Connect for Health Colorado and Colorado Medicaid Update

12/2/2013

CONTACTS:
Ben Davis, [email protected], 303-552-6790 (Connect for Health Colorado)
Rachel Reiter, [email protected], 303-866-3921 (Colorado Medicaid)

DENVER, CO – Between October 1 and November 30, more than 74,000 Coloradans have signed up or been approved for health coverage that takes effect January 1, 2014, according to data released today from Connect for Health Colorado and the Colorado Department of Health Care Policy and Financing.

Metrics

** 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 is expanding eligibility for Medicaid. Private health insurance purchased through Connect for Health Colorado’s competitive marketplace and the expanded eligibility for Medicaid both take effect starting January 1, 2014. Enhanced federal funding that is available starting January 1, 2014 will support the Medicaid expansion.  Colorado.gov/PEAK is the online application for Medicaid and the Child Health Plan Plus (CHP+).  Medicaid and CHP+ do not have an open enrollment period and takes applications year round.

“The pace of enrollments is increasing, including one day last week when close to 600 people signed-up for private health insurance plans through Connect for Health Colorado,” said Patty Fontneau, CEO of Connect for Health Colorado. “We are making a strong push for enrollments in December and expect a busy month.”

“We continue to be pleased with the number of individuals that will gain coverage under the Medicaid expansion starting in January,” said Susan Birch, Executive Director of the Colorado Department of Health Care Policy and Financing. “We are working collaboratively with Connect for Health Colorado to find more Coloradans that can benefit from health insurance.  Whether it be private health insurance or through public health insurance like Medicaid, having health insurance coverage is an important first step towards improved overall health.”

Connect for Health Colorado has been open since October 1 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, offering health insurance options that will take effect as early as January 1, 2014. Open enrollment for Connect for Health Colorado continues until March 31, 2014. 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. New financial assistance will be available to nearly 500,000 Coloradans to reduce costs. 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.