Health insurance help for Pennsylvania residents
Compare Medicare, health insurance marketplace plans and Medicaid in Pennsylvania, with a guide for every county and each major city, reviewed by a licensed agent.
- Reviewed by Richard Lander, licensed agent (NPN 21255551)
- No cost to call
- No obligation to enroll
What is different about coverage in Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania Medicaid is run by the Department of Human Services, and Pennsylvania runs its own state-based ACA marketplace, Pennie, instead of the federal HealthCare.gov site. Pennsylvania Insurance Plans is free to use for Pennsylvania callers working through Medicare, ACA, life, or supplemental coverage questions.
- Pennsylvania Medicaid (Medical Assistance) is administered by the Department of Human Services (DHS) -- DHS is the right place to start if your Pennsylvania Medicaid eligibility changed.
- Pennsylvania runs its own ACA marketplace, Pennie, instead of the federal HealthCare.gov site, with its own open enrollment period running November through January.
- Free Medicare counseling is available in Pennsylvania through PA MEDI (formerly known as APPRISE) at 1-800-783-7067, run by the Pennsylvania Department of Aging and separate from Pennsylvania Insurance Plans's own free phone help.
Worth knowing: Pennsylvania's Medicare counseling program changed its name from APPRISE to PA MEDI in July 2021 -- same program and services, run by the Department of Aging, just under a new name, so older references to APPRISE still point to the same free help.
Coverage questions we help Pennsylvania residents with
Health plans (ACA marketplace)
How Pennsylvania’s marketplace works, who qualifies for help with costs, and when you can enroll.
Medicare
Turning 65, Medicare Advantage, Medigap and drug plans, with Pennsylvania’s free counseling program.
Medicaid
Where to apply in Pennsylvania, and what to do when your coverage changes.
Pennsylvania by county
Medicare Advantage plans and marketplace premiums are set county by county, so the plans open to you depend on where in Pennsylvania you live. Start with your county.
Major Pennsylvania cities
Pennsylvania colleges and universities
- Pennsylvania State University
- Temple University
- University of Pittsburgh
- West Chester University
- Indiana University of Pennsylvania
- Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education
State bird: Ruffed Grouse
Bonasa umbellus. Pennsylvania’s official state bird, shown here as a local touch.
Photo: Per from Kaministiquia, Canada (CC BY-SA 2.0), via Wikimedia CommonsCommon Pennsylvania questions
Where do I shop for ACA health plans in Pennsylvania?
Pennsylvania residents shop through Pennie (https://www.pennie.com). An independent agent such as Lander LLC can explain the plans for you, but the marketplace is the only place premium tax credits are applied.
How do I apply for Medicaid in Pennsylvania?
Medicaid in Pennsylvania is run through Pennsylvania Department of Human Services (DHS) (https://www.pa.gov/agencies/dhs/resources/medicaid). Eligibility depends on income, household size and other factors, and it is decided by the state, not by an insurance agency.
Who regulates insurance in Pennsylvania?
Pennsylvania Insurance Department (https://www.pa.gov/agencies/insurance/consumer-help-center) regulates insurance companies and agents in Pennsylvania. You can use it to check that an agent or company is licensed and to file a complaint.
Is there free, unbiased Medicare help in Pennsylvania?
Yes. PA MEDI (Pennsylvania Medicare Education and Decision Insight, formerly APPRISE) (1-800-783-7067) offers free Medicare counseling through the State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP), separate from any insurance agency.
Does Pennsylvania Insurance Plans cost anything to use?
There is no cost to call or to speak with an agent. Insurance premiums and plan costs are set by the insurance companies and are separate from our help.
Talk with a licensed agent about Pennsylvania coverage
Call Lander LLC to go over your options. There is no cost to call or to speak with an agent, and you are never required to enroll in anything.
Call 855-367-1095Reviewed by Richard Lander, licensed insurance agent (NPN 21255551), Lander LLC. Last updated October 3, 2026. This page is educational and is not a quote, an offer of coverage, or legal or tax advice.