Connect for Health Colorado and Colorado Medicaid Update

Ben Davis, [email protected], 303-522-6790 (Connect for Health Colorado)
Rachel Reiter, [email protected], 303-866-3921 (Colorado Medicaid)

DENVER, CO – Between October 1, 2013, and February 17, 2014, nearly 208,000 Coloradans have signed up or been approved for health coverage, according to new data from Connect for Health Colorado and the Colorado Department of Health Care Policy and Financing.

Enrollment activity continues at a steady pace in February ahead of the March 31 open enrollment deadline for commercial health insurance. March 15 is the next deadline for commercial health insurance coverage that starts April 1. According to federal guidelines, Coloradans who enroll in coverage by March 31 will not be subject to an IRS fee related to the new federal requirement to have adequate health insurance. Enrollment for Medicaid is year-round.

**More metrics information about Medicaid is available here and more metrics information about Connect for Health Colorado is available here.

Through state laws, Connect for Health Colorado was established as a non-profit entity with a Colorado mission. In addition, Colorado has expanded eligibility for Medicaid. Commercial health insurance purchased through Connect for Health Colorado’s competitive marketplace and the expanded eligibility for Medicaid both began taking effect in 2014. Enhanced federal funding that is available starting January 1, 2014 will support the Medicaid expansion.

Connect for Health Colorado has been open since October 1, 2013 and operates with separate technology and customer service operations from the federal marketplace, healthcare.gov. Connect for Health Colorado is open to individuals, families and small businesses. Individuals and families can choose from up to 150 private health insurance plans from ten carriers and small employers can create small group plans from up to 92 health insurance plans provided by six carriers. The Customer Service Center is open from 7 am to 8 pm Mondays through Saturdays at 1-855-PLANS-4-YOU (855-752-6749). More information is available at www.ConnectforHealthCO.com.

Colorado Medicaid and the Child Health Plan Plus (CHP+) are public insurance programs for low income Coloradans.  The Department of Health Care Policy and Financing administers these programs.  Coloradans have multiple ways to apply for coverage, Colorado.gov/PEAK is the online application for public assistance programs including medical assistance.  For more information visit Colorado.gov/hcpf or visit Colorado.gov/health. The Medicaid Call Center (800-221-3943 for general questions and 800-359-1991 to check application status) are available 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday to Friday.