FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 22, 2025
Pennie Sees Record-Breaking 2025 Enrollments at Nearly Half a Million; But Without Federal Action, Some Enrollees Will Face Higher Costs Next Year
More people than ever enrolled in health coverage through Pennie, however if critical affordability policies are not extended, premiums will sharply increase for many Pennie enrollees in 2026.
Harrisburg, PA – Pennie, PA’s official health insurance marketplace, concluded its 2025 Open Enrollment Period with a record-breaking enrollment of 496,661. This marks the largest marketplace enrollment ever in Pennsylvania and reflects Pennie’s ongoing success in helping Pennsylvanians access affordable, high-quality health coverage. This means more Pennsylvanians can see their doctor, fill their prescriptions, and be protected against the extraordinary costs of a medical emergency.
However, this progress is at risk. Without federal action to extend enhanced premium tax credits, which are set to expire at the end of 2025, 90 percent of Pennie enrollees could face substantial increases in their monthly premiums starting in 2026. Enrollees receiving tax credits will see a premium increase of 81 percent on average, with some paying double or four times as much as they pay today.
“This year’s record-breaking enrollment shows that the secret is out – more Pennsylvanians than ever trust Pennie to deliver the lowest costs on high-quality health coverage,” said Pennie’s Executive Director Devon Trolley. “The lower costs from the enhanced premium tax credits have been a game changer, allowing many Pennsylvanians to afford coverage for the first time. Without action to extend these tax credits, hard-working Pennsylvanians will be blindsided with higher healthcare costs.”
The Role of Enhanced Premium Tax Credits
The health insurance marketplace has been the source of premium tax credits to lower the cost of health coverage since 2014. However, since 2021, enhanced premium tax credits have further reduced premiums – cutting costs nearly in half for Pennie enrollees. These additional savings total around $600 million annually, which goes directly to help Pennsylvanians afford their health coverage through Pennie. These savings have been instrumental in:
- Reducing monthly premium costs.
- Improving access to preventative care and chronic condition management.
- Providing financial security and peace of mind for families across PA.
The enhanced premium tax credits transformed accessibility to health coverage, particularly for low- and middle-income individuals, older Pennsylvanians, small business owners, and residents of rural communities. Without these enhanced tax credits, Pennie enrollees will face significant financial strain, potentially forcing many to downgrade their coverage or forgo health insurance entirely.
“Americans need Congress to extend the tax credits that have made quality health insurance coverage more affordable for millions across the country. We’ve made significant gains in coverage because insurance is more accessible than ever,” said Pennsylvania Insurance Commissioner Michael Humphreys. “Record marketplace enrollment means more Pennsylvanians today can seek no-cost preventive services, like important health screenings that save lives every day. Losing tax credits may mean 150,000 Pennsylvanians losing coverage and losing access to critical services because they need to instead prioritize growing home and grocery costs. Congress has the power to ensure continued insurance affordability and needs to act.”
Why This Matters
The success and enrollment growth of 47 percent by Pennie in recent years highlights how effective these premium tax credits have been in improving healthcare affordability and reducing financial barriers to coverage. Without an extension, these gains risk being reversed, negatively impacting families, communities, and Pennsylvania’s healthcare system as a whole.
“Affordable health coverage isn’t just about monthly costs; it’s about access to preventive care, early detection and managing chronic conditions, and financial protection from unexpected medical emergencies, added Trolley. “Pennie is committed to continuing to educate the public on the importance of these enhanced tax credits and the impacts on hundreds of thousands of Pennsylvanians if they expire.”
To learn more and see regional impacts, visit pennie.com/affordability and view a letter Pennie sent last September to Pennsylvania’s representatives in Congress.
About Pennie
Pennie is PA’s official health insurance marketplace. All health plans offered through Pennie cover essential services like hospital care, mental health support, prescriptions, maternity care, and more. Pennsylvanians looking for health coverage through Pennie can visit pennie.com or call Pennie’s customer service at 844-844-8040.
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MEDIA CONTACT:
Kelsey Cameron, kecameron@pa.gov
Adrian Sipes, ra-in-press@pa.gov