Open enrollment for Governor Tom Corbett's "Healthy Pennsylvania" is less than 20 days away.
The plan, approved by the federal government in August, basically provides low income residents a subsidy to buy insurance from the private market.
“What Healthy Pennsylvania has is what's called a private coverage option, so it's using those federal dollars that were going to be made available towards Medicaid expansion, but it's supplied to what would be considered essentially a commercial plan paid for by these federal dollars,” said Jim Willshier, director of policy and partnership for the Pennsylvania Association of Community Health Centers.
Healthy Pennsylvania, however, won't be sticking around once Gov.-elect Tom Wolf takes office. During his campaign, Wolf said he plans to implement a full expansion of Medicaid once he takes office.
The transition has some experts concerned.
"Could someone be confused and think, 'I already have a card. I don't need to do this,' and show up at a doctor's office and be told that they don't have an insurance plan? I think that's definitely a concern we all have," said Willshier.
But Jeffrey Sheridan, Wolf's press secretary, said Wolf plans to work with both the outgoing administration and the federal government to make the conversion as smooth as possible.
“The federal government has already indicated that they're willing to work to make sure that the transition is seamless from the approved Healthy Pa. to real Medicaid expansion,” he said.
As to how long people can expect to have their Healthy Pennsylvania card?
"I would say it's probably almost a certainty that, for a good portion of 2015, we're going to see people coming into doctors' offices using their Healthy Pennsylvania insurance coverage," said Willshier.
Coverage for Healthy Pennsylvania begins Jan. 1, 2015, and open enrollment begins Dec. 1.
For questions or concerns regarding eligibility and enrollment, call Neighborhood Health Center of Lehigh Valley at 610-820-7600 or Pennsylvania Association of Community Health Centers at 1-866-944-CARE.
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