Pennie Open Enrollment Starts November 1

Pennie (Pennsylvania Insurance Exchange) is Pennsylvania’s new official marketplace to purchase health insurance coverage. Pennie’s official website allows for Pennsylvanians who don’t have other coverage (employment-related insurance, Medicaid, Medicare, Veteran’s health insurance) to shop, compare, and enroll in health insurance coverage.

Pennie has replaced Healthcare.gov health insurance plans in Pennsylvania. If you previously received your health insurance plan through Healthcare.gov, you should receive a PIN number in the mail that will give you access to your new Pennie account and all your information from the previous years.

Pennie’s open enrollment runs from November 1, 2021 through January 15, 2022. Consumers enrolling prior to December 31, 2021, will have their coverage start on January 1, 2022. Consumers enrolling between January 1st -15th will have their coverage start on February 1, 2022. Consumers who miss the open enrollment deadline of January 15, 2021, will have to wait till the next open enrollment period to enroll for health insurance coverage, unless they qualify for a special enrollment period.

Pennie offers financial assistance to qualifying consumers with their monthly premium payments (Advanced Premium Tax Credits) and with the cost of medications (Cost-Sharing Reduction). This year, consumers will also benefit from the additional savings offered by the American Rescue Plan.

When consumers apply for health insurance coverage through Pennie, they will also be assessed for Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP). If eligible for these programs, Pennie will forward the applicants’ information to these programs.

Many individuals and families who are not eligible for Medicaid and CHIP may apply for coverage through Pennie. It is estimated that 9 out of 10 Pennsylvanians qualify for some type of financial assistance, with a Pennie coverage plan.

Consumers needing additional information on Pennie coverage may call Pennie at 844-844-8040.

Consumers who need help with assessing their eligibility for Medicaid or CHIP may call PHLP’s Helpline at 800-274-3258.