Open enrollment for federally subsidized health insurance ends Tuesday, Jan. 16; Ky. enrollment is already ahead of last year's

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By Melissa Patrick
Kentucky Health News

Kentuckians can still shop for and enroll in federally subsidized health insurance coverage on the state-based marketplace, Kynect, though Jan. 16 for coverage starting Feb. 1. That will be the end of open enrollment for 2024.

To sign up, Kentuckians can visit kynect.ky.gov or call 855-459-6328. They can also get help at a local Department for Community-Based Services office from a Kynector or a licensed health insurance agent at no cost. 

"They'll guide you through the process of finding quality, affordable health care coverage that's best suited for you and your family," Gov. Andy Beshear said Thursday at his weekly press conference. 

Kentuckians who don’t have coverage through an employer, Medicare, Medicaid, the Kentucky Children’s Health Insurance Program, or the Pentagon's Tricare program can shop for individual coverage on Kynect.

The Kynect website also provides a prescreening tool to see if your family may be eligible for benefits. 

A Kentucky Voices for Health blog post about the open-enrollment process said four of five Kentuckians are eligible for tax credits that can make premiums less than $10 a month, and many are eligible for $0 monthly premiums.

As of Jan. 4, Beshear said 71,414 Kentuckians have signed up for health insurance through Kynect, 8,852 more than last year. "This, I believe, is our strongest year, at least since the relaunch" of the state-based exchange, he said. 

“Three years ago, I made it a priority to relaunch Kynect, because I believe health care is a basic human right,” said Beshear. “Today, I’m pleased to see so many Kentuckians taking advantage and receiving the benefits they deserve.”

Four carriers offer health-insurance plans through Kynect: CareSource, Passport by Molina Healthcare, WellCare of Kentucky and Anthem. All counties have at least two carriers to choose from, with most counties having three carriers and many with four. 

All plans offered on the marketplace cover 10 essential health benefits, including emergency services, hospitalization, lab services, prescription drugs and certain no-cost preventive services.