Residents affected by disasters can enroll in health coverage now
DENVER– Due to the fires in Boulder County on December 30, 2021 and the rapid increase in COVID-19 cases due to the Omicron variant, Colorado is opening a Disaster Relief Special Enrollment Period. Uninsured residents who have been impacted by these disasters can access the Special Enrollment Period now through March 16, 2022.
“I’m thankful we can offer this opportunity and hope it provides greater peace of mind to those who need health coverage during this time,” said Kevin Patterson, Chief Executive Officer of Connect for Health Colorado, the state’s health exchange. “I urge residents who have been affected but don’t know where to go to find health insurance to start with Connect for Health Colorado. We are here to help every step of the way.”
“The spike in COVID-19 cases and the fires in Boulder County have been a one-two punch for many Coloradans. And both events impact people’s physical and mental health, making health insurance coverage so important,” said Colorado’s Insurance Commissioner Michael Conway. “People are still sorting through the effects of COVID-19 and the fires, and we know there will be long-term consequences, meaning that if you or your family need health insurance, now is the time to enroll.”
Coloradans qualify to enroll in health insurance coverage now if they:
- Are impacted by Colorado wildfires, including the Marshall Fire
- Are impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic
- Experience a different qualifying life event
Health insurance will begin on the first day of the month following plan selection. Enrollees will not be asked by the health insurance company to provide documentation to verify their eligibility for the Disaster Relief Special Enrollment Period (now through March 16, 2022).
Connecting with Enrollment Assistance
Free help is available from enrollment experts—certified Brokers and community-based Assisters— located throughout Colorado. Connect for Health Colorado offers Enrollment Centers to provide help signing up for a health insurance plan in person, virtually or by phone.
To find out whether you qualify for additional savings on health insurance plans, how much financial assistance you can receive and to see all the plans available to you, contact Connect for Health Colorado at ConnectforHealthCO.com or by calling 855-752-6749.
People can enroll in Health First Colorado (Colorado’s Medicaid program) and the Child Health Plan Plus (CHP+) program any time during the year if they qualify.
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Media Contact
Monica Caballeros, Connect for Health Colorado, [email protected], 720-576-7995
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 help from a statewide network of certified Brokers and community-based Assisters. For more information: ConnectforHealthCO.com
