November 02, 2020
The 2021 Open Enrollment Period began on Sunday, November 1, and runs through Friday, January 15, 2021. Consumers who want to have coverage beginning on January 1, 2021 need to enroll by December 15, 2020.
Independence Blue Cross (Independence) will continue to offer a variety of individual and family health plans with comprehensive coverage and access to the most doctors and hospitals in the Philadelphia five-county region.
New this year, every Independence metallic level plan provides virtual visits for primary care, behavioral health, and dermatology services with zero cost for members.
This year, Pennsylvania is moving to a new state-based health insurance marketplace, called Pennie, for 2021 health care coverage. Pennie.com replaces Healthcare.gov as the only place Pennsylvanians can go to enroll in a plan and receive financial assistance. Financial assistance is available in the form of a tax credit or premium subsidies and can help lower the costs of individual or family health plans. Consumers who are not eligible for financial assistance can enroll directly with Independence. Use the Independence tax credit calculator to see if you are eligible for financial assistance.
Current Independence members who are comfortable with the health plan do not need to do anything during the Open Enrollment Period. These members will be automatically enrolled in the same health plan (or an alternative that closely matches their current health plan) for 2021.
When shopping for health insurance, think about how you will use your health plan and make sure your preferred doctors and hospitals are in the health plan’s network. It’s also important to look at the cost to buy as well as the cost to use health insurance. In addition to monthly premiums, be sure to consider your:
Independence will also offer consumers convenient options to obtain information and enroll in health care coverage for next year. While in-person assistance is suspended because of the COVID-19 pandemic, Independence licensed agents are available in other ways to help you 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 you enroll in health care coverage from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., Monday through Friday, except major holidays. Agents will also be available on Saturdays and Sundays from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., except Saturday, December 26 and Sunday, December 27.
Online:
You can visit Independence’s website — ibx.com — to find the
health insurance coverage that is right for you and enroll in a health plan
directly with Independence. The website includes a subsidy estimator that
allows you to see if you may qualify for financial assistance to help pay
for your health insurance.
For Spanish-speaking consumers, Independence has licensed Spanish-speaking sales agents available by phone at 1-844-315-4884. There is also a Spanish-language website — ibx.com/mas.
