December 15 is the deadline to sign up to be covered on January 1
Independence Blue Cross (Independence), the region’s leading health insurance organization, is reminding consumers that an Open Enrollment deadline is approaching. Anyone not eligible for health care coverage through an employer or government program must enroll in individual health insurance by TOMORROW December 15 if they want coverage effective January 1, 2022.
For 2022, 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 MDLIVE*. These health plans are available on Pennsylvania’s state-based health insurance exchange, Pennie, or by purchasing a health plan directly from Independence.
Expanded Tax Credits for Consumers
The American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (ARP) is helping to make health care coverage more affordable. Pennsylvanians may qualify for the expanded premium tax credits created by the law to lower their monthly premiums for 2022. Individual consumers in Pennsylvania must enroll before December 15, 2021, on the state-based health insurance exchange, pennie.com, to qualify for tax credits beginning January 1.
For those who did not apply in the past, Independence is recommending consumers take a second 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.
How to Sign Up for Health Care Coverage
While in-person assistance is suspended because of the COVID-19 pandemic, Independence licensed agents are available in other ways to help consumers enroll in health care coverage.
On the phone
Independence licensed sales agents are available by phone at 1-888-475-6206 (TTY: 711) to answer questions and help consumers enroll in health care coverage Monday – Friday, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., Saturday and Sunday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
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. Pennie will make the final determination for tax credit or premium subsidy eligibility.
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.
Information to Have Close By
To complete the enrollment application, consumers will find it helpful to have on hand the following items for all members of the family they wish to enroll:
- Social Security numbers (or tax numbers for immigrants in need of insurance)
- addresses and dates of birth
- information on tobacco use
- income information (pay stubs or W-2 forms, tax returns, and salaries)
- employer information, including employer name, address, and telephone number
- policy numbers for any current health insurance plans
- information about any work-related health insurance available
Open enrollment for individuals and family health plans runs from November 1, 2021, through January 15, 2022. Consumers looking for health insurance to begin January 1, 2022, must enroll by December 15, 2021.
Media Contact:
Laura Hanes
215-910-0966 (cell)
Laura.Hanes@ibx.com