Date January 27, 2016

 

DENVER — Connect for Health Colorado® today is sending all customers their Health Insurance Marketplace Statement, or Form 1095-A, to help them complete their federal income tax filings.

The Form, which is being sent this week through the mail and being posted to clients’ Connect for Health Colorado accounts, includes information about what they paid for health insurance, what, if any, tax credit they received, and the information that was used to determine the amount of their tax credit.

All 155,000 Coloradans who purchased health insurance through Connect for Health Colorado in 2015 will receive the statements, whether they received a tax credit or not, in early February. In 2015, Coloradans received an average tax credit of $235 per month, adding up to $180 million in premiums savings as a result of Marketplace tax credits.

“We recommend our customers keep this form in a safe place with other tax documents,” said Kevin Patterson, CEO of Connect for Health Colorado. “It is very important that those individuals who received a tax credit in 2015 file their taxes; since not filing will put eligibility for future tax credits in jeopardy.”

In addition to Form 1095-A, some Coloradans will receive Form 1095-B if they or a family member received Medicaid, Child Health Plan Plus (CHP+), or other public health coverage benefits for any part of the year.

FAQ: Form 1095-A
What is a Form 1095-A?
It is a tax form that includes:

• Information about anyone in your household who enrolled in a health plan through the Marketplace for 2015.
• How much you paid in monthly premiums to your health and/or dental plan.
• Information about a “benchmark” premium used to compute your premium tax credit.
• The amount of any advance payments of the premium tax credit that were paid to your health or dental plan on your behalf for 2015 — these payments would have lowered what you paid for your monthly premiums if you elected to receive them in advance, as many people did.

Who gets it?
If you or anyone in your household enrolled in health insurance for 2015 through Connect for Health Colorado (the Marketplace), you will receive a Form 1095-A. You will get a Form 1095-A even if you did not receive a tax credit and even if you had Marketplace coverage for only part of 2014. The information is also provided to the IRS by Connect for Health Colorado.

When will I get it?
You will receive it in the mail by early February. At the same time, a copy will be placed in the My Documents section of your Connect for Health Colorado account that you can download and print.

What if I got more than one 1095-A?

• You may get more than one Form 1095-A if anyone in your household switched plans in 2015.
• It also might happen if you had more than one policy covering people in your household during 2015 or if you enrolled in a health and dental plan.

What do I do with it?
When you get the Form 1095-A, make sure the information matches your records. Check things like the start and end dates of your coverage and the number of people in your household. If you think information on your Form 1095-A is incorrect, call 1-855-PLANS-4-YOU (855-752-6749) to find out if you need a corrected form.

You will use information from your Form 1095-A  to complete Form 8962, which you will file with your tax return to report any advanced premium tax credits you received or to claim premium tax credits. You keep the Form 1095-A for your records. You can get Form 8962 from the IRS or your tax preparer.

What if I have more questions?
If you have questions about Form 1095-A, or how your health insurance coverage affects your taxes, you can call us at 1-855-PLANS-4-YOU (1-855-752-6749). If you have questions on how to complete your taxes, you can call your local tax preparer or the IRS at 1-800-829-1040. Monday – Friday, 7:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m. or visitwww.irs.gov/uac/Affordable-Care-Act-Tax-Provisions-Home.  Additional information will accompany Form 1095-A when it is mailed to you. It’s important to wait for your 1095-A to arrive before you file your taxes and to check the information carefully.

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

January 21, 2016

Contacts: Connect for Health Colorado, Luke Clarke, 720-496-2545, [email protected]

DENVER — Connect for Health Colorado® today issued additional information to clarify its enrollment totals in the current Open Enrollment Period.

Between the Nov. 1 beginning of Open Enrollment and January 15, 139,579 people enrolled in private health care coverage through Connect for Health Colorado® and 23,017 enrolled in dental coverage. Total enrollment for the period for both types of coverage is 142,632.  For the comparable date last year, 121,650 had enrolled in medical plans and 20,580 in dental coverage. Because many customers who buy health insurance also buy a separate dental plan, there is some overlap. Previously released enrollment totals for this open enrollment period also combined dental and medical enrollments.

