Enroll NY: Hudson Center for Health Equity & Quality

The Hudson Center for Health Equity & Quality (the Hudson Center) developed EnrollNY.org, a Web-based, self-service insurance tool that uninsured New Yorkers can access online to learn about coverage options, determine their eligibility for public insurance, and begin the application process.

The tool streamlines the largely on-paper enrollment process and paves the way for a paperless one. In 2009—the year following the end of the grant—the website had 8,692 unique visitors and an estimated 1,055 new enrollments were made through this system.

While aimed at easing entry to coverage, facilitated enrollment is still a largely paper-driven—and often error-prone—time-intensive process. With this grant, the Hudson Center for Health Equity & Quality (Hcheq) will reduce inefficiencies associated with this system through creation of a Web-based “self-service” insurance enrollment tool.

While aimed at easing entry to coverage, facilitated enrollment is still a largely paper-driven—and often error-prone—time-intensive process. With this grant, the Hudson Center for Health Equity & Quality (Hcheq) will reduce inefficiencies associated with this system through creation of a Web-based “self-service” insurance enrollment tool.

This tool will allow individuals to sign up for insurance anywhere the Internet is available—in their own homes, in public libraries, schools, or other community-based access points—and e-mail their applications to the health plan or facilitated enroller of their choice.

By implementing an online facilitated enrollment electronic application—an electronic tool that has been successfully operating in 10 upstate counties for five years—the center will expand enrollment to many more of the State’s 1.2 million eligible uninsured, particularly those not being captured by the traditional means of outreach. The center projects enrollment of more than 14,000 individuals. The software assists in the applicant “interview” process, completes all calculations for eligibility determination, and automatically generates a printable checklist of required documents. The website housing the e-application will offer educational information for applicants, including information about each health plan operating within its coverage area.  Please click here to visit the website.