Pennie: Enroll by December 15 for Coverage That Starts January 1

Pennie open enrollment is open now — and this year, the December 15 deadline matters more than usual. Enroll or switch plans by December 15, 2026 and your 2027 coverage starts January 1. Wait until the final window (through January 15, 2027) and coverage starts February 1 — a month with no insurance. Here is what to do, in order.

Why this year is a must-review year

Prices changed sharply for 2027, the federal help that lowered premiums in past years has shrunk, and the rules for who gets that help narrowed for some lawfully present immigrants starting January 1, 2027. In past years most people could let their plan roll over and land fine. This year, letting it roll can mean paying more than you need to — or keeping help you no longer qualify for and owing money back at tax time. Log in, update your income, and compare plans even if you liked last year’s.

Before Pennie, check Medical Assistance

If your income fits, Medical Assistance (Medicaid) is free and beats any marketplace price. Expansion adults qualify with income up to $22,025 a year for a household of 1 (up to $45,540 for a household of 4). One application on COMPASS checks Medical Assistance first. For kids, CHIP is free for a family of 4 earning up to $68,640 — check it before paying for a family plan.

Your two deadlines

• December 15, 2026 — last day to enroll or switch for coverage starting January 1, 2027.
• January 15, 2027 — last day of open enrollment; coverage starts February 1, 2027.

After January 15, you can only enroll with a qualifying life event (losing other coverage, a move, a marriage, a baby). The background is in our Pennie open enrollment guide and on the Pennie program page.

Two warnings

Pennie is not Medicare. If you’re 65 or on Medicare, your window is different — Medicare open enrollment ends December 7, and free unbiased help comes from PA MEDI (details here). And pennie.com is the only official site. Certified help through Pennie is free — never pay a website to enroll you, and never give banking details to anyone who called you about “your Pennie application.”

Free help

Pennie’s customer service line is 1-844-844-8040, and Pennie-certified assisters help free in many languages. Not sure which door fits — Medical Assistance, CHIP, or Pennie? Take our free 2-minute check and we’ll lay out every program your household fits, with steps, in one emailed guide.

Philadelphia Benefits is not a government agency. Applying is always free at the official sites.