2019 deadline is here

To Our Valued Stakeholders,

Happy New Year! I hope you’ve all had a great to start to your new year. We’re quite busy around here, as I expect you are too.

We announced earlier this week that rural counties were leading the way in sign-ups through early January. As one of our 2017-2020 Strategic Plan goals is to of improve access to coverage in rural areas of Colorado, we are pleased to see these numbers in these communities.

To keep the momentum through the Jan. 15 finish line, there are enrollment events this weekend in Aurora and Fort Collins, as well as in Canon City and Sterling on Monday and Tuesday. We have extended hours at our Customer Service Center to include assistance this Saturday, as well as regular business hours Monday, and extended hours to 10 p.m. on Tuesday evening.

This morning, I participated in a press conference with Denver Mayor Michael Hancock hosted by Denver Health. There, I reminded small business owners who may not be able to provide traditional employer-sponsored plans that we are able to provide their employees with affordable insurance. We recently launched a Small Business Coverage page on our website specifically aimed at the needs of businesses with 10 or fewer employees. There are no employer contribution requirements.

In the policy world, we look forward to working with the new governor and policymakers on ideas related to making healthcare more affordable for our customers. It has already been a busy legislative session.

Also this week, we submitted our comment to the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) on the Exchange Program Integrity proposed rule. You can read it here.

In the News

I enjoyed the opportunity Monday to sit down for a Facebook Live interview with Brother Jeff, a journalist and organizer in Denver’s Five Points neighborhood. We talked about Open Enrollment, eligibility, Connect for Health Colorado’s mission and a number of topics. You can watch it here.

I am grateful for your efforts and the results we are seeing during this sixth Open Enrollment period. Thanks for your dedication to getting Coloradans covered.

Take care,

Kevin Patterson, MURP, MPA
Chief Executive Officer
Connect for Health Colorado