Open enrollment for Affordable Care Act health plans closes Saturday

Dec. 11--Pennsylvanians are being reminded that open enrollment for 2019 individual insurance plans through the Affordable Care Act ends on Saturday.

State Insurance Commissioner Jessica Altman said in a statement that Americans will have to wait until next November if they miss the deadline unless they qualify for special enrollment by experiencing certain "life events" under the ACA, such as losing their health coverage, moving, getting married, having a baby or adopting a child.

"Forgoing health insurance is a significant risk, even for healthy individuals," she said. "We are all just one diagnosis or accident away from needing costly medical care."

President Donald Trump's administration has opposed the ACA, but failed to have it repealed. It has, though, reduced the enrollment period to just six weeks, slashed funding for public awareness campaigns and, citing maintenance issues, periodically shut down the Healthcare.gov website, where consumers enroll.

Those seeking to enroll in a plan can also call 1-800-318-2596.

More information on plans available in Pennsylvania is available at insurance.pa.gov and the Consumer's Checkbook offers details on plan options, estimated monthly payments, annual out-of-pocket costs and instructions on how to buy a plan at https://pa.checkbookhealth.org.

There are also short videos produced by the Insurance Department and other stakeholders to teach "health insurance literacy" with consumers. They are available at insurance.pa.gov/literacy.

Altman said "many Pennsylvanians" qualify for subsidies to help meet their monthly premium, and there is assistance available to sign up for coverage.

And, she warned that there are groups claiming to offer plans under ACA, but which are not. Consumers should make sure they are on Healthcare.gov when shopping for plans. Off-exchange plans available from companies should be purchased from websites belonging to UPMC Health Plan, Highmark, Capital Blue Cross, Geisinger, Independence Blue Cross, and Ambetter/PA Health and Wellness.

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