Medicare and Pennie Resources | Phillyhealth Cares

When is Open Enrollment for Medicaid, Medicare, CHIP, and Pennie?

Open enrollment for 2026 coverage under Medicaid, Medicare, CHIP, and Pennie opened on November 1st, 2025.
December 15th, 2025 is the last day for applicants to enroll in plans for coverage to start on January 1st, 2026.
Open enrollment closes on January 15th, 2026. After this date, you cannot enroll in marketplace health plans (Pennie) until the next open enrollment period (November 1st, 2026) unless you qualify for a Special Enrollment Period. You can apply for free or low-cost coverage through Medicaid or CHIP at any time.
Anyone who enrolls in an insurance plan between December 16th and January 15th will have coverage starting on February 1st, 2026.
See the following links for application/enrollment information for the plan you are interested in:
- Medicaid
- Medicare
- CHIP
- Pennie

Medicaid, also known as Medical Assistance (MA), provides health coverage to many people, traditionally low-income adults, children, pregnant people, elderly adults, and people with disabilities. Medicaid is subject to federal requirements, but is individually administered by the states. Pennsylvania has requirements for income, resources/assets, ability to verify identity, providing a Social Security number, residency, citizenship (excluding emergency medical conditions), and household composition that must be met in order to receive Medicaid.
Enrollment to Medicaid: Anytime

Medicare is a federal health insurance option available to individuals 65 and older and some people below 65 with certain conditions (e.g. ALS). Medicare has multiple plans that address a variety of healthcare coverage needs. If you are eligible for Medicaid and Medicare, you can enroll in both for supplemental coverage.
Open Enrollment to Medicare: October 15 – December 7, 2025. Coverage begins January 1st, 2026.

The Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) offers low-cost health coverage to children and pregnant women that do not qualify for Medicaid based on income.
Enrollment to CHIP: Anytime

What is Pennie?
Pennie is the official health insurance marketplace offered by the state of Pennsylvania for individuals that do not qualify for Medicaid. Pennie collaborates with PA Department of Human Services (DHS), the Office of Income Maintenance (OIM), and the Children’s Health Insurance Plan (CHIP).
Open Enrollment to Pennie: November 1, 2025 - January 15, 2026. Anyone who enrolls in an insurance plan between December 16th and January 15th will have coverage starting on February 1st, 2026.

A Special Enrollment Period is a time outside the Open Enrollment period when you are eligible to enroll in or change your marketplace plan. You can qualify for a Special Enrollment Period based on certain life events including, but not limited to, losing other coverage, marriage, or the birth of a child.