered and members’ satisfaction with the care and services they receive. MetroPlus is one of only two plans serving New York City to achieve the highest state rating this year.
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