Open Enrollment for individual and family health plans begins November 1
Open Enrollment for individual consumers begins Tuesday, November 1. For individuals and families looking for health care coverage in 2023, Independence Blue Cross (Independence) will continue to offer a variety of health plans with comprehensive health care coverage and access to quality care. Individuals have from November 1, 2022, to January 15, 2023, to enroll in a health plan if they want coverage for 2023. Consumers who want to be covered starting January 1, 2023, must enroll by December 15, 2022.
“Independence Blue Cross continues to offer the most popular health plans, access to the most doctors and hospitals, and zero-dollar virtual care options with 24/7 access through online video, mobile app, or phone. Our members have access to the care they need, when they need it. Our members also know we will be here when they need us. We’ve been the only insurer consistently offering individual health plans in the region since the individual health insurance marketplace opened,” said Brett Mayfield, senior vice president and market president at Independence.
Expanded Tax Credits Available
The American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (ARP) is helping to make health care coverage more affordable. Pennsylvanians who do not have health care coverage through an employer or government program may qualify for the expanded premium tax credits created by the law to lower their monthly premiums for 2023. Individual consumers in Pennsylvania must review their health plan options and enroll before January 15, 2023, on the state-based health insurance exchange, pennie.com, to qualify for tax credits.
For those who did not apply in the past, Independence is recommending consumers take a look to see if they are eligible for tax credits for the first time. The Independence website includes a subsidy calculator to help consumers determine if they are eligible for financial assistance to lower their monthly health plan premium. The final determination of tax credit or premium subsidy eligibility will be made by Pennsylvania’s health insurance exchange pennie.com.
Independence Plans Support Whole Person Health
For 2023, Independence will continue to offer health plan options with access to the most doctors and hospitals in the Philadelphia five-county region.
Nearly all Independence health plans provide virtual visits at zero cost for members for primary care, behavioral health, and dermatology services through our network providers and MDLIVE*. For many additional services, members will pay $0 out-of-pocket, including preventive care, like annual check-ups, cancer screenings, and immunizations, as well as nutritional counseling.
Independence members also have access to valuable services at no additional cost. These include Registered Nurse Health Coaches available 24/7, digital weight management programming, family planning apps for each stage of the parenthood journey, health screening reminders, and cost-saving tips by email or text.
These health plans are available on Pennsylvania’s state-based health insurance exchange, Pennie, or by purchasing a health plan directly from Independence.
New for 2023
Independence has teamed up with AblePay Health** (AblePay) to help members save up to 13 percent on out-of-pocket medical expenses. AblePay offers payment discounts and flexible payment options to members. Members enroll with AblePay online, receive an AblePay ID card, and present the card, along with their insurance card, whenever they seek medical treatment.
Important Dates to Remember
| November 1, 2022
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Open enrollment begins for individuals not eligible for health care coverage through an employer or government program.
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| November 30, 2022 | Enroll in or renew an Independence Blue Cross health plan to ensure members receive their ID cards by January 1, 2023.
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| December 15, 2022 | Deadline to enroll in a health plan for health care coverage effective January 1, 2023.
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| January 15, 2023 | Open Enrollment ends. This is the final day individuals can enroll in health care coverage for 2023.
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How to Sign Up for Health Care Coverage
Independence licensed sales agents are available to help consumers enroll in health care coverage through the January 15, 2023, deadline.
On the phone
Independence licensed agents are available by phone at 1-888-475-6206 (TTY: 711) to answer questions and help consumers enroll in health care coverage from Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., Saturday and Sunday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., except major holidays.
Online
Consumers can visit Independence’s website, ibx.com, to find the health insurance coverage that is right for them and enroll in a health plan directly with Independence. The state-based exchange, pennie.com, is the only place consumers can enroll in health plans with financial assistance, and Pennie will make the final determination for tax credit or premium subsidy eligibility.
In person
Consumers can visit Independence LIVE on the second floor of 1919 Market Street in Philadelphia to meet with a licensed agent and enroll in a 2023 health plan, Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., except major holidays.
For Spanish-speaking consumers, Independence has licensed, Spanish-speaking sales agents available by phone at 1-844-315-4884. There is also an easy-to-use Spanish-language website at ibx.com/mas.
*MDLIVE is an independent company
**AblePay is an independent company
Media Contact:
Laura Hanes
215-910-0966 (mobile)
Laura.Hanes@ibx.com