Enrollment Now Open for 2025 Pennie Health Insurance in Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania has initiated the enrollment period for its state-based insurance program, Pennie, previously known as the federal marketplace insurance, for 2025 coverage. Pam Laye, supervisor of Outreach and Enrollment at Keystone Health, has provided critical information on what potential enrollees need to know.

Key Points from Pam Laye's Overview:

* Importance of Health Insurance: Health insurance mitigates the financial burden of medical expenses, which can be substantial. For instance, an average three-day hospital stay could cost $30,000 without insurance. Additionally, insured individuals pay less for in-network healthcare services even before meeting their deductibles.

* Enrollment Period: The open enrollment commenced on November 1 and will continue until January 15. Coverage begins on February 1, 2025. Those who register by December 15 will have their coverage starting January 1.

* Eligibility: Legal residents of Pennsylvania are eligible to apply for Pennie insurance.

* Insurance Plans and Providers: Three main providers—Capital Blue Cross, Highmark, and Geisinger—are offering plans in Franklin County. These range from Preferred Provider Organization (PPO) plans to Exclusive Provider Organization (EPO) and Health Maintenance Organization (HMO) plans, with varying costs and network restrictions.

* Dental and Vision Insurance: Some plans include vision and dental coverage, with standalone dental plans also available.

* Auto-Enrollment: Those enrolled in a Pennie plan in the previous year will be auto-enrolled for 2025 unless they opt for a change.

* No Penalty for Uninsurance: While there is no penalty for being uninsured, the potential debt from unexpected medical costs can be significant.

* How to Enroll: Enrollment can be done online at www.pennie.com, by phone, or through in-person assistance from certified application counselors at Keystone Health or other certified agents, with potential fees for broker-assisted enrollments.

For more detailed information, including FAQs about Pennie insurance, visit Keystone Health's blog post linked here or contact Keystone Health directly at (717) 709-7969 for personalized assistance.

Photo credits to Keystone Health