Extended Pennie Open Enrollment Means Security of Insurance for More Pennsylvanians

Pennsylvanians seeking health insurance coverage have the opportunity to enroll in 2021 coverage during Pennie’s COVID-19 Enrollment Period. Pennie, Pennsylvania’s state-based health insurance marketplace serving individuals across the Commonwealth, has given eligible individuals additional time to enroll in health insurance to protect them and their families from the cost of the COVID-19 virus. Anyone otherwise eligible to enroll in coverage through Pennie can do so from now until May 15. Go to pennie.com to explore options. Questions? Contact Tia Whitaker, PACHC’s Statewide Director for Outreach and Enrollment.

Public Charge and the ACA

Q: Will signing up for ACA marketplace health insurance with a premium tax credit and/or cost sharing reduction be negatively factored into a public charge assessment?

A: No, signing up for ACA marketplace health insurance with a premium tax credit and/or cost sharing reduction will not be negatively factored into a public charge assessment. And having health insurance is viewed favorably in a public charge assessment. For more Frequently Asked Questions about Health Insurance and Public Charge, go to www.HealthReformBeyondTheBasics.org

Outreach and Enrollment Monthly Assister Call

PACHC’s Outreach and Enrollment Peer Networking Group meets monthly on the last Wednesday of each month and is open to health insurance assisters, navigators, benefits and eligibility counselors and those interested in learning more about the Health Insurance Marketplace, Medicaid, CHIP and Medicare health coverages. The next meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, Feb. 24 from 10:00 – 11:00 am. Click here to join. Questions? Contact Tia Whitaker, Statewide Director for Outreach and Enrollment.

Expanded Outreach for Marketplace Coverage

With the new Special Enrollment Period opening for Healthcare.gov and some state-based marketplaces for millions of uninsured consumers, additional funding for assister programs has been at the forefront of discussions. The Biden Administration has allocated $50 million dollars for a federal marketing and outreach campaign but no announcement has been made about pouring funds into in-person assister programs. Pennie introduced a parallel open enrollment period from Feb. 15 through May 15 without additional funding for in-person assistance programs. Read more.