In Pennsylvania, about 90% of people have Health Insurance, which means that only one in ten residents is unprotected in this state. Despite this percentage being one of the lowest in the country (Pennsylvania is the 8th best state in the nation when it comes to Health Insurance coverage), the amount of residents lacking health insurance has remained stable over the past five years. While this means that likely residents are being able to keep their coverage, it also means that the efforts and measures being taken by the Insurance Department and the Department of Health are being ineffective, and the percentage has not been lowered.

There are two factors that could potentially risk the percentage of coverage across the state. The first one is the poor (and decreasing) public health funding (13th lowest in the US), with barely $57 per capita spent in public health. The second one is that the percentage of employers offering health benefits to workers across the state has been decreasing for the past five years. Still, with over 61% of employers offering Health Insurance to their workers, and 83% of workers taking on these benefits, the rates are some of the highest in the nation. Pennsylvania needs to ensure that the decrease in employers offering plans does not represent a decrease in the insurance coverage percentage.

Despite of the low funding in this state the rate of primary care physicians for the (almost 126 for every 100,000 residents) is one of the 10 best in the country, and overall, health care in this state seems to be adequate and available. Efficiency could be an issue if funding continues to decrease, but with over 90% of residents being able to receive medical care when needed (14.3% of those who are under the 200% Federal Poverty Line are being served by FQHCs), the state does as much as it can with the funding it has.

If you’re currently in Pennsylvania and looking for Health Insurance coverage, we strongly suggest you to visit the site of the Pennsylvania Department of Insurance. This entity, which regulates Health Insurance for this state, has a list of all licensed companies and agents authorized to sell you Health Insurance in Pennsylvania.

Health Information:

Health Ranking:  #27
State Health Department Web Site: http://www.dsf.health.state.pa.us/

The United Health Foundation has ranked Pennsylvania as the 27th healthiest state in the Country. What does this mean for Pennsylvania residents? It means that overall, health indicators as compared to the rest of the country, are slightly worse this year than last year, when the state was ranked as the 24th healthiest state. Nevertheless, Pennsylvania is still a relatively healthy place to live, and could be an even healthier place, if they manage to work on the health issues that have dragged them down for the past eight years.

The state’s scarce funding is one of the biggest issues currently, as it’s one of the health indicators that have reduced consistently over the past years. The Health System’s adequacy has not been sacrificed yet, but it could see a decrease in the future. Preventive health and healthier lifestyles are also a factor that could improve the health’s status, especially when it comes to the percentage of obesity among residents, which has more than doubled over the past 20 years. Pennsylvania is on the verge of either achieving great progress or falling further down in the health rankings of the country. It’s up to their residents and Health system to decide which way they wish to go by the actions they take this year.

Health Highlights

• This state has the country's lowest geographical disparity within the state. With only 7.4% of geographical disparity, it’s easier to ensure accessible health care.


• Pennsylvania has a high rate of high school graduations among incoming 9th graders (82.5% of incoming ninth graders graduate within four years).


• The state has the 8th lowest rate of uninsured residents, with barely 10% of residents lacking coverage, and ready access to primary care with 125.9 primary care physicians per 100,000 residents.

Health Weaknesses

• Pennsylvania’s increase of the incidence of obesity increased 3.8% in the past year, and over 15% in the past twenty years.


• Public health funding per capita was cut $20 this past year and is now below national averages.


• The state has levels of air pollution at 15.3 micrograms of fine particulate per cubic meter, which is a factor that leads to the high incidence of infectious disease cases.


• Immunization coverage for toddlers within the state has decreased in 2008.


• The state has a high rate of unnecessary hospitalizations (84.7 discharges per 1,000 Medicare enrollees).


• Premature death rate has risen as compared to last year's, which possible means that overall quality of life in Pennsylvania could be lowering.

Pennsylvania Health Insurance Quotes

In order to save on health insurance in Pennsylvania and find the best match for your personal coverage needs, you need more information than any one health insurance company can provide. You need to be able to review quotes from a broad range of Pennsylvania health insurance companies and see how their plan rates and benefits stack up. That is why we enable you to choose from a broad range of insurance companies and health insurance plans available in Pennsylvania.

Pennsylvania Health Insurance News

As a resident of Pennsylvania, it’s always important to be informed of the latest events and news regarding Health Insurance in your state. Here are some of the latest headlines that mention Health Care and Health Insurance related topics for Pennsylvania:

Pennsylvania Insurance and Department of Health Information

If you have any additional questions or need special assistance, feel free to visit or contact Pennsylvania’s Department of Insurance and Department of Health directly:

Pennsylvania Insurance Department
1326 Strawberry Square
Harrisburg, PA 17120
Phone: (877) 881-6388
http://www.ins.state.pa.us/ins/site/default.asp

Pennsylvania Department Of Health
Health and Welfare Building
7th & Forster Streets
Harrisburg, PA 17120
1-877-PA-HEALTH
http://www.dsf.health.state.pa.us/