Pennie’s Final Enrollment Deadline Is Approaching: January 31st Marks the Last Chance to Sign Up for 2026 Health Coverage

PA Officials urge all Pennsylvanians without health coverage to visit pennie.com to
get protected during the Open Enrollment Period.

LANCASTER, PENNSYLVANIA – Time is running out to enroll in health coverage
through Pennie for 2026. The Open Enrollment Period will close on January 31st,
marking the final opportunity for Pennsylvanians to sign up for health insurance for
the year ahead. Due to federal changes causing higher health plan costs, Penniea
extended the Open Enrollment deadline to January 31st ensuring Pennsylvanians
have additional time to review their options and secure coverage.

Pennie, the Commonwealth’s official health insurance marketplace, is currently
open at pennie.com and offers high-quality coverage options for individuals and
families who do not have access to other health insurance. If you or someone you
know does not currently have health coverage, this is the final time to act and visit
pennie.com to explore your options to get enrolled.

“Open Enrollment is the one opportunity each year for Pennsylvanians to compare
and enroll in health coverage that meets their needs,” said Devon Trolley, Pennie
Executive Director. “Due to federal changes, costs are increasing but many
Pennsylvanians still qualify for financial savings, and this is the final time to act.
Enrolling by the deadline helps protect both your health in 2026 and your financial
security in the event of an unexpected medical situation.”

This is an important reminder: After the Open Enrollment Period ends on January
31st, Pennsylvanians will not be able to change or enroll in a plan through Pennie for
2026 unless they qualify for a Special Enrollment Period.

While plans and prices change every year, recent federal changes have greatly
affected costs for 2026. While premium changes differ across the state, many
Pennsylvanians will continue to qualify for financial savings. The best way to
understand your 2026 coverage options is to visit pennie.com and receive a
personalized estimate of potential savings. You can use the Pennie Savings
Calculator to view plan costs and financial savings in less than five minutes.
“The Pennsylvania Insurance Department encourages all consumers in need of
quality health insurance coverage to act fast and sign up for affordable coverage
through Pennie before the end of Open Enrollment,” said Pennsylvania Insurance
Commissioner Michael Humphreys. “As a reminder, insurance scams and other
deceptive practices are common during Open Enrollment, but pennie.com is a
source you can trust. Consumers who believe they’ve been targeted by a health
insurance scam or who have questions about insurance should contact PID at
pa.gov/consumer or by calling 1-866-PA-COMPLAINT.”

Insurance fraud can take many forms, including staged accidents, inflated claims,
fake policies, and deceptive agents. Fake health insurance websites may pretend to
be the official insurance marketplace so that bad actors can steal consumers’
personal and payment information.

Pennsylvanians can avoid fraudulent insurance sales scams by:
• Being cautious of unexpected calls: If you didn’t call them first, the
salesperson probably found your information on a mailing list;
• Not buying insurance over the phone from cold callers: The risk of fraud is
greater if you buy insurance over the phone or online when you haven’t
initiated such a purchase. Hang up on callers if something doesn’t sound or
feel right;

• Watching for scam artists: Be wary of people who say they are from
Medicare, Social Security or any government agency, including PID. Medicare
and PID do not make sales calls;

• Keeping all documents and take notes: Request that policy and coverage
information be emailed to you from the salesperson and review it prior to
agreeing or giving any of your banking details. Keep any paperwork you get
from an insurance company. Write down the names of people you talk to and
details of conversations you have;

• Checking licenses: Ensure that the companies and individuals you are
dealing with to purchase insurance are licensed by PID. You can confirm
licensed companies and individuals online; and

• Never being rushed: Be wary of offers for a “last-chance deal.” If someone
calls, emails, or mails you such an offer, decline it. Next, look it up online to see
if it’s true and the company is real.

Pennie is the only place where Pennsylvanians can access federal tax credits to help
lower the cost of health insurance. All plans offered through Pennie include
comprehensive benefits such as:

• Hospitalization and emergency care
• Prescription drug coverage
• Maternity and newborn care
• Mental health and substance use services
• Free preventive services, including check-ups and screenings

Plans sold through Pennie also cover pre-existing conditions and provide important
financial protections against high medical costs. Health plans sold outside of Pennie
may appear comprehensive, but often exclude essential benefits, including coverage
for pre-existing conditions and preventive care.

“Resources like Pennie make a real difference for families in Lancaster City. When
entrepreneurs, small business owners and working families without employersponsored

insurance can find affordable, comprehensive health insurance coverage  through Pennie’s

marketplace, our community and economy are better for it,” said Lancaster City Mayor Jaime Arroyo.

Uninsured Pennsylvanians should visit pennie.com to explore coverage options and
apply for financial savings. Current Pennie enrollees must log into their accounts,
update income information, and shop plans. Plans and prices change every year, and
accurate income information is especially important this year due to recent federal
changes and increased penalties for outdated information.

Pennie provides free help to navigate the application process and plan selection in
many languages. Pennie-certified experts including enrollment assisters, health
insurance brokers, and Customer Service Representatives are available over the
phone, in person, or online. Visit pennie.com/connect to find local help at no cost.
Pennsylvanians looking for health coverage through Pennie can visit pennie.com or
call Pennie Customer Service at 844-844-8040 before the final deadline on January
31st. Pennie’s Customer Service Center is open from 8 am – 7 pm Monday through
Friday and on Saturday from 8 am – 1 pm during Open Enrollment.

Costs have risen by 102% for Pennie enrollees in 2026 due to the expiration of the
enhanced premium tax credits. Congress has not extended these critical savings. To
date, over 70,000 Pennsylvanians have dropped coverage as a result of the higher
prices – nearly 1,000 a day for most of Open Enrollment. More information can be
found at pennie.com/affordability.