Connect for Health Colorado® and Colorado Medicaid Report Enrollment Gains Topping 145,000

December 16, 2015


Contacts: Connect for Health Colorado,
Luke Clarke, 720-496-2545, [email protected],
Health Care Policy and Financing, Marc Williams, 303-866-3144, [email protected]

DENVER — Between Nov.1 and Dec. 15, more than 145,000 Coloradans enrolled in health coverage for 2016, either in private health insurance purchased through the state health insurance Marketplace or in Medicaid, or Child Health Plan Plus (CHP+), according to new data released today by Connect for Health Colorado® and the Colorado Department of Health Care Policy and Financing.

“We have seen solid gains during the first month and a half of this Open Enrollment,” said Connect for Health Colorado® CEO Kevin Patterson.  “The record number of customers signing up in the last week has led us to extend the deadline through Thursday to enroll for Jan. 1 coverage. I want to remind everyone who does not have health insurance provided through their employer to enroll now to provide financial security for their family and to avoid a penalty of nearly $695 or more.”

Open Enrollment began November 1. Since then, 116,394 people enrolled in private health care coverage through Connect for Health Colorado®. Due to the heavy volume of customers enrolling and inclement weather on Dec. 15, Connect for Health Colorado is extending the deadline to Thursday, Dec. 17, to enroll in coverage effective Jan. 1.

In addition, the coverage gains include 27,341 in Medicaid and 1,448 in CHP+.

“Today’s enrollment numbers demonstrate that Coloradans recognize the importance and value of having health coverage,” said Sue Birch, MBA, BSN, RN,  executive director, Department of Health Care Policy and Financing. “We encourage our members to utilize the preventive services covered by Medicaid to ensure a healthy holiday season and throughout the new year.”

Nov. 1-Dec. 15

2016 Coverage Total Medicaid CHP+ Connect for Health Colorado (private health insurance)
Coloradans enrolled

 

145,183 27,341 1,448 116,394

 

 Key dates and deadlines for individuals and families buying private coverage

  • Open Enrollment: November 1, 2015 – January 31, 2016.
    • You cannot purchase health insurance after this period unless you have a qualifying life-change event, such as marriage, divorce, having a child, losing your employer-sponsored insurance, or moving to Colorado.
  • Last day to enroll for coverage beginning January 1, 2016, is December 15, 2015. You must pay your first-month’s bill by December 25.
  • Last day to enroll for 2016 coverage (absent a life change event): January 31, 2016.

Medicaid and CHP+ are open to qualifying individuals year-round.

About Connect for Health Colorado
Connect for Health Colorado is a public, non-profit entity established in law by the Colorado General Assembly in 2011 to create a health insurance Marketplace.  It opened for business on Oct. 1, 2013, for individuals, families and small employers to compare and buy health insurance and apply for tax credits to help make their insurance more affordable. Customers can shop online; get help by phone or chat from expert Customer Service Center representatives; and find in-person assistance from certified brokers and agents, community based certified Health Coverage Guides or Certified Application Counselors. In 2015, the Marketplace enrolled more than 150,000 Coloradans in private insurance and helped nearly 100,000 gain access to new tax credits that made their health coverage more affordable – all while keeping fees among the lowest in the country. For more information: www.connectforhealthco.com

About the Colorado Department of Health Care Policy and Financing: The Department administers the Medicaid and Child Health Plan Plus programs as well as a variety of other programs for low-income Coloradans who qualify. For more information about the department, please visit Colorado.gov/hcpf.