Connect for Health Colorado® CEO Kevin Patterson Statement on Division of Insurance Announcement Regarding Colorado HealthOP

Today, the Colorado Division of Insurance took action preventing the Colorado HealthOp from selling 2016 plans on the Marketplace. Current Colorado HealthOp customers who have purchased individual 2015 insurance through the Marketplace will continue to have that coverage, as long as they pay their premium, until December 31, 2015.

According to Kevin Patterson, Connect for Health Colorado Interim CEO, “We want to assure our Colorado HealthOp customers that we have a statewide network of Brokers and Health Coverage Guides who are fully trained and certified to assist those customers in choosing and enrolling in new coverage for 2016, at no cost to the customer. We are fortunate in Colorado to have a competitive Marketplace with over ten health insurance companies offering highly qualified health plans to Coloradans in 2016.”

Mr. Patterson added, “Access to insurance is in our mission and we work every day and especially on days with news like this, to fulfill our mission on behalf of Colorado individuals, families and small businesses. Open Enrollment will begin on November 1, and we are committed to helping all our current and new customers determine if they are eligible for financial assistance through tax credits and to enroll in a highly-qualified health plan by December 15 for January 1, 2016 coverage. To find free, confidential, in-person help in your community, visit our website, ConnectForHealthCO.com.”

Kevin Patterson,
Interim CEO, Connect for Health Colorado

About Connect for Health Colorado
Connect for Health Colorado is a public, non-profit entity established 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 is the only place to apply for financial assistance in the form of tax credits to help lower the monthly cost of premiums. Customers can shop online; get help by phone or online chat from Customer Service Center representatives; and access free, in-person assistance from a statewide network of certified Brokers, community-based Health Coverage Guides or Application Counselors. For more information: www.connectforhealthco.com