Residents in the Hudson Valley and others throughout the State are hurrying to sign up for health insurance by March 31, 2014 to avoid paying an IRS penalty on their 2014 tax return. When you are looking at different insurance plans on the New York State of Health exchange web site, look carefully at the network of hospitals and medical doctors (called providers) that are listed. These networks generally offer fewer numbers of providers (hospitals and doctors) than before the passage of ACA (Affordable Care Act of 2010).

IMPORTANT: Call your medical doctor or hospital to verify that they accept the insurance plan that you are thinking to enroll in. Don’t rely on the carriers’ web site to see what providers are available in your neighborhood. Sometimes this online info may be missing, wrong or out of date. You don’t want last minute delays or a decline by a hospital or doctor  when you actually need the care of a doctor or hospital.  Do your homework now that will permit you to see your doctor or use a desired hospital when medical care is needed.