NY State of Health, the state’s official health plan Marketplace, today released detailed demographic data on the more than 3.6 million New Yorkers who enrolled in a health plan through the close of the fourth open enrollment period on Jan. 31.

Approximately 18 percent of the state’s population (nearly one in five New Yorkers) enrolled in a health plan through NY State of Health as of the end of the 2017 open enrollment period, officials said. The success of NY State of Health has resulted in a significant drop in the state’s uninsured rate, from 10 to 5 percent between 2013 and 2016, according to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

“New York State has been a national leader in enrolling people in high quality, affordable health insurance since its inception,” said state Department of Health Commissioner Dr. Howard Zucker. “The latest numbers offer further proof that the Marketplace is vital to the state’s health care system, providing consumers with the health coverage they need.”

“This past open enrollment period was our busiest yet, demonstrating that New Yorkers want and need affordable health insurance coverage,” said Donna Frescatore, executive director of NY State of Health. “Enrollment increased in every corner of the state, showing that we’re successfully reaching consumers and meeting consumer demands.”

NY State of Health 2017 Open Enrollment Report Highlights include:

• 3.6 Million New Yorkers Enrolled

• The 18 percent of the state’s population enrolled as of Jan. 31 represents a net increase of nearly 800,000 since January 2016, when 2.8 million people were enrolled.

Approximately  $1.4 million has been awarded by the AHI Performing Provider System (AHI PPS) to partner organizations in the Glens Falls region to undertake innovative health care projects.

Innovation grant funding, part of the state’s Delivery System Reform Incentive Payment (DSRIP) program’s efforts to fundamentally restructure the Medicaid system, will support the implementation of five progressive projects involving Glens Falls Hospital, Hudson Headwaters Health Network, Fort Hudson Health System, the Open Door Mission, and Warren-Washington Association for Mental Health, officials said.

All told, more than $3.9 million was awarded to 10 organizations in five North Country regions (St. Lawrence County, Saranac Lake/Essex County, Fulton County, Plattsburgh, and Glens Falls).

“Each of the awarded Innovation Grant projects in the Glens Falls region align with the overarching DSRIP goal of population health and an integrated delivery system,” said Margaret M. Vosburgh, CEO of Adirondack Health Institute.

Officials said many of the projects in the five-region PPS focus on improving behavioral health outcomes through a wide range of initiatives, including the establishment of a program to increase access to psychiatric providers via live, face-to-face, interactive telepsychiatry services in the Glens Falls region.

A new concept in preventive health care was unveiled at Albany Medical Center in May.

The only program of its kind in the region, the Executive Health Program was designed to allow busy business executives to tap into Albany Med’s extensive medical expertise, but with the personal attention and setting more reminiscent of a fine hotel than a hospital, officials said.

The program is housed in a newly constructed suite at Albany Med.

“The Executive Health Program was developed for individuals whose time is at a premium but understand the importance of being proactive about their health,” said Kevin Leyden, senior vice president for Business Development and Strategic Partnerships at Albany Medical Center. “It offers access to an outstanding team of health care professionals who can diagnose and evaluate medical problems and formulate preventive strategies.”

According to Dr. Nathan Mitkoff, medical director of the program, it provides “a comprehensive health evaluation, including a cardiac stress test, blood test and uranalysis, history and physical, and discussion of results. Optional services are also available, depending on the patient’s needs. Best of all, tests can be completed in several hours and most results shared during the appointment, which lasts about two hours—again respectful of our patient’s limited time.”