Do you know Pennie®?
Frequently asked questions about Pennie
Q: What is Pennie?
A: Pennie is the state-based marketplace that’s exclusively for Pennsylvania residents. You can shop for health insurance plans through Pennie or the UPMC Health Plan Marketplace.
Q: Who can purchase health insurance through Pennie?
A: Pennsylvania residents who are U.S. citizens or U.S. nationals, or those who have a qualified immigration status can get health care coverage through Pennie. Here are some examples that may apply to you:
- You are unemployed and without health insurance coverage.
- You are currently insured but would like to shop for 2023 plans.
- You recently lost other insurance options.
- Your employer does not provide health coverage.
Q: When can I shop on Pennie?
Enrollment Dates:
- Nov. 1, 2023 – Jan. 15, 2024: Enrollment period
- Dec. 15, 2023: Last day to enroll for coverage that starts Jan. 1, 2024
- Jan. 15, 2024: Last day to enroll for coverage that starts Feb. 1, 2024
A: Most people will shop on Pennie during Open Enrollment. However, big changes in your life may qualify you for a special enrollment period. This would allow you to buy coverage outside of Open Enrollment. These changes are called qualifying life events. If you have a qualifying life event, you have 60 calendar days leading up to or after the event to enroll in a health insurance plan. You may need to provide documents that prove your eligibility.
Q: Will financial assistance be available through Pennie?*
A: Yes! You can start shopping on the UPMC Health Plan Marketplace to see if you qualify for help. If you do, you’ll be directed to Pennie and connected with financial assistance options, such as advance premium tax credits or cost-sharing reductions.
Please note that you must purchase your plan through Pennie to receive financial assistance.
Q: Can I buy health insurance online?
A: Yes, and you have options when it comes to buying health care coverage. If you are new to the marketplace, you can visit Pennie to create an account and shop through Pennie.
You can also use UPMC Health Plan’s online shopping tool to buy a high-quality plan. If you qualify for financial assistance, you’ll be redirected to Pennie to shop.
If you are already a member, you should have received an access code from Pennie. If you did not receive this code, please contact Pennie Customer Service at 1-844-844-8040 (TTY: 711). If you have a registered broker, reach out to them for the information.
Q: Why did Pennsylvania transition from Healthcare.gov to Pennie?
A: The state’s goal in developing Pennie was to make health care coverage more accessible and affordable for Pennsylvanians. Having Pennie also allows the state to monitor, manage, and adjust the marketplace as needed, providing flexibility in terms of meeting Pennsylvanians’ needs.
Q: I have more questions. Where can I go for answers?
A: Just reach out to us. We’re here and happy to help you!
Call, click, or visit today.
UPMC Health Plan Marketplace: 1-833-799-2898 (TTY: 711)
Visit one of our UPMC Health Plan Connect Centers:
Call 1-855-306-8834 (TTY: 711) to find the location nearest you.
It’s time to take care of your health
We fully support the move to Pennie and are excited about its ability to provide access to UPMC Health Plan’s high-quality health care coverage. No matter where you shop, you’ll see that our plans are affordable and packed with great benefits for you and your family.
Source
Pennsylvania Insurance Exchange website. Accessed Sept. 11, 2020. Pennie.com
*Eligibility for financial assistance is based on annual adjusted gross income. Annual income amounts are determined by the federal government. To determine your eligibility for financial assistance, you must confirm your eligibility on the Pennie website.