This week, I wrapped up my annual presentations to the House Public & Behavioral Health & Human Services Committee and the Senate Health & Human Services Committee about 2021 enrollments and what’s ahead for Connect for Health Colorado. It’s a great opportunity to speak directly with policy makers and talk about the good work the staff, plus our Brokers, Assisters and community partners, do to help Coloradans stay covered.

Speaking of getting covered, we just shared that 17,000 more Coloradans have enrolled in a health insurance plan since we re-opened enrollment twelve weeks ago. I’m pleased that so many people are taking advantage of the extended enrollment period, as well as the additional savings we’re now providing.

I’m also extremely proud to share that Connect for Health Colorado has been recognized as one of The Denver Post’s Top Workplaces of 2021. It’s our staff and leadership team who make us worthy of this honor. It’s my privilege to lead this group and to create the right environment for us to deliver on our mission.

Be well,
Kevin Patterson, MURP, MPA
Chief Executive Officer
Connect for Health Colorado

We announced yesterday that we are now ready to offer Coloradans more tax credits on their health plans. Because of the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021, more Coloradans will be eligible for savings on their health plans, with additional financial help now available. The American Rescue Plan also lets us provide $0 and low-cost premium options to households in which someone has received any weekly unemployment benefits in 2021. This is good news for Coloradans struggling with their bills who still want to be covered.

As a reminder, our doors are now open until at least Aug. 15 for those who need coverage for this year.

Also this week, I enjoyed talking to the Colorado House Health and Insurance Committee about our accomplishments thus far, and our preparation for enrollments beginning today. I look forward to talking with the Senate Health and Human Services Committee later this session. It is always a pleasure to share our work with state policymakers.

Stay warm through our winter-like weather this weekend and thanks for all that you do to help us spread the word.

Be well, 

Kevin Patterson, MURP, MPA
Chief Executive Officer

At this time of year, usually what keeps us busy is wrapping up all the data from our last enrollment period. We are happy to provide that data through our By the Numbers report. This year we decided to take the report in a new, more virtual direction. We added new sections including an interactive media library and statewide maps to help you understand the impact of our work in your community. I thank my Marketing team for getting creative, and encourage you to take a look.

In addition to the report, we also shared that nearly 10,000 additional Coloradans have enrolled since Feb. 8, when we reopened a Special Enrollment Period.  

If that isn’t enough excitement, we are in the final stages of preparing to offer Coloradans more tax credits and extra savings on their health plans, thanks to the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021.

The Plan aligns with our mission of providing affordable health coverage in Colorado. We are pleased with the opportunity to keep our doors open to new customers and allow them to save on plans for this year, as well as offer more tax credits to current customers. Our systems will be ready for enrollment starting April 15. We will remain open until at least Aug. 15 and will share updates about those additional savings as enrollment continues in the coming months.

Thank you to all of our enrollment partners, as they get ready to help new and current customers take advantage of the savings.

Be well, 

Kevin Patterson, MURP, MPA
Chief Executive Officer
Connect for Health Colorado

It is hard to believe that one year ago, Connect for Health Colorado staff were packing up for what we thought might be a few weeks of remote work. We were all letting the news sink in that an actual pandemic was upon us. It was nearly impossible then to predict the year of lives lost and daily sacrifices we have all experienced since.

But as we pass this grim milestone, there is good news on the horizon. It is a relief to see Covid-19 case numbers falling and vaccine rates rising. And, some big news to help those struggling: the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 has been signed into law.

The Colorado Sun recently shared how the Plan will bring assistance to many Coloradans. In the health care realm, the changes to the Advanced Premium Tax Credit structure will provide much more access to financial help on health plans through the Marketplace, and it will increase the number of people who are eligible to receive this help.

Read the statement I made about how the Plan will make health insurance more accessible and affordable. We are working through the details of implementing the law and will share more regarding how Coloradans can see these savings in the coming months.

Reflecting on this anniversary, I am thankful that we have been able to get people covered and keep them covered. Our doors are open through May 15 for anyone who is not covered through our Uninsured Enrollment Period. We announced earlier this week that more than 4,000 people have enrolled so far.

We have a stakeholder toolkit available for you to help us get the word out about this enrollment period. Thank you for using these flyers and social media posts to help get people covered now.

Be well, 

Kevin Patterson, MURP, MPA
Chief Executive Officer
Connect for Health Colorado

To wrap up the last week of Black History Month, I participated in an interview with Denver’s DJKTONE for his Black Excellence Series on Instagram Live Wednesday evening. In addition, Connect for Health Colorado is presenting during the Center for African American Health’s Collaborative Black Health Summit this Friday and Saturday.

