To Our Valued Stakeholders,

The heat of summer is upon us — I hope you are finding ways to stay cool while staying healthy.

This week, I visited (virtually) with Club 20 members and was thrilled to share recent news from the Division of Insurance that more Coloradans will have a choice in insurance companies during this Open Enrollment Period, as the state has decreased the number of counties with only one issuer from 22 to 10. This is an improvement in choice for many of Colorado’s rural communities.

Getting the word out about Special Enrollment Periods

We know that job loss in Colorado is at an all-time high and with that comes loss of job-based health insurance. To help get the word out about getting covered through Connect for Health Colorado, our Marketing team created an online Job Loss Toolkit for you to use. The toolkit includes electronic versions of a short flyer, our overview brochure (both in English and Spanish), our financial help chart, social media images and copy, and a 10 minute video about health insurance options after job loss. I’d ask that you share the link with your networks as you see fit.

Be well,

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

To Our Valued Stakeholders,

As summer sets in and the heat is rising, I’ve taken a step back to reflect on the how we’ve been forwarding our mission in a new remote world.

We’ve supported the community by sponsoring remote events, such as Denver Pride’s Virtual 5k. Our Assistance Network Team recently completed 17 virtual site visits, with an eye toward how we plan for a more remote Open Enrollment come November. Our Policy Team remained actively involved during the condensed end to our legislative session, which included online submission of our testimony in support of two bills that ultimately passed.

Our staff is spending time considering what the rest of the year’s event itinerary might look like, including how we will run the CoverCo conference and my annual visits across the state. We will update you as these events get closer, and as we develop creative ways to accomplish our work with you remotely.

New Laws Will Forward Our Mission

As I’ve mentioned in my last few posts, we are thrilled that Colorado continues to innovate on solutions to provide Coloradans access to affordable health coverage. I shared my thoughts on two bills that Governor Polis signed into law this week.

We’ve already begun internal conversations on implementation for these two new laws, and we look forward to collaborating with several partners in the weeks and months to come. On that note, our Board of Directors has opened the application process for the Easy Enrollment committee. Please share this application with those who are interested and qualified.

Stay healthy and well, Kevin Patterson, MURP, MPA
Chief Executive Officer
Connect for Health Colorado

To Our Valued Stakeholders,

Colorado policymakers wrapped up an active and unprecedented legislative session earlier this week. Since the session was interrupted because of the COVID-19 outbreak, most of the policy work these last three weeks was focused on the state budget and bills related to the current crisis.

However, Connect for Health Colorado had the opportunity to be involved in two bills that will forward our mission to provide access, affordability and choice for Coloradans purchasing health insurance.

I shared with you previously that House Bill 1236, known as “Easy Enrollment,” will allow Coloradans to mark on their state tax return that they are uninsured and opt-in for their information to be shared with Connect for Health Colorado, so we can see if they qualify for financial help or Health First Colorado (Medicaid).