Pennie, the New State-Based Exchange for 2021 Open Enrollment

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If you’ve purchased your own individual or family health insurance plan in the past, you may have enrolled through HealthCare.gov. HealthCare.gov is operated by the federal government. If you’re shopping for a high-quality, affordable health plan during 2021 Open Enrollment, things will look a little different for Pennsylvania residents.

Starting November 1, 2020, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania will operate a state-based Health Insurance Marketplace called Pennie. Healthcare.gov will no longer be used by Pennsylvania residents to apply for health care coverage.

Who Should Apply Using Pennie?

If you are eligible for financial assistance (sometimes called a tax credit or subsidy), you will need to enroll on Pennie.com. Financial assistance may help cover the cost of what you pay each month (your premium) and what you pay when you get care (member cost-share). See if you may be eligible for financial assistance.

If you are not eligible for financial assistance, you should apply directly with Independence Blue Cross. It will make it easier for you to make updates to your policy, if needed, in the future. You can also contact us directly with any questions.

Did You Enroll on HealthCare.gov Last Year?

Pennie is working with HealthCare.gov to automatically renew as many individual and family Independence Blue Cross health plan members as possible into their 2021 plan year coverage. Most members who previously enrolled using HealthCare.gov will not need to take action to renew their individual or family health plan and will be renewed automatically.

If you purchased coverage in 2020 on HealthCare.gov, look for a notice from Pennie about whether your health coverage will be renewed automatically or if you need to choose a new health plan at pennie.com during 2021 Open Enrollment. You will also receive letters from Pennie explaining how to find your 2021 Open Enrollment application information and your updated eligibility for financial assistance.

If you need to make changes to your current 2020 health plan, be sure to contact HealthCare.gov. Keep in mind that any changes you make with HealthCare.gov may not be reflected on your 2021 Pennie application, so you will need to make sure those changes are also made on pennie.com.