Understanding Pennie: Pennsylvania’s Health Insurance Marketplace

Barbara Dabolt | Sep 05 2025 17:00

If you’re under 65 and don’t have health coverage through an employer, Pennie is Pennsylvania’s official health insurance marketplace—and it could be the key to finding affordable coverage. For families in Lancaster, York, Berks, and Lebanon Counties, Pennie offers access to plans that include financial assistance to help lower monthly costs.

 

 

How Pennie Works

Pennie allows you to compare health insurance options side-by-side, apply for subsidies, and enroll in coverage all in one place. It’s also the only way to access tax credits that can significantly reduce your premiums.

 

 

Enrollment Periods:

  • Open Enrollment: Runs from November 1 through mid-January each year.
  • Special Enrollment: If you’ve experienced a qualifying life event—like losing job-based coverage, getting married, or moving—you may qualify to enroll at another time.

 

 

Who Benefits Most from Pennie

  • Individuals or families without employer-based coverage
  • Self-employed professionals and small business owners
  • People who recently lost health insurance

  • Residents looking for subsidies to make coverage more affordable

 

 

What to Expect from Pennie Coverage

Plans on Pennie must include essential benefits such as:

  • Doctor visits
  • Prescription drugs
  • Preventive care
  • Hospitalization
  • Maternity and newborn care

You can choose from Bronze, Silver, Gold, and Platinum levels depending on your budget and healthcare needs.

 

 

 

Quick Summary: Pennie at a Glance

  • Pennsylvania’s state-run health insurance marketplace
  • The only way to access subsidies and tax credits
  • Open Enrollment: Nov. 1 – mid-Jan. each year
  • Special Enrollment available with qualifying life events
  • Plans cover essential health benefits required by law

 

 

Local Perspective: Why It Matters in Lancaster County

For many Central PA families, Pennie makes health coverage more affordable and accessible. Whether you’re in Elizabethtown, York, Lebanon, or Reading, working with a local independent agent can help you navigate the system more easily and ensure your doctors and prescriptions are included.

 

 

 

Take the Next Step

Exploring Pennie on your own can feel overwhelming—but you don’t have to go it alone. At Dabolt Insurance Agency, we’ll help you compare options, calculate your savings, and enroll in the right plan for you and your family.