Without Congressional approval of Pennie’s Enhanced Premium Tax Credit (EPTC), the actual impact of these tax credits expiring is an average increase of 102%, reflecting a doubling of premiums across all current enrollees.

Several considerations and contingency plans were discussed during the recent Pennie Board of Directors meeting, including the possibility of delaying the start of Open Enrollment if Congress were to approve EPTC between October 25 and October 31. This would allow Pennie and the health insurers time to update their systems and calculate more accurate costs. If no Congressional decision is made by October 31, Pennie would open on November 1 as planned without enhanced premium tax credits. Individuals would see sticker shock in the system and on enrollee renewal notices, causing many to abandon the security of health insurance.

Pennie estimates 29 counties in total will experience premium increases more than 100%, with 9 seeing premium increases more than 200% with the highest average premium increases in Juniata County (485% per member) and Fulton County (411% per member).

To help mitigate some of these changes and allow customers more time to make decisions, Pennie has extended the December 15 deadline to December 31 for January 1 coverage to allow consumers adequate time to understand the premium changes coming to the plan they have been renewed into and shop for a different plan if their current plan is now unaffordable Pennie has also extended the 2026 Open Enrollment Period to January 31, 2026, and made the effective coverage date February 1, 2026, for plan selection made on or after January 1, 2026.

Starting on October 16, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits are not being paid until the federal government shutdown ends and funds are released to Pennsylvania.

The Department of Human Services (DHS) will notify SNAP recipients when payments can resume and when to expect SNAP payments. Patients and recipients can access information about local programs providing assistance by calling 211 or by visiting Feeding Pennsylvania or PA Navigate. SNAP recipients should continue to complete paper and online renewals. Work requirements and limits for some SNAP recipients will take place on November 1.

To keep or become eligible for SNAP, recipients must meet work requirements of 20 hours a week or 80 hours each month of work, volunteering, or participating in an education or training program. These must be reported to fulfill the requirement. This applies to those between 18 and 64 years of age, those with no dependent children under 14 and are considered able to work. Those who qualify for exemptions must complete the Medical Exemption Form and contact a Caseworker.

A new analysis by KFF shows that an exemption in HR1’s (aka One Big Beautiful Bill) work requirements could offer relief to millions of Americans needing to work to secure health insurance through Medicaid but may have trouble finding a job. Under the law, Medicaid enrollees in counties where unemployment is at least 8% or 1.5 times the national unemployment rate could be shielded from the work requirement if their state applies for an exemption.

The Pennsylvania Department of Human Services selected Maximus to continue administering the Pennsylvania Enrollment Assistance Program for the next five years. Maximus currently assists eligible Pennsylvanians with health plan enrollments. Under this latest contract award, the population will expand to include Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) recipients. Of note, Maximus will use AI-based training tools to support its digital customer contact center.

The Pennsylvania Primary Care Career Center is excited to host opportunities this fall for health centers to network with prospective primary care provider candidates and maybe find your next hire. Registration for the Pittsburgh event, taking place Oct. 29 at 6:00 pm at Olive or Twist, is open. The cost to attend and exhibit is $200 per health center, which includes a dedicated table to display promotional materials and talk to candidates, free food and beverages, and the opportunity to network with potential candidates and explore partnerships with training institutions. We already have 25 candidates registered with new registrations coming in daily! Register by Oct. 15. Contact Caitlin Wilkinson, Director of the Pennsylvania Primary Care Career Center, or Dorian Benjamin, Talent Acquisition Specialist, with questions.