FRANKFORT, Ky. — The comeback of Kentucky’s state-run health insurance exchange is underway, as consumers can now use it to apply for health coverage for the coming year.

Retaining its original kynect branding, the state-run web portal will enable Kentuckians to apply for coverage and complete their enrollment. From Nov. 1 through Jan. 15, 2022, consumers can log in to the portal to compare state-managed health insurance plans.

“Starting today, Kentucky families can go online and shop and save on quality health care coverage,” Gov. Andy Beshear said. “Health care is a basic human right, and the healthier we all are, the better spot we are in to build a better Kentucky and further boost our booming economy.”

Enrollments received through Dec. 15, 2021, will qualify for coverage that begins Jan. 1, 2022. For Kentuckians who enroll between Dec. 16, 2021, and Jan. 15, 2022, coverage will start Feb. 1, 2022. 

Kynect acts as a one-stop shop for vital assistance programs in Kentucky, featuring health coverage, food assistance (SNAP), child care assistance and even local help with food, housing and mental health.

You can learn more about the program here.

New plans will take effect on the first of the year, giving Kentuckians a good amount of time to review details of any plans they need.

The need for quality health care has never been more apparent than during the COVID-19 public health crisis, the governor said during a virtual news conference in October.

“Everybody, no matter what side of the aisle we are on, now ought to believe that there ought to be a path to secure health care for everyone,” Beshear said. “It’s not red or blue, it’s not Democrat or Republican. What we’ve seen is it’s life versus death.”

Beshear said the state-based exchange allows Kentucky to “tailor our plans to lift up the health of our people, save the state and the people money and create a one-stop shop.”

Former Gov. Steve Beshear, launched kynect in 2013 as part of the Affordable Care Act, but it was dismantled by Matt Bevin, the Republican governor who followed.

In a state with high rates of cancer and other diseases, the portal signed up hundreds of thousands for health coverage before it was shut down by the previous governor.

“People deserve easy access to information about their health plans and their benefits,” Beshear said in October. “It shouldn’t be hard to secure something that keeps you healthy and, in a pandemic, alive.”

The Associated Press contributed to this report.