Healthcare Enrollment with Pennie

[Image description: A rectangular graphic in light purple with intersectional pride stripes across the background of the graphic. Centered at the top are the Bradbury-Sullivan LGBT Community Center and Pennie logo. A progressive flag sit diagonally under circles that include images of diverse people.]

We are now in the Special Enrollment Period

If you think you have a Qualifying Life Event and need assistance signing up for health insurance via Pennie,
please feel free to stop by one of our enrollment events or contact one of our assisters directly:

In-person enrollment events:
📌Bradbury-Sullivan LGBT Community Center

2:00 - 5:00 p.m.
April 16, 24

10:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
April 11, 18, 25

📌Northampton Community College
Student Life Zone
College Center, Bethlehem, PA 18020
10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.
April 2

Anastasia Shakhurina (she/her)
[email protected]
Allentown, PA
(610) 347-9988 (ext. 301)

David Celli (he/him)
[email protected]
Philadelphia, PA
(610) 347-9988 (ext. 115)
Assister Certification #: 5000000137

The 2020 Pennsylvania LGBTQ Health Needs Assessment found that 1 in 20 respondents had no health care coverage. Financial security is another area of imbalance that affects the health of LGBTQ+ individuals. More than 4 in 10 respondents are living paycheck to paycheck. Access to affordable healthcare coverage is one crucial step in shrinking the health needs disparities experienced by those in the LGBTQ+ community.

Bradbury-Sullivan LGBT Community Center has paired up with Pennsylvania's Health Insurance Exchange (Pennie) to assist in getting members of the LGBTQ+ community enrolled in affordable, quality healthcare coverage. Pennie is the state-based healthcare insurance marketplace that takes the place of healthcare.gov, and is the only place to access financial assistance, if eligible.

Our Pennie Assisters will be scheduling both in-person and virtual events in order to promote and educate individuals about Pennie and how to obtain insurance through the state-based marketplace. In-person events will occur at LGBTQ+ community-based organizations across Pennsylvania. Virtual events will be hosted in conjunction with these organizations as well. In addition to these scheduled events, Assisters will have availability for one-on-one enrollment help at their “home” location. From browsing to uploading any required documentation, Assisters can help you apply and enroll in a health plan through Pennie.

The Special Enrollment Period is any time during the plan year if you qualify for a Qualifying Life Event (e.g. loss of job-based healthcare, turning 26, marriage/divorce).

There are 4 basic types of qualifying life events. (The following are examples, not a full list.)

Loss of health coverage

Losing existing health coverage, including job-based coverage, individual, and student plans
Losing eligibility for Medicaid, CHIP, or Medicare
Turning 26 and losing coverage through a parent's plan

Changes in household

Getting married or divorced
Having a baby or adopting a child
Death in the family

Changes in residence

Moving to a different ZIP code or county within Pennsylvania
A permanent move from another state into Pennsylvania
A student moving to or from the place they attend school
A seasonal worker moving to or from the place they both live and work
Moving to or from a shelter or other transitional housing

Other qualifying events

Changes in your income that affect the coverage you qualify for
Gaining membership in a federally recognized tribe or status as an Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act (ANCSA) Corporation shareholder
Gaining a qualifying immigration status
Leaving incarceration (jail or prison)
AmeriCorps members starting or ending their service

Note: Some QLEs must be verified by Pennie in order to open up a Special Enrollment Period. If one of the above situations applies to you, make sure to have your information handy when you go to apply.