Hundreds of thousands of Pennsylvanians frozen out of the first year of coverage under the 2010 federal health care law's Medicaid expansion can now begin applying for it.
Enrollment begins Monday for childless adults earning up to $15,600 this year. More parents also will become eligible, depending on income and children. Coverage begins Jan. 1, and state officials say some 600,000 adults are newly eligible.
Previously, able-bodied adults under 65 weren't eligible for Medicaid, unless they had practically no income.
They can choose from Medicaid-funded insurance plans offered by eight insurers across nine geographic regions.
Not all hospitals will carry each regional plan, however.
Sicker people will be moved into the existing Medicaid program.
People can enroll online at www.compass.state.pa.us or by calling 866-550-4355 or by going into a county assistance office.
