Uninsured Pennsylvanians will have another crack at getting coverage. The state is reopening its online marketplace for government-subsidized health insurance during a special enrollment period.
The new online health insurance marketplace, known as Pennie, will be open for enrollment through May 15. That matches the federal government’s extended enrollment window. Those who are interested and eligible, which includes people already enrolled in an Affordable Care Act plan, can begin signing up Feb. 15.
Pennie gives the option of shopping online for coverage that could qualify for cost reductions based on an applicant’s income. Policies must meet minimum standards for coverage.
About 330,000 Pennsylvanians currently have health care coverage through the Pennie exchange.
This special enrollment period comes on the heels of the usual sign-up period, which ended Jan. 15.
With an eye on COVID-19, President Joe Biden on Jan. 28 asked that the online marketplaces operated by the federal government be reopened. Pennsylvania is among 15 states that operate their own ACA health insurance exchanges. But state health insurance officials saw the wisdom of heeding the president’s request.
Citizens should avail themselves of this new window of opportunity. If ever there was a time to be insured, it’s during a pandemic.
— Pittsburgh Post-Gazette/TNS
