Pa. online health insurance marketplace opens

Pennie, Pennsylvania’s official online health insurance marketplace, is now open to all state residents to apply, compare plans, and enroll in high-quality health coverage.  

The annual Open Enrollment Period is an opportunity for Pennsylvanians to take advantage of substantial savings on 2023 coverage created by the American Rescue Plan and extended by the Inflation Reduction Act. 

Nine out of 10 Pennie customers qualify for financial savings and thus are eligible for subsidized monthly premiums on their health insurance. Nearly 40% of Pennie customers pay less than $75 per month. Pennie helps keep costs down amid rising inflation, and Open Enrollment is an opportunity for Pennsylvanians to protect their health and wallets by getting the coverage and care they need. 

“Easy access to affordable quality health coverage for all Pennsylvanians who want it is the bedrock on which Pennie was founded. As we strive to maximize the number of insured Pennsylvanians, the goal isn’t just to have insurance but to have insurance someone can actually use,” Pennie Executive Director Zachary W. Sherman said in a statement. “For anyone not insured through their job, Medical Assistance, or Medicare, I encourage them to explore their options through Pennie to see how we can help lower monthly premiums on high-quality health coverage from the top insurance companies across the commonwealth.” 

Representatives from Pennie, the Pennsylvania Insurance Department (PID), and Pennsylvania Association of Community Health Centers (PACHC) celebrated the start of the Open Enrollment period recently at Sadler Health Center in Carlisle.  

Pennsylvania Acting Insurance Company Commissioner Michael Humphreys said the Open Enrollment period marks the premier time to explore options and shop to find a plan, even for those who have insurance. He added that quality, comprehensive health care coverage has never been more affordable or more within reach for Pennsylvanians. 

“The Insurance Department’s goal of increased competition in the Marketplace has resulted in more choices, and increased affordability for consumers across the commonwealth,” said Humphreys. “We encourage consumers to research and compare plans to find coverage that best fits their needs and provides robust benefits for themselves and their families.” 

A recent change in federal policy has improved the affordability of health insurance for family members with insurance through a spouse or parent’s work. In 2023, Pennsylvanians paying more than 9.2% of their household income for a family plan through a family member’s job apply through Pennie to receive premium savings to reduce their cost of coverage. Families previously locked out of receiving Affordable Care Act subsidies can apply or update their application to enroll and receive the savings. 

“Our network of Community Health Centers continues to play a key role in ensuring Pennsylvanians gain the security of health coverage and access to quality affordable care.  In-person, unbiased Certified Enrollment Assisters are available to help patients and customers wade through the complexity of applying for health insurance at many locations statewide,” said Tia Whitaker, Statewide Director of Outreach and Enrollment at the Pennsylvania Association of Community Health Centers. 

As the Inflation Reduction Act has helped to provide additional savings and lower costs of premiums making it easier to enroll in coverage, Whitaker advised those interested to find a local Community Health Center by visiting pachc.org. 

Pennie and PID encourage those seeking coverage to go to Pennie.com prior to Jan. 15 and enroll in one of the options available in their area. Pennie’s Open Enrollment Period extends to Jan. 15, 2023. The deadline for coverage starting Jan. 1 is Dec. 15. For those enrolling between Dec. 15-Jan. 16, coverage will start Feb. 1, 2023.