Andrew J. Spano
County Executive

November 24, 1999

VIP Update

Contact Mary Landrigan

(914) 637-4715

The Westchester County Department of Health today announced that the first 1,000 vouchers have been issued in the New York State’s Voucher Insurance Program (VIP) pilot project. Of these 1,000 vouchers, approximately 80% have been from Westchester County.

"This is encouraging news considering that the program was only recently initiated," stated Dr. Harold N. Adel, Westchester County Health Commissioner. "VIP is especially important because it is the first program extending insurance to adults regardless of their employment status."

Westchester County and Rensselaer County were selected by the state for the new pilot program. The program enables New York State residents living in Westchester and Rensselaer counties without health insurance to obtain coverage at a low cost.

The VIP covers:

• Primary and preventive care
• Outpatient surgery and anesthesia
• X-ray and lab services
• Screenings for women’s health issues
• Well child care

The voucher pays 80 percent of outpatient health insurance premiums. There is also a $2 co-payment.

"This is an important step towards insuring lower-income residents who don’t have health insurance," Dr. Adel added, "with the ultimate goal being universal health coverage for all Westchester residents."

For more information on VIP, contact the Westchester County Department of Health at (914) 813-5000 or call MDI Associates toll free at 1-877-5 VOUCHER.

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