Nationally, we are closely following the proposed American Rescue Plan as Congress debates its provisions. The current draft of the Plan includes proposed changes to the Advanced Premium Tax Credit structure, which could drastically increase the amount of financial help available, as well as the number of people eligible to receive these benefits. Our staff is reviewing the plan closely and taking early steps to make sure we are ready to implement these changes, should the bill pass.

Meanwhile, we are continuing to remind any Coloradans who are not insured that they have the opportunity to enroll through our Uninsured Enrollment Period. Thank you for continuing to spread the word.

Be well, 

Kevin Patterson, MURP, MPA
Chief Executive Officer
Connect for Health Colorado

It’s that time of year – well, a little later this year, but it’s time. The Colorado Legislative session began this week, with an astounding 240 or so bills released in the first few days. We are eager to have our policymakers back to work and anticipate some activity in the health care space. We will follow those health-related bills and engage with thought leaders on policies that help forward our mission. More to come as we know more about health-related bills.  

As a reminder, we recently announced that our doors are open for anyone who is currently uninsured, including people who missed the annual Open Enrollment Period. The Uninsured Enrollment Period is open through May 15. We appreciate you spreading the word.

Black History Month

I shared some thoughts about our year round support of Colorado’s Black communities, and am proud that we are able to participate in several events this month in honor of Black History Month. This Saturday, I will give opening remarks at the Black Democratic Caucus Townhall. You can also find us presenting at and sponsoring the Center for African American Health’s Collaborative Black Health Summit next weekend.

Be well, 

Kevin Patterson, MURP, MPA
Chief Executive Officer
Connect for Health Colorado

Connect for Health Colorado, working with the state Division of Insurance, announced last week that we will offer an Uninsured Enrollment Period between Feb. 8 and May 15. Anyone who is currently uninsured may come through at this time, including people who missed the annual Open Enrollment Period or who is currently without health insurance. Coverage will begin the first of the month after plan selection.

This Uninsured Enrollment Period begins a week earlier than the federal exchange. The president announced his plans to open healthcare.gov through an Executive Order last week.

We’re pleased to continue to ensure that every Coloradoan who needs coverage, especially during the pandemic, will have this opportunity to get covered. Thank you for sharing this news with your neighbors, constituents and communities.

In the News

We shared updates about the new Enrollment Period in quite a few publications, including the New York Times, the Telluride Daily Planet and the Valley Courier.

Be well, 

Kevin Patterson, MURP, MPA
Chief Executive Officer
Connect for Health Colorado

It’s just been a week since we closed the books on our eighth Open Enrollment Period. We announced that nearly 180,000 Coloradans enrolled. While Open Enrollment has officially ended, please remind members of your community that they can still enroll if they have a life-changing event, such as losing job-based health coverage or losing income.

Also this week, Connect for Health Colorado staff and I enjoyed connecting to our rural communities at the Voices of Rural Colorado joint legislative visit. This annual event is hosted by Club 20 (Western Slope counties), Action 22 (southeast Colorado and San Luis Valley) and Progressive 15 (northeast Colorado) to bring leaders together to discuss rural issues with legislators and hear from state and federal elected officials about their legislative agendas. While the event was virtual this year, I hope that next year we can do this in person.

In the News

Colorado Public Radio shared the news about our final Open Enrollment numbers.

Be well, 

Kevin Patterson, MURP, MPA
Chief Executive Officer
Connect for Health Colorado

Today is the last day for Coloradans to enroll in 2021 coverage. As we wrap up this Open Enrollment Period, I want to take a moment to thank our enrollment partners for their extraordinary work this year, assisting customers almost all virtually because of the pandemic. While we had to work through some technology challenges and the pandemic forced us all to approach our work differently, we were still able to get many Coloradans enrolled. As a reminder, we announced last week that enrollments are running about 9% ahead of last year.

Once we close out the enrollment period, we will begin formally gathering data and share it as soon as we have it available, including final enrollment numbers. But today, we published our 2020 Annual Report, where we provide an update on work toward our strategic plan.

Usually at this time of year, we also turn our attention to the State Capitol. However, lawmakers will return for just three days before taking a pause until mid-February due to Covid. The Colorado Sun does a nice job explaining how the legislative session will begin.

Be well, 

Kevin Patterson, MURP, MPA
Chief Executive Officer
Connect for Health Colorado