Time Is Running Out To Apply For Health Insurance Through PA Marketplace. What To Know

If you don't already have health insurance—4.8% of all Pennsylvania adults don't in 2022—time is running out to purchase a plan through the state's marketplace before the end of the annual enrollment period.

For those without a plan, Gov. Josh Shapiro's administration is seeking to extend the enrollment period by one year for people who can enroll through Pennie, Pennsylvania's official health insurance company.

Those who miss the deadline must wait until next November to sign up, unless a qualifying life event occurs, such as losing other health insurance or moving.

Here's everything you need to know about this extension and how to get health insurance from Pennie.

Shapiro Administration Extends Penny Vicon by One Week; act quickly to protect health

Monday, January 15th was the original deadline to apply for health insurance through Pennie. On Tuesday, the Shapiro administration announced that the application deadline had been moved to Friday, Jan. 19.

“If you wait until you need medical attention, it will be too late,” Pennie CEO Devon Tralee said in a statement. “Buying insurance now is the best way to protect your health and savings in 2024.”

Nurses at Lower Bucks Hospital are returning to work.

How much is a penny worth?

The monthly cost of Pennie health insurance depends on your income. People who earn less will pay less, and in some cases nothing at all.

Those with higher incomes will pay a larger share of health insurance premiums, but Pennsylvania said no one will pay more than 8.5% of their household income.

As a general example, a 50-year-old man living in Bensalem and making $45,000 a year could get Everyday Bronze health insurance for about $100.93 a month, according to Pennie Marketplace's calculator.

At the high end of the scale, the person in the above scenario would pay $772.12 per month if they chose the Personal Choice PPO Gold Preferred plan.

With an online calculator, Pennie also shows how much health care shoppers will save between plans and clearly explains copays, deductibles and other out-of-pocket costs.

The mask is back. Penn Health says patients, staff and visitors should wear masks during flu and COVID outbreaks.

What if I don't have health insurance?

In short, if you don't have health insurance, you will pay all the costs, including hospital visits and medications.

Low-income people can obtain coverage by visiting COMPASS, an online tool that allows Pennsylvanians to apply for health and human services programs and manage benefit information.

Bucks County residents can also visit the Bucks County Center to learn more about free and low-cost health insurance.

This article originally appeared in the Bucks County Courier Times; The penny health insurance market is approaching its deadline.

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