Open Enrollment is here. Are you ready?
Open enrollment begins today for Pennie.com, Pennsylvania’s health insurance marketplace.
Pennie provides health insurance to people who don’t obtain it through their employer or a government program like Medicare or Medicaid. It is Pennsylvania’ counterpart to Healthcare.gov, the national marketplace set up under the Affordable Care Act.
Pennie plans are subsidized, so the vast majority of customers, roughly 90%, receive discounts based on household income.
The deadline to obtain coverage that begins Jan. 1 is Dec. 15. After that, open enrollment continues through Jan. 15 for coverage beginning Feb. 1.
Besides new signups, open enrollment gives individuals already covered through plans on Pennie the opportunity to review their insurance and make changes if they wish.
“This Open Enrollment period is the best time to explore available options and shop around to find the best plan for you, even if you already have insurance,” Insurance Commissioner Michael Humphreys said in a statement.
It's time to evaluate your healthcare needs for the upcoming year. For many, this means weighing options for health insurance, but there's an often-overlooked healthcare solution that could complement or even replace your traditional insurance plan—Direct Primary Care (DPC).
How DPC Complements Health Insurance
DPC isn’t health insurance, but it can complement a high-deductible health plan (HDHP) or even a catastrophic insurance plan. If you're relatively healthy and don’t expect to need extensive specialist care or hospital visits, pairing DPC with a lower-cost insurance plan could save you thousands in premiums while giving you direct access to personalized, comprehensive primary care.
During open enrollment, many people default to simply renewing their current health insurance plans. However, this is the perfect opportunity to reassess your health needs and make sure you’re not overpaying for coverage you don’t use.
Choosing Direct Primary Care Alongside Your Insurance
When it comes time to make your decisions during open enrollment, consider exploring health insurance plans that will work well with Direct Primary Care, such as:
- High-deductible health plans (HDHPs): These lower-premium plans are often paired with health savings accounts (HSAs). The idea is that your Direct Primary Care membership covers routine care, while the insurance plan is there for emergencies.
- Catastrophic health insurance: For those who are relatively healthy and just want insurance for worst-case scenarios, catastrophic plans offer low premiums and high deductibles, making them a good match for Direct Primary Care.
For more information about open enrollment or to enroll, visit Pennie.com. Customers can also call (844) 844-8040.
To learn more about Keystone Direct Health, visit keystonedirecthealth.com or call us at (484) 273-0908.
