Too many people are going bare these days.
Got your attention? I’m not talking about “clothing optional” beaches or skipping make-up or even toddlers escaping from their clothing when mom’s not looking. I’m referring to the worrisome position too many of our neighbors have been forced into by unemployment, financial stress or pandemic issues…having no health insurance.
Thankfully there are some options in Pennsylvania that have been refreshed. The new state-based marketplace for health insurance in Pennsylvania opened in 2020.
Called Pennie, which stands for Pennsylvania Insurance Exchange, the marketplace became active on Nov. 1, 2020, when Pennsylvanians began selecting coverage for 2021. An executive order signed by President Biden in January opened a Special Enrollment Period that began Feb. 15 and lasts through May 15 for anyone who has recently lost health coverage or been affected by COVID-19.
So, Pennsylvanians who need health insurance currently have a second chance to enroll through Pennie. Typically, only people who experience a “qualifying life event” like loss of employment would be eligible to enroll in a plan through Pennie throughout the year, so this Special Enrollment Period is unique.
And for those worried about the cost of coverage, financial assistance is available. Many uninsured adults were aware of publicly subsidized coverage options during regular enrollment but assumed they wouldn’t qualify.
On the contrary, nearly 9 out of 10 Pennie customers received financial assistance, and savings have increased this year. On March 11, President Biden signed into law the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021, which includes key provisions that strengthen public and private health insurance coverage.
Some of the new provisions build upon actions Congress previously took in early COVID-relief packages like the Families First Coronavirus Response Act.
Among new provisions for Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP), the American Rescue Plan encourages states to embrace Medicaid expansion by offering financial incentives that are even more favorable than those already in place and allows states to provide longer postpartum health coverage for new mothers.
Among new private insurance provisions, the plan provides full premium subsidies for COBRA coverage, which gives workers and their families who lose their health benefits the right to continue their group benefits for a limited time under the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act.
The American Rescue Plan also substantially increases subsidies for the purchase of health plans through the Affordable Care Act’s (ACA) marketplaces and targets additional marketplace subsidies to those receiving unemployment benefits.
According to a recent study, despite a rise in job losses due to COVID-19, nearly half of uninsured Americans did not consider all their coverage options through programs like Medicaid, CHIP, and ACA marketplaces. Those with qualifying incomes can enroll in Medicaid at any time, and all children qualify for CHIP and can be enrolled at any time.
Those who want to maintain the coverage provided by their employers can do so through COBRA, but it is often the least affordable option.
Finally, for those who are 65 and older, it is worthwhile to explore Medicare Advantage plans, which usually include a wealth of benefits that can help with everything from prescription medications to cost savings on gym memberships.
It is worth noting that all commercial, comprehensive health insurance plans available in Pennsylvania through Pennie cover the COVID-19 test if patients are experiencing symptoms or have had an indication of exposure, treatment for the symptoms that develop due to COVID-19, and the cost of the COVID-19 vaccine.
To learn more about the coverage options available until May 15, you can visit the Pennie marketplace at Pennie.com, or you can inquire through Geisinger by calling 866-325-8108 or visiting go.geisinger.org/Marketplace.