The New York State Department of Health (NYSDOH) has announced that the United States Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and United States Department of Treasury have approved New York's Section 1332 State Innovation Waiver application to expand the Essential Plan.  This approved State Innovation waiver expands health insurance and covers health-related social needs, improving health care and advancing health equity.  Through this waiver, New York will extend $0 premium comprehensive coverage through the Essential Plan to over 100,000 low-income New Yorkers.  This expansion will save these individuals an average of $4,700 per year compared to the cost of coverage in a Qualified Health Plan.  To read more about key components of the 1332 waiver and to review a timeline of the waiver application process, please click here.  To read Governor Hochul’s press release of this approval, please click here.