Open enrollment for this year ends Jan. 31. However, individuals and families who are shopping for new coverage because their health insurance company is no longer offering health plans in their area – or because they had a policy last year that no longer meets the minimum legal requirements – will be permitted to enroll in new coverage through Feb. 29 through a Special Enrollment Period. This includes individuals and families who purchased their 2015 health insurance on or off Connect for Health Colorado’s site.

About Connect for Health Colorado
Connect for Health Colorado is a public, non-profit entity established in law 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 apply for tax credits to help make their insurance more affordable. Customers can shop online; get help by phone or chat from expert Customer Service Center representatives; and find in-person assistance from certified brokers and agents, community based certified Health Coverage Guides or Certified Application Counselors. In 2015, the Marketplace enrolled more than 150,000 Coloradans in private insurance and helped nearly 100,000 gain access to new tax credits that made their health coverage more affordable – all while keeping fees among the lowest in the country. For more information: www.connectforhealthco.com

January 19, 2016

Contacts: Connect for Health Colorado, Luke Clarke, 720-496-2545, [email protected]
Health Care Policy and Financing, Marc Williams, 303-866-3144, [email protected]

DENVER — Between Nov.1 and Jan. 15, more than 190,000 Coloradans enrolled in health coverage for 2016, either in private health insurance purchased through the state health insurance Marketplace or in Medicaid, or Child Health Plan Plus (CHP+), according to new data released today by Connect for Health Colorado® and the Colorado Department of Health Care Policy and Financing.

“These enrollment figures show strong growth during this open enrollment period,” said Connect for Health Colorado® CEO Kevin Patterson.  “But we are now only days away from this year’s enrollment deadline for many. I strongly urge everyone who does not have health insurance provided through their employer to act right now to provide financial security for their families and to avoid a penalty that experts estimate will average nearly $1,000 per household. The final deadline for 2016 coverage for many Coloradans is Jan. 31.”

Since the Nov. 1 beginning of Open Enrollment 142,632 people enrolled in private health and dental care coverage through Connect for Health Colorado®.

In addition, the coverage gains include 45,100 in Medicaid and 2,771 in CHP+.

Open enrollment for this year ends Jan. 31. That will be the last chance for most Coloradans to sign up and protect their family budget with health insurance.

However, individuals and families who are shopping for new coverage because their health insurance company is no longer offering health plans in their area – or because they had a policy last year that no longer meets the minimum legal requirements – will be permitted to enroll in new coverage through Feb. 29  through a Special Enrollment Period. This includes individuals and families who purchased their 2015 health insurance on or off Connect for Health Colorado’s site.

Nov. 1-Jan. 15

2016 Coverage	Total	Medicaid	CHP+	Connect for Health Colorado (private insurance)
Coloradans enrolled	190,503	45,100	2,771	142,632

Key dates and deadlines for individuals and families buying private coverage

• Open Enrollment: November 1, 2015 – January 31, 2016.
  • You cannot purchase health insurance after this period unless you have a qualifying life-change event, such as marriage, divorce, having a child, losing your employer-sponsored insurance, or moving to Colorado.
• Last day to enroll for 2016 coverage for those qualifying for Special Enrollment period: 29, 2016.

Medicaid and CHP+ are open to qualifying individuals year-round.

About Connect for Health Colorado
Connect for Health Colorado is a public, non-profit entity established in law 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 apply for tax credits to help make their insurance more affordable. Customers can shop online; get help by phone or chat from expert Customer Service Center representatives; and find in-person assistance from certified brokers and agents, community based certified Health Coverage Guides or Certified Application Counselors. In 2015, the Marketplace enrolled more than 150,000 Coloradans in private insurance and helped nearly 100,000 gain access to new tax credits that made their health coverage more affordable – all while keeping fees among the lowest in the country. For more information: www.connectforhealthco.com

About the Colorado Department of Health Care Policy and Financing: The Department administers the Medicaid and Child Health Plan Plus programs as well as a variety of other programs for low-income Coloradans who qualify. For more information about the department, please visit Colorado.gov/hcpf.

Jan. 13, 2016

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

DENVER – Connect for Health Colorado® announced today that thousands of Coloradans would have additional time to pick new health insurance coverage for 2016 through a Special Enrollment Period.

