FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Pennie’s 2026 Open Enrollment Period is Underway: Protect Your Health by Enrolling in a High-Quality Health Plan through Pennie
PA Officials urge all Pennsylvanians without health coverage to visit pennie.com to get protected.
PENNSYLVANIA – November 13, 2025 – Open Enrollment is here, and now is the time for Pennsylvanians to make sure they are covered for 2026. Pennie, Pennsylvania’s official state-based health insurance marketplace, is open for enrollment at pennie.com, offering quality health plans for individuals and families who don’t have other coverage options. If you currently do not have health coverage, now is the time to act and visit pennie.com to explore your options to get enrolled.
Pennie is the only place for Pennsylvanians to receive financial savings in the form of tax credits to help lower the cost of coverage. All plans sold through Pennie provide access to a wide range of medical services, including hospitalization, prescription drugs, maternity care, mental health services, and much more. Health plans offered through Pennie must cover care for pre-existing conditions, provide important financial protections especially during medical emergencies, and offer free preventive services such as check-ups and screenings.
“Open Enrollment is the one time each year Pennsylvanians can shop and enroll in health coverage that fits their needs,” said Devon Trolley, Pennie Executive Director. “Due to federal changes, costs are increasing but many Pennsylvanians still qualify for financial savings and having coverage is critical to your health and financial wellbeing. If you wait until you need medical care, it will be too late to get coverage.”
Key Dates and Actions to Remember
- Enroll by December 15, 2025, to ensure new coverage that will start on January 1, 2026.
- Plans and prices change every year, and this year is no exception. Current and interested individuals should review options to see what works for you.
- Current enrollees must update their Pennie account (income, household size, and contact information). Due to recent federal policy changes, penalties for inaccurate income reporting have increased, making it more important than ever for enrollees to keep their Pennie account up to date.
- Uninsured Pennsylvanians can get an estimate of savings and plan costs by answering five questions.
Lower Federal Financial Savings in 2026
Since 2021, Pennie enrollees have benefited from enhanced premium tax credits provided by the federal government to make health insurance more affordable. These enhanced savings are set to expire on December 31, 2025, unless Congress acts to extend them. That means enrollees will see higher monthly premiums in 2026. Those with incomes above approximately $62,600 for an individual or $84,600 for a couple will no longer qualify for tax credits and will need to pay full price for coverage.
However, the cost increases vary widely across the state. Many Pennsylvanians without other coverage will continue to qualify for some financial savings. The best way to know what your coverage options are for 2026 is to visit pennie.com to receive an estimate of your potential savings. If you are uninsured, the Pennie Savings Calculator can show you your plan costs and financial savings in under 5 minutes.
“Congress’s failure to act in regard to enhanced premium tax credits has created serious challenges for consumers this year during Open Enrollment,” said Pennsylvania Insurance Commissioner Michael Humphreys. “Nearly 500,000 Pennsylvanians are facing average premium increases of 102 percent in 2026, and this is being felt across the Commonwealth. We’re encouraging consumers to take the time to explore all health insurance plan options to find the right plan that fits their current financial and medical needs for 2026.”
“The staggering cost increases for Pennie plans this year are unacceptable — and completely avoidable. Congress still has time to act by extending the enhanced premium tax credits that have been a lifeline for Pennsylvania families. With prices up, it’s more important than ever to shop around and make sure you’re getting the best coverage for your family,” said Pennsylvania Health Access Network Executive Director Antoinette Kraus. “Many people will still find affordable options that meet their needs, especially with the help of a trained enrollment assister like the Pennsylvania Health Access Network.”
Visit Pennie.com for Quality Plans
When you go to pennie.com, you are using Pennsylvania’s official health insurance marketplace. All plans offered meet the federal requirements and offer full protections. Health plans outside of Pennie might say they are comprehensive, but many cut out important benefits such as coverage for pre-existing conditions and free preventive services.
Free Help Available Through Pennie
Pennie provides free help to navigate the application process and plan selection in many languages. Pennie-certified experts including enrollment assisters, health insurance brokers, and Customer Service Representatives are available over the phone, in person, or online. Visit pennie.com/connect to find local help at no cost.
Pennsylvanians looking for health coverage through Pennie can visit pennie.com or call Pennie Customer Service at 844-844-8040. Pennie’s Customer Service Center is open from 8 am – 7 pm Monday through Friday and on Saturday from 8 am – 1 pm during Open Enrollment.
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About Pennie
Pennie® is the official health insurance marketplace for the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, and the only source of financial help to lower the cost of high quality private health insurance plans. Pennsylvanians without access to other health coverage can find affordable health plans through Pennie that meet different needs and budgets. Eligibility for financial help is based on income, family size, and other factors. Pennie is operated by the Pennsylvania Health Insurance Exchange Authority, established under state law. For more information, visit pennie.com or follow us on social at fb.com/PenniePA and Twitter.com/PennieOfficial.
Contact Information:
Kelsey Cameron
Pennie Marketing Communications Manager