PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — More Pennsylvanians now qualify for health insurance savings through Pennsylvania's state-affiliated marketplace, and they can now apply for those savings online.
The American Rescue Plan expanded eligibility and savings through Pennsylvania's health care marketplace, called Pennie.
Pennsylvania Insurance Commissioner Jessica Altman said the changes are significant.
"Including huge, potentially life-altering savings for Pennsylvanians seeking individual market coverage and those already enrolled through Pennie, as well as those who may lose their employment and rely on COBRA to maintain their employer coverage," Altman described.
She said premium payments are lowered, and income eligibility has been raised to 150% and 400% of the federal poverty level.
"That's about $40,000 to $105,000 for a family of four in income who now qualify for additional financial assistance," Altman explained.
She said the average Pennie customer will see monthly savings of $87 for an individual and $118 per household. She revealed that many customers could see no monthly premium or no deductible.
Many of the enhancements were announced last month, but are now available through the online application.
Pennie officials say anyone who did not apply for savings because their income was too high under the old limits will have to re-apply for savings under the current earnings guidelines.
Other customers can resubmit an application, but Pennie officials say they'll review all current customers in coming weeks and apply savings retroactively.
