Keystone Today

On Nov. 1, Gov. Tom Wolf (D-PA) announced that open enrollment has begun for the 2022 health care coverage through Pennsylvania's state health insurance marketplace, which is called Pennie.

The legislation was signed by Wolf in July 2019, which established the state-based marketplace that replaces Healthcare.gov, the website of the federal Affordable Care Act.

“Pennie is the one-stop shop for Pennsylvanians’ health care needs,” Wolf said, according to Official Pennsylvania Government Website. “With Pennie, Pennsylvanians have access to a variety of resources to help them understand how to apply, shop and enroll in health coverage, including access to people who can help them right in their community. Pennie also provides financial assistance for those who qualify, which means health care coverage is more affordable for Pennsylvanians. Now, more Pennsylvanians can access the care they deserve, ultimately giving more people the opportunity to live healthier lives.”

Gov. Tom Wolf | stock photo

More than 3.3 million Pennsylvanians are covered by Medical Assistance and another approximately 1 million may get coverage through the expansion.

“Now is the time to sign up for low-cost, quality coverage through Pennie. As a result of the American Rescue Plan premium savings, coverage has never been more in reach for so many Pennsylvanians,” Pennie Executive Director Zachary Sherman said, according to Pennsylvania's website. “Nine out of ten Pennie customers qualify for savings, which have increased in value for low-income individuals, working families and near-retirees. Open enrollment is the opportunity for Pennsylvanians to protect their health and their budgets by getting the coverage they need to ensure access to care. We encourage the uninsured and anyone exploring their coverage options to visit Pennie.com to enroll by Dec. 15 for coverage that starts New Year’s Day.”

Wolf also grew Medicaid in 2015 by allowing more residents to be covered by Medical Assistance in Pennsylvania.

“We’re all better off when affordable health care is accessible to all,” Wolf said, according to Pennsylvania's website. “There’s more we need to do to ensure health equity in the commonwealth, and my administration will continue to fight for true equity, but expanding access to health care through Medicaid and ensuring affordable coverage is available through Pennie are both important steps. I encourage all Pennsylvanians who need health insurance coverage to go to www.Pennie.com to explore your options. Open enrollment begins today, and the Pennie team is standing by to serve you.”

Pennie currently has 344,000 customers using its marketplace.