Individuals and families who are shopping for new health insurance coverage because their health insurance company is no longer offering health plans in their area – or because they had a policy last year that no longer meets the minimum legal requirements – will be permitted to enroll in new coverage through Feb. 29. This includes individuals and families who purchased their 2015 health insurance on or off Connect for Health Colorado’s site.

“We have worked with the state Division of Insurance and our carrier partners to give Coloradans in these particular circumstances a little more time to enroll in a health plan,” said Kevin Patterson, CEO of Connect for Health Colorado®. “But I want to remind everyone who does not have health insurance provided through their employer to enroll now to provide financial security for their family and to avoid a penalty of $695 or more.”

Those who do not qualify for a Special Enrollment Period must enroll in a health plan by the end of Open Enrollment on Jan. 31, 2016. That is the last chance for most people to buy health insurance this year and avoid a tax penalty that is expected to average nearly $1,000 per household this year.

The Special Enrollment Period, through February 29 is largely offered to individuals who lost certain types of coverage:

• Those whose 2015 coverage was with the Colorado HealthOP or Access Health Colorado.
• Those who were Rocky Mountain Health Plans but are no longer in the company’s redrawn service area.
• Subscribers of “Transition” plans, which do not meet the standards of the Affordable Care Act.

For help with any health insurance enrollment, go to Connectforhealthco.com.

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

January 5, 2016

Contacts: Connect for Health Colorado, Luke Clarke, 720-496-2545, [email protected]
Health Care Policy and Financing, Marc Williams, 303-866-3144, [email protected]

DENVER — Between Nov.1 and Dec. 31, more than 169,000 Coloradans enrolled in health coverage for 2016, either in private health insurance purchased through the state health insurance Marketplace or in Medicaid, or Child Health Plan Plus (CHP+), according to new data released today by Connect for Health Colorado® and the Colorado Department of Health Care Policy and Financing.

“We are very happy with the enrollment growth during the first two months of this open enrollment period,” said Connect for Health Colorado® CEO Kevin Patterson.  “But I want to urge everyone who does not have health insurance provided through their employer to act now to provide financial security for their families and to avoid a penalty of nearly $695 or more. The final deadline for 2016 coverage –Jan. 31 – is fast approaching.”

Since the Nov. 1 beginning of Open Enrollment 132,263 people enrolled in private health care coverage through Connect for Health Colorado®.

In addition, the coverage gains include 35,269 in Medicaid and 2,031 in CHP+.

“It’s encouraging to see such strong enrollment numbers for Connect for Health Colorado,” said Sue Birch, MBA, BSN, RN,  executive director, Department of Health Care Policy and Financing. “It’s critically important for all Coloradans to apply for health insurance by January 31st for the health and well-being of themselves and their families.”

Nov. 1-Dec.  31

2016 Coverage	Total	Medicaid	CHP+	Connect for Health Colorado (private health insurance)
Coloradans enrolled	169,563	35,269	2,031	132,263

 

Key dates and deadlines for individuals and families buying private coverage

• Open Enrollment: November 1, 2015 – January 31, 2016.
  • You cannot purchase health insurance after this period unless you have a qualifying life-change event, such as marriage, divorce, having a child, losing your employer-sponsored insurance, or moving to Colorado.
• Last day to enroll for coverage beginning January 1, 2016, is December 15, 2015. You must pay your first-month’s bill by December 25.
• Last day to enroll for 2016 coverage (absent a life change event): January 31, 2016.

Medicaid and CHP+ are open to qualifying individuals year-round.

About Connect for Health Colorado
Connect for Health Colorado is a public, non-profit entity established in law 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 apply for tax credits to help make their insurance more affordable. Customers can shop online; get help by phone or chat from expert Customer Service Center representatives; and find in-person assistance from certified brokers and agents, community based certified Health Coverage Guides or Certified Application Counselors. In 2015, the Marketplace enrolled more than 150,000 Coloradans in private insurance and helped nearly 100,000 gain access to new tax credits that made their health coverage more affordable – all while keeping fees among the lowest in the country. For more information: www.ConnectforHealthCO.com.

