Pennsylvania health insurance questions, answered.

Pennie's open enrollment for 2027 runs from November 1, 2026 to January 15, 2027. To have coverage start January 1, pick a plan by December 15, 2026. Dates have shifted during federal court cases, so confirm them at pennie.com.

No. Pennsylvania runs its own marketplace called Pennie, at pennie.com. It is the only place to get federal tax credits on an individual plan in the state.

The enhanced federal tax credits ended after 2025 and insurers also raised base rates by about 21.5% on average. Pennie estimated that enrollees keeping the same plan saw what they paid rise 102% on average.

Yes. Starting in 2027, many lawfully present immigrants other than green card holders lose eligibility for tax credits, and the monthly low-income special enrollment period with financial help is gone. Log in, update your income and compare plans rather than letting your plan renew on its own.

Possibly. With the enhanced credits gone, help is limited to households up to 400% of the federal poverty level, and the amount depends on your income and local prices. Planning retirement withdrawals can affect whether you qualify.

If your countable income is up to 138% of the poverty level, yes, since Pennsylvania expanded Medicaid. Starting in 2027, most adults 19 to 64 in this group must meet a work or activity rule or have an exemption, and renew every six months.

KFF reports the 2026 average benchmark Silver premium for a 40-year-old in Pennsylvania was $572 a month before tax credits. Premiums for someone in their 60s are much higher, and prices vary by county.

The Pennsylvania Insurance Department has said it still enforces the federal limit of an initial term up to three months and a four-month total. That is shorter than in states that followed the federal decision to stop enforcing the limit.

Usually not. Short-term plans in Pennsylvania use medical underwriting and typically exclude pre-existing conditions. They also do not qualify for Pennie tax credits.

If you lost coverage, you have 60 days to enroll in a Pennie plan, and you may also have COBRA or mini-COBRA. If your income is low, check Medical Assistance.

Eight insurer groups: Ambetter, Capital Blue Cross, Geisinger, Highmark, Independence Blue Cross, Jefferson Health Plans, Oscar and UPMC. Not all of them sell in every county.

The Pennsylvania Insurance Department approved an average 15.97% increase for individual plans in 2027, down from 17.14% requested. Approved changes range from 1.4% for Oscar to 35.1% for Ambetter, before tax credits.

Aetna was not among the companies with approved 2026 individual-market rates in Pennsylvania. The 2026 list included Highmark, Independence, Capital Blue Cross, UPMC, Geisinger, Ambetter, Oscar and Jefferson Health Plans.