Harrisburg, PA – The Pennsylvania Insurance Department today announced Pennsylvania's 2024 Individual and Small Group Affordable Care Act (ACA) health insurance rates, highlighting new insurers in the market, increased marketplace competition for several counties and modest rate increases tracking below the rate of medical inflation. Pennsylvanians can expect more options and greater competition while shopping for health insurance plans for 2024.
"Pennsylvanians want access to comprehensive, ACA-compliant health insurance at an affordable price," Pennsylvania Insurance Commissioner Mike Humphreys said. "The Shapiro Administration is dedicated to the health, well-being, and financial security of all Pennsylvanians and we're committed to ensuring that consumers have affordable options to stay insured."
For 2024 health plans, Highmark is expanding into five new counties (Bucks, Chester, Delaware, Montgomery, and Philadelphia counties) and Geisinger will expand its individual and small group offerings into Bedford County, increasing choice for consumers. In addition, consumers in Bucks, Philadelphia and Montgomery counties will see one more health insurer offering coverage in the individual market as Pennsylvania welcomes another new entrant, Jefferson Health Plans, to the southeastern market.
Not every Pennsylvanian is expected to experience health insurance premium increases in 2024, yet some Pennsylvanians could see increases higher than the statewide average if they retain their current plan, and the Department encourages Pennsylvanians to explore their options and shop for coverage for 2024. Based on the products now approved by the Insurance Department, all insurers currently offering individual market coverage in Pennsylvania's 67 counties will continue to provide plans in 2024 with a statewide average increase of 3.9%, which is lower than what insurers initially filed and what was reported this summer. The commonwealth will see a 4.1 % average increase in the small group market. The individual and small group market rate increases are lower than last year's increases and are trending lower than current national averages for 2024 health plans.
The Commonwealth's reinsurance program, authorized by Act 42, continues to provide savings, holding 2024 premiums approximately 4.6% lower in the individual market compared to where they would be absent the reinsurance program. One of the Department's top priorities has always been to increase competition within counties, which ultimately presents more options to consumers looking for comprehensive health insurance plans that provide robust benefits. This marks the sixth year where Pennsylvania is seeing increased competition, demonstrating Pennsylvania's efforts to stabilize and improve affordability in this market.
Pennsylvanians will also have new options for dental plans, including new stand-alone dental plans available in 59 PA counties, underwritten by UnitedHealthcare, and administered by Solstice of New York, Inc. Pennsylvanians will see these new plan options when they shop on Pennie ®.
Pennsylvanians can find the lowest costs on quality health plans through Pennie, Pennsylvania's official health insurance marketplace. Pennie is the only place where Pennsylvanians can find financial savings to reduce the cost of coverage and care, and 9 in 10 current enrollees qualify. All health plans available through Pennie have important consumer protections, including coverage for pre-existing conditions. Anyone who does not have health coverage through work or a government plan, such as Medicare or Medicaid, may be eligible for lower premiums through Pennie.
"Pennie offers many Pennsylvanians a way to save costs while having the protection of high-quality health coverage, which builds on the Insurance Department's critical work to ensure stable and competitive health insurance options," Pennie Executive Director Devon Trolley said. "We encourage anyone that is uninsured or looking for better health coverage to visit pennie.com to protect your health, wallet, and peace of mind."
Pennie's upcoming Open Enrollment Period is the only time of year to enroll in individual and family health coverage for 2024. Open Enrollment begins this November 1, and December 15 is the deadline for coverage that starts on January 1. Outside of Open Enrollment, only individuals with life changes, such as losing coverage from Medicaid and family events, can enroll throughout the year.
Consumers looking to learn more about health insurance should visit the Department's dedicated Health Insurance page. To learn more about Pennie, which offers free help by phone and in person across Pennsylvania, visit pennie.com or call 1-844-844-8040.
Pennsylvanians with insurance questions can contact the Insurance Department Consumer Services Bureau online or at 1-877-881-6388. Follow PID on Twitter and like the department on Facebook.