About the Colorado Department of Health Care Policy and Financing: The Department administers the Medicaid and Child Health Plan Plus programs as well as a variety of other programs for low-income Coloradans who qualify. For more information about the department, please visit Colorado.gov/hcpf.

December, 22, 2015

Contact: Luke Clarke 720-496-2545

DENVER – Connect for Health Colorado® has announced a second extension – to midnight Saturday, Dec. 26 – of the deadline to enroll in health insurance coverage beginning January 1, after seeing a large number of last minute enrollments and a heavy snowstorm on the original deadline.

That means Coloradans can still get coverage through the state health insurance Marketplace for all of 2016 if they act by Saturday. More than 116,000 Coloradans had enrolled in 2016 coverage by the original Dec. 15 deadline, when the first extension was put in place. But demand remains high and Connect for Health Colorado has decided to institute a second, final extension through the end of the week.

For help enrolling, go to Connectforhealthco.com

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

December 16, 2015

Contacts: Connect for Health Colorado, Luke Clarke, 720-496-2545, [email protected],
Health Care Policy and Financing, Marc Williams, 303-866-3144, [email protected]

DENVER — Between Nov.1 and Dec. 15, more than 145,000 Coloradans enrolled in health coverage for 2016, either in private health insurance purchased through the state health insurance Marketplace or in Medicaid, or Child Health Plan Plus (CHP+), according to new data released today by Connect for Health Colorado® and the Colorado Department of Health Care Policy and Financing.

“We have seen solid gains during the first month and a half of this Open Enrollment,” said Connect for Health Colorado® CEO Kevin Patterson.  “The record number of customers signing up in the last week has led us to extend the deadline through Thursday to enroll for Jan. 1 coverage. I want to remind everyone who does not have health insurance provided through their employer to enroll now to provide financial security for their family and to avoid a penalty of nearly $695 or more.”

Open Enrollment began November 1. Since then, 116,394 people enrolled in private health care coverage through Connect for Health Colorado®. Due to the heavy volume of customers enrolling and inclement weather on Dec. 15, Connect for Health Colorado is extending the deadline to Thursday, Dec. 17, to enroll in coverage effective Jan. 1.

In addition, the coverage gains include 27,341 in Medicaid and 1,448 in CHP+.

“Today’s enrollment numbers demonstrate that Coloradans recognize the importance and value of having health coverage,” said Sue Birch, MBA, BSN, RN,  executive director, Department of Health Care Policy and Financing. “We encourage our members to utilize the preventive services covered by Medicaid to ensure a healthy holiday season and throughout the new year.”

Nov. 1-Dec. 15

2016 Coverage	Total	Medicaid	CHP+	Connect for Health Colorado (private health insurance)
Coloradans enrolled	145,183	27,341	1,448	116,394

 

 Key dates and deadlines for individuals and families buying private coverage

• Open Enrollment: November 1, 2015 – January 31, 2016.
  • You cannot purchase health insurance after this period unless you have a qualifying life-change event, such as marriage, divorce, having a child, losing your employer-sponsored insurance, or moving to Colorado.
• Last day to enroll for coverage beginning January 1, 2016, is December 15, 2015. You must pay your first-month’s bill by December 25.
• Last day to enroll for 2016 coverage (absent a life change event): January 31, 2016.

Medicaid and CHP+ are open to qualifying individuals year-round.

About Connect for Health Colorado
Connect for Health Colorado is a public, non-profit entity established in law 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 apply for tax credits to help make their insurance more affordable. Customers can shop online; get help by phone or chat from expert Customer Service Center representatives; and find in-person assistance from certified brokers and agents, community based certified Health Coverage Guides or Certified Application Counselors. In 2015, the Marketplace enrolled more than 150,000 Coloradans in private insurance and helped nearly 100,000 gain access to new tax credits that made their health coverage more affordable – all while keeping fees among the lowest in the country. For more information: www.connectforhealthco.com

About the Colorado Department of Health Care Policy and Financing: The Department administers the Medicaid and Child Health Plan Plus programs as well as a variety of other programs for low-income Coloradans who qualify. For more information about the department, please visit Colorado.gov/hcpf.