Some Health Republic policyholders to be automatically enrolled in another plan for rest of 2015

Health Republic families and individuals who purchased their insurance policies from the state's exchange will be automatically enrolled in one of three health plans if they don't enroll in a new plan by the end of the month, the state said Friday.

The federally backed insurer is going out of business Nov. 30 because of financial problems. About 215,000 New Yorkers have until then to find new insurance to cover them for December. That total includes more than 19,500 Long Islanders who bought a policy from the state's health exchange, according to July state figures.

To make sure that people don't lose coverage, the state announced it has reached agreements with Fidelis Care, Excellus BlueCross BlueShield, and MVP Health Care to have those insurers auto-enroll individuals and families who bought insurance from the exchange. Of those, only Fidelis is offered on Long Island.

"While we encourage Health Republic customers to act as soon as possible to pick new insurance plans, this auto-enrollment option is critical to helping ensure a smooth transition to new coverage," Donna Frescatore, executive director of NY State of Health, said in a statement.

The state said the three insurers also have agreed to credit any deductible and out-of-pocket amounts that consumers have already paid through Health Republic coverage during 2015.

Individuals and families who enrolled with Health Republic on the exchange who haven't yet selected a new health plan will get a notice from NY State of Health next week, the state said, with an offer to enroll in one of the plans in the same tier or option closest to what they had with Health Republic.

In order for coverage to become effective, individuals must make their premium payment for December.

"Consumers who receive an auto-enrollment notice in the third week of November will still have until Nov. 30 to call the NYSOH and pick an alternative plan. Additionally, individuals may decline the coverage by not paying their December premium," the state said.

The state said the three insurers were chosen because "they offer consumers access to a broad network of providers and have competitive premium rates compared to Health Republic."

Fidelis Care was the most popular insurer on the exchange last year, with 20 percent of the total enrollment. Health Republic was second, with 19 percent. In Nassau, Fidelis was the top insurer, with 21 percent of enrollees. In Suffolk, Fidelis was second, with 23 percent, behind Health Republic, which had 25 percent of enrollees.

NY State of Health has established a Web page for Health Republic members: info.nystateofhealth.ny.gov/HealthRepublic. There is also a hotline: 855-329-8899.