Gov. Wolf’s visit promotes affordable health care
According to Zach Sherman, the executive director of Pennie, Pennie is the only source for Pennsylvanians accessing financial assistance through the individual market — which is often the deciding factor between having or going without coverage.
On Feb. 15, Pennie began a special COVID-19 enrollment period, working closely with the Department of Human Services and other programs to help those in need receive coverage. More than 55,000 new customers have signed up so far.
“We operate a ‘no wrong door’ policy,” Mr. Sherman said.
“... What we mean is: No matter your circumstance, if you come to us, we’ll make sure you get to the right place for the right coverage.”
Pennie works with the Department of Labor and Industry to deliver financial assistance to those receiving unemployment as a part of the American Rescue Plan. This automatically delivers
the benefit to existing customers with low or no monthly payments.
Of the nearly 340,000 Pennsylvanians signed up through Pennie, 90% are receiving financial assistance.
One of those residents is Joy Militello, of Oakmont, who moved to Pittsburgh from Raleigh, N.C., at the end of 2020. She found herself unemployed and without
health insurance during the pandemic.
“Somebody suggested that I call Pennie, and I have to say Pennie rescued me. They gave me a lifeboat, and they helped me navigate the health care providers in Pittsburgh — which I had no idea about because I was brand new here — and they guided me toward the policy that would suit me and my budget,” Ms. Militello said.
With an emergency appendectomy in May, Ms. Militello was able to pay medical bills, with the services Pennie provided.
Aug. 15 marks the final day to apply for health coverage during the COVID-19 enrollment period. The next available time to enroll will be Pennie’s open enrollment period starting Nov. 1 for 2022, though other medical assistance programs and the Children’s Health Insurance Program enroll all year.
“I urge Pennsylvanians to think about their health care and insurance needs and consider shopping around on Pennie with the ‘No Wrong Door’ policy to ensure that they have coverage that meets their needs and their situation,” Pennsylvania’s insurance commissioner Jessica Altman, said.
“I want to stress that the insurance department is always here to help if any consumer has questions or concerns about their insurance. Not just health insurance, any insurance.”