FRANKFORT – Beginning Wednesday, Nov. 1, Kentuckians can shop and enroll for health and dental coverage on the state-based marketplace, kynect.
Enrollment opened Wednesday and will continue through Jan. 16, 2024. Kentuckians who sign up on or before Dec. 15, 2023, will have a coverage start date of Jan. 1, 2024. Those who sign up on Dec. 16 through the last day of enrollment will be eligible for coverage that starts on Feb. 1, 2024.
Kentuckians who don’t have coverage through another source, such as through an employer, Medicaid, the Kentucky Children’s Health Insurance Program, Medicare or TRICARE, can start shopping for individual coverage on kynect. All plans offered on the marketplace cover 10 essential health benefits, including emergency services, hospitalization, lab services and prescription drugs. All plan types also cover certain preventive services at no cost, and no one can be dropped from coverage or have their premiums increased because of health issues.
In 2020, Gov. Beshear relaunched kynect to help ensure more Kentucky families have access to the best information about their health plans and benefits.
“Health care is a basic human right – and every Kentucky family deserves to be able to see a doctor and receive treatment when they are sick,” Gov. Beshear said. “By removing barriers to care, we are helping Kentuckians not only stay healthy and live their best life, but we are also supporting our workforce. We know that when people don’t feel good, it hinders their ability to seek and maintain a job.”
Four carriers will offer health plans: Anthem, CareSource, Passport by Molina Healthcare and WellCare of Kentucky. Passport by Molina Healthcare will expand by 22 counties, and WellCare will expand by 26 counties. Anthem and Best Life will offer dental plans. An expanded number of plans have been certified for 2024 and all counties have at least two carrier choices, with most having three choices and many now having four choices.
Carrie Banahan, deputy secretary for the Cabinet for Health and Family Services, encouraged consumers to visit kynect.ky.gov for plan details. “There’s more to plans than the monthly premium,” she said. “Make sure your doctors and other clinicians are in their network. Check out whether your favorite pharmacy is among their preferred.”
Not all plans are the same, Banahan said. In 2024, some plans offered have added features or benefits, including enhanced diabetes coverage, fitness memberships and vision benefits. Telehealth is covered by all plans at differing out-of-pocket costs. Kentuckians still have access to the more generous financial assistance originally made available as part of the American Rescue Plan. More plans are available, and this continued financial assistance keeps costs to families lower.
Open enrollment in a qualified health plan also overlaps with other annual open enrollments, including Medicare. Medicare beneficiaries may make changes through Dec. 7 and enrollment choices take effect on Jan. 1, 2024.
For kynect enrollment assistance, visit kynect.ky.gov or call 855-459-6328. You may also get help at your local Department for Community-Based Services office, from a kynector or a licensed health insurance agent.
