PHILADELPHIA, PA — Pennsylvania’s official health insurance marketplace, Pennie, has extended the deadline for enrollment in 2024 health coverage until January 19. This extension, announced by Pennie Executive Director Devon Trolley, Pennsylvania Insurance Department Commissioner Michael Humphreys, Pennsylvania Department of Human Services Secretary Dr. Val Arkoosh and Pennsylvania Senator Sharif Street, gives residents an extra few days beyond the original January 15 cutoff, due to the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday.
This announcement could have a significant impact on the lives of many Pennsylvanians. Currently, 9 out of 10 enrollees qualify for financial savings through Pennie, reducing their cost of coverage and care by over $500 a month on average. This extension provides a crucial window for those who may have been unaware of these potential savings or those who simply missed the initial enrollment period.
While health plans and prices change yearly, all plans offered through Pennie provide comprehensive coverage, including free preventive screenings and vaccines, as well as care for pre-existing conditions.
Pennie’s pricing model is based on income, ensuring that those earning less pay less. In some cases, this can lead to monthly payments under $1. Those with higher incomes will pay a larger share of their health insurance premiums, but no one will pay more than 8.5% of their household income.
The extension also offers a lifeline for individuals found ineligible for Medicaid in 2023 who missed their special enrollment window. For these individuals, Pennie’s health coverage picks up where Pennsylvania’s Medicaid leaves off, potentially offering significant savings on private health plans.
Shopping through Pennie ensures consumers receive a plan that covers essential medical care and offers financial protection against high medical costs. Unlike some health plans outside of Pennie, those purchased through the marketplace come with certain consumer protections.
Pennie also provides free assistance to navigate the application process and plan selection in many languages. Pennie-certified experts, including enrollment assisters, health insurance brokers, and customer service representatives, are available over the phone, in person, or online.
This extension of the enrollment period is a reminder of the importance of health coverage and the role agencies like Pennie play in making healthcare accessible and affordable for all Pennsylvanians. With this extended deadline, more residents have the opportunity to secure the coverage they need for 2024, contributing to healthier communities across the state.
For information on options through Pennie for those no longer eligible for Medicaid, visit pennie.com/learn/loss-of-medical-assistance-coverage/.
Pennie urges coverage seekers to enroll at pennie.com before the Jan. 19 deadline extension for low-cost, high-quality plans in their area. Pennsylvanians can shop for health coverage at pennie.com or call 1-844-844-8040. Pennie Customer Service is open Mon-Fri (8 AM-7 PM) and Sat (8 AM-1 PM) during Open Enrollment.
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