Learn About Insurance

Health Insurance

No one plans to get sick or hurt, but most people will need medical care at some point. Health insurance covers essential health benefits, medical care for illness and accidents, and protects you from unexpected, high medical costs. Choosing health insurance is one of the most important decisions you can make to help protect your and your family's health and well-being. Not having insurance can result in large medical bills or avoiding necessary medical care.

How to Get Health Insurance

Pennsylvania offers several options to get you and your family covered. The right option for you will depend on your needs and current circumstances.

Pennie is Pennsylvania's insurance marketplace and provides individuals and families with the ability to shop for high-quality health plans and easily apply for financial assistance.

All PA residents who are citizens, U.S. nationals, or have a qualified immigration status can apply and enroll in health coverage through Pennie during an eligible enrollment period.

Enrollment Periods

Yearly Open Enrollment Period - Open enrollment for individual health coverage runs from November 1 through January 15.
Special Enrollment Periods - If you experience certain life changes, you can sign up for health coverage. These are called Special Enrollment Periods. These changes include losing your employer health insurance, a change in marital status, the birth of a baby, or if you have moved to a different area.

Visit Pennie.com

Medicare is federal health insurance for people 65 or older and is administered by the federal Department of Health and Human Services and provides coverage either directly or through private health insurance companies, at four different levels:

Medicare Part A (Hospital coverage)
Medicare Part B (Medical coverage)
Medicare Part C, or Medicare Advantage (Parts A and B together)
Medicare Part D (Prescription Drug coverage)

When to Enroll

Medicare Initial Enrollment Period - Begins three months before a person turns 65 and ends three months after. This is when you first become eligible and will likely give you the best rates. *Note: Enrolling in Medicare after your initial eligibility may result in a higher cost for late enrollment.
General Enrollment Period - January 1-March 31. You can sign-up for Medicare each year during this time if to sign up if you didn't sign up during your initial enrollment period but you may be subject to penalties.
Special Enrollment Period - There are also select situations that may qualify to enroll outside of the normally designated times.
Medicare Open Enrollment - October 15-December 7. Allows current Medicare enrollees to make changes to their plan.

Visit Medicare.gov

Medicare Supplement Insurance is private insurance that fills in the gaps left by Medicare.

For instance, when you have a hospital or doctor bill, Medicare pays its approved amount first, then the supplemental insurance pays other costs, such as deductibles and copays.

Visit Our Medicare Suppement page

Depending on your income, you and your family may qualify for free or low-cost health insurance. through Medicaid or the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP).

Enrollment in these programs is open year-round. Medical Assistance provides comprehensive coverage and is there for people who fall on hard times and need help.

The Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) provides coverage for your child(ren).

Visit the CHIP Page

Medical Assistance (Medicaid) provides coverage for all other individuals.

Visit Pennsylvania's Medicaid Page

If you've been laid off, COBRA & Mini-COBRA allows you to continue the coverage provided by your former employer.

If you choose COBRA or Mini-COBRA you will be taking on the full cost of the premium meaning you will not only pay what you had contributed before but you will also be paying the portion of the premium your former employer paid on your behalf.

Please note! Just because you may be entitled to elect COBRA or Mini-COBRA coverage, does not mean you must elect it. COBRA & Mini-COBRA is often expensive. It is recommended that you explore your other options before deciding, like marketplace coverage through Pennie.com.

Visit our COBRA & Mini-COBRA page

Short-Term Health Insurance Plans are also known as Short-Term, Limited-Duration Insurance. If you are buying short-term health insurance, you need to pay very close attention to what is covered because these plans do not have to meet the same minimum requirements as other plans included under the Affordable Care Act.

View Short-Term Health Plan Info