More than 14,000 Coloradans gain health coverage during emergency Special Enrollment Period; Marketplace reports higher enrollments and lower costs in 2020

05/11/2020

Contact: Monica Caballeros, 720-496-2574

DENVER — A total of 14,263 Coloradans gained health insurance coverage during Connect for Health Colorado’s emergency Special Enrollment Period, which ran from March 20 to April 30. The Marketplace opened the Special Enrollment Period in response to the outbreak of the coronavirus (COVID-19), to ensure as many Coloradans as possible have access to health care.

“We’ve seen a tremendous response to the emergency Special Enrollment Period and need for affordable health coverage,” said Chief Executive Officer Kevin Patterson. “As always, we are here to help Coloradans get covered and stay covered as they navigate life changes this year.”

Covering more than 14,000 previously uninsured Coloradans during the emergency Special Enrollment Period was a milestone in a successful year for the state’s official health insurance marketplace. We received strong support promoting the Special Enrollment Period from community partners and our statewide network of Brokers and Assisters. The new Open Enrollment Report for Plan Year 2020, released today, includes additional highlights for the 2020 plan year, including:

  • 166,850 Coloradans enrolled for 2020 health coverage during the Open Enrollment period.
  • 74 percent of customers qualified for financial help to reduce the monthly cost of health insurance.
  • Statewide rates for full price premiums dropped by 20 percent, which lead to an uptick in new enrollments in many rural counties.
  • 46 percent of our customers enrolled with the help of a trained and certified Broker, and another 6 percent enrolled with the help of a community-based Assister.

The new report includes more detailed information about changes to premium costs and financial help by county, the improved customer experience and our outreach tactics. Preliminary enrollment totals at the close of the Marketplace’s seventh Open Enrollment period were released in Jan. The Marketplace publishes monthly updates on total medical enrollments, as we continue to enroll Coloradans throughout the year who have life-change events.

Coloradans who have had a change in job, income or living situation should contact Connect for Health Colorado to find what health care coverage and financial help could be available. There are many ways to contact us to find out if you qualify for a 60-day Special Enrollment Period and get enrolled:

  • Online: ConnectforHealthCO.com
  • By phone: 855-752-6749
  • Virtual or phone appointment with an enrollment expert: ConnectforHealthCO.com/we-can-help/

###

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. Since 2013, we’ve been helping individuals, families and small employers compare plans, apply for financial help and buy health insurance. As Colorado’s official health insurance marketplace, we are the only place to apply for financial help to lower the monthly cost of premiums. Customers can shop online; get help by phone or online chat from Customer Service Center representatives; and access expert, in-person help from a statewide network of certified Brokers and community-based Assisters. For more information: ConnectforHealthCO.com