To Our Valued Stakeholders,

We were glad to meet with so many of our partners from around the state this week as Brokers, Assisters and others gathered for the annual Building Better Health Conference, many of them having braved an early storm to get to the conference.

It gave us an opportunity  to talk about our new eligibility system, even as it went live on Monday for 2018 special enrollment period applications. We’re asking all our enrollment experts to not begin applications for 2019 enrollments until Open Enrollment begins on November 1. These weeks give us a chance to identify improvements we can make ahead of Open Enrollment.

Meeting face to face with so many of you from the four corners of our state gives us a chance to continue to better understand the challenges you face in your work and to express our gratitude for your partnership in achieving our mission to increase access, affordability and choice for Coloradans buying health insurance.

Take care,

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

Our teams have been traveling the state to take questions on the eligibility system we are putting in place for the November 1 start of open enrollment.

It’s  good feedback and we have used your questions to update our FAQ. Hope you find it helpful as we all prepare for the big day.

Connect for Health Colorado preparations remain in high gear. Our systems will be offline through 7 am Monday while we make updates necessary to get ready to sell 2019 plans.

We are recruiting from the healthcare provider community for an open seat on our Board Advisory Group. You can find information here.  Interested candidates should submit an application to [email protected].

In the News

Hope you saw the lead story in the Sunday Denver Post. It was an examination of hospital costs and the role of construction. Click here to catch up if you did not see it.

Take care,

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

There is a lot of good news for our customers in the health and dental plan offering that the state Division of Insurance approved yesterday.

In a clear sign of growing stability in the individual health insurance market, all seven health insurance companies will be back, along with four dental plans, so most of our customers who are happy with their 2018 plans can keep them. Our analysis shows that customers receiving financial help will see, on average, a 24% drop in their net – after premium tax credit — premium.

Of course, we encourage all consumers to use our site to get at an estimate of their total costs rather than basing their choice solely on premium. But the premium picture is much brighter than recent years.

• Three out of four of our customers who bought their health insurance with financial help this year will have an option for health insurance with a net premium less than $50 per month in 2019.
• Two out of three of our customers who qualify for financial help will be able to find a bronze level plan for $0 net premium.
• Three out of four customers not receiving financial help can reduce their premium if they move to the lowest cost plan available in their current metal tier. The savings range from 4% to 10%.

Connect for Health Colorado is the only place to get financial help to reduce health insurance premiums. On average, that reduction takes 80% off the sticker price. Yet many Coloradans don’t even check to see if they can qualify, wrongly assuming they make too much money.

We will be looking for your help making sure they check beginning in 27 days, when our sixth Open Enrollment Period begins on November 1.

Take care,

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

Contact: Luke Clarke 720-496-2545

DENVER – With rate increases lower than the state has seen in years, Connect for Health Colorado® customers who qualify for financial help are looking at an average decrease in their net (after tax credit) premium of 24% next year.

The Colorado Division of Insurance today issued final approval for individual health insurance plans that will increase by an average of 5.6% in 2019. The relatively small increase in monthly premiums and the return of all seven health insurance companies to the Connect for Health Colorado, the state’s health insurance Marketplace, are signs of a stabilizing market for Coloradans who buy their own health insurance coverage.

“I am happy that so many of our customers will be seeing premium decreases,” said Connect for Health Colorado CEO Kevin Patterson. “But I remind everyone that it is still important to look at all your options. Things change and the best value for your family in 2019 could be different than what it was in 2018. We have tools to evaluate the whole cost of coverage and compare offerings side-by-side.  I urge everyone to use them when they renew or shop for new coverage in 2019.”

Analysis shows that three out of four of Coloradans who bought their health insurance with financial help through the Marketplace this year will have an option for health insurance with a net premium (after financial help) less than $50 per month in 2019. Two out of three of the more than 100,000 Connect for Health Colorado customers who qualify for financial help will be able to find a bronze level plan for $0 net premium. Bronze level plans are the lowest premium tier but come with higher deductibles and other out of pocket costs than silver and gold level plans.

“The news is just as good for new customers coming to Connect for Health Colorado for 2019,” Patterson said. “Those who qualify for financial help will, on average, see their premiums reduced by 80%.”

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

We know there is concern about a proposed rule change that would make it harder for immigrants to obtain visas or green cards if they have used or might use certain types of public assistance. We are reviewing the proposal and intend to make a formal comment.

The proposal would broaden the definition of a “public charge.” A public charge is an applicant considered not economically self-sufficient and a potential burden on the government.

The released rule differs from a draft that was leaked earlier by not including Advanced Premium Tax Credit among the assistance programs that could negatively impact immigration status. However, the proposal would add Medicaid, food stamps and housing subsidies to the list and we recognize the challenge the discussion is already bringing to our work and the work of many of our partners.

We will be discussing the proposed changes at our Oct. 8 board meeting. In the meantime, we have put together this memo for our board. Kaiser Health News has provided this high-level information.

As we get a better understanding, we will provide resources for our Brokers, our Community Based Assistance network, county eligibility workers and other partner organizations.

In the News

It’s becoming a trend among western states. Nevada was first and now New Mexico is moving to become a full state-based health insurance marketplace, like Colorado. Until now, the two states have operated on federal technology, but they have concluded that they can save money and achieve better flexibility operating on their own. Inside Health Policy had the story this week.

Eleven states and the District of Columbia operate fully state-based marketplaces, 11 states operate in various level of federal partnership, and the rest rely on entirely on the federal marketplace.

Take care,

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

We have been sharing a “sneak peek” at some of the key changes to our new eligibility system, even as we prepare to roll it out in October.

We have had a lot of great feedback from Assisters and Brokers along the way and in recent webinars. We have developed a 10-minute recorded presentation for anyone unable to attend (or wanting to review).

These were only the start. We are planning more presentations and trainings on the new system in coming weeks as we complete development.

Building Better Health Registration Open

Hope we will be seeing you at Building Better Health on October 15 and 16. This is always a great in-person training and networking opportunity for the people from all over the state who help Coloradans enroll in health coverage.

Building Better Health is hosted by Covering Kids and Families. We have been working on the planning committee with representatives of the state Department of Health Care Policy and Financing, the state Division of Insurance, the Colorado Consumer Health Initiative, and PEAK Outreach. The conference is funded by the Colorado Health Foundation.

Registration is free. The deadline to register is Friday, October 5. Learn more about Building Better Health.

Take care,

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

Kids are going back to school, a few stray yellow leaves are appearing in Colorado high country and as of Friday (August 17), we are 75 days from the November 1 start of Open Enrollment. The state Division of Insurance has published a draft regulation for public comment that sets the closing date for January 15, 2019. You can find it deep in that document, in Section 7.

November doesn’t feel so far away any more. We’re working hard on our new eligibility system and will be ready to welcome new and renewing customers by the first.

In the News

Colorado got a favorable mention this week in a Governing magazine article about state marketplaces where there are signs of premium stabilization, even with continued political uncertainty. We are among eight states the Kaiser Family Foundation found with at least one health insurance company asking to reduce premiums in preliminary filings.

Take care,

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

Contact: Luke Clarke 720-496-2545, [email protected]

DENVER – Annie Lee, an executive with Children’s Hospital and longtime healthcare leader in Colorado, joins the Connect for Health Colorado® Board of Directors following her appointment by Gov. John Hickenlooper.

Ms. Lee comes to the board with extensive experience with health insurance assistance programs in Colorado and nationally. The appointment is to a term that runs to July 1, 2022, filling an opening created by the resignation of Denise M. O’Leary.

Ms. Lee is the executive director of Community Health and Medicaid Strategies and Programs at Children’s Hospital Colorado. She has worked with Medicaid and subsidy programs at the Colorado Department of Health Care Policy and Financing as well as with Kaiser Permanente Colorado.

“We’re excited to welcome Annie to our Board,” said Board Chair Adela Flores-Brennan. “Her deep experience in healthcare and extending coverage to Coloradans with difficulty affording health insurance will serve us well in achieving our mission to increase access, affordability and choice in our state for individuals, families and small businesses.”

Ms. Lee graduated from the University of Colorado with a degree in Political Science and earned a Juris Doctorate from the Sturm College of Law, University of Denver.

The Connect for Health Colorado Board has nine voting members and three ex-officio members.

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 help 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 help from a statewide network of certified Brokers, community-based Health Coverage Guides or Application Counselors. For more information:  ConnectforHealthCO.com

To Our Valued Stakeholders,

The Division of Insurance (DOI) has released encouraging news in the form of 5.94% average increase in the proposed rates for individual health insurance for 2019. The DOI notes in a press release that this is the smallest increase in a number of years and includes a breakdown by metal tier level.

We have said it before, but it is truer this year than ever. Individuals need to look at the total cost of their coverage – not just premium – and check for eligibility for Premium Tax Credit help before choosing their coverage.

We also want you to know that we have added a calendar of planned presentations about our new eligibility system to our technology page.

Risk Adjustment

Yesterday we joined with nine other state-based marketplaces in a letter to Health and Human Services executives emphasizing the critical importance of the risk adjustment program in restraining rate increases for our customers. The department announced suspension of the program one week ago based on questions arising from a February ruling in U.S. District Court in New Mexico.

Federal authorities clarified that the risk adjustment program in 2019 and beyond will continue, deep (page 3) in this July 12 memo.

In the News

We are reminded again this week of the benefit of operating our own state-based marketplace when the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services announced another cut to assisters in states served by the federal marketplace. The New York Times reports the $10 million budget represents an 80 percent cut in two years.

Take care,

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

To Our Valued Stakeholders,

We had the opportunity Monday to talk with our policy committee about the results of our most recent surveys. That included surveys of new and returning customers, lapsed customers and Colorado residents selected at random.

The responses show progress in key areas:

• Fewer customers reporting technical problems
• More customers giving positive marks to our Customer Service Center
• An 18-point jump in the percentage of customers likely to recommend Connect for Health Colorado

In the News

There was encouraging news in a Kaiser Family Foundation report this week on the positive financial performance of health insurance companies in the individual market. A good first quarter this year for many follows positive results in 2017, more indication that markets are stabilizing, even as the policy debate continues.

Last Friday I participated with three other state-based marketplace directors on a panel at the national America’s Health Insurance Plans (AHIP) 2018 Institute & Expo, where we talked about the importance of outreach strategies. Inside Health Policy covered it here.

Take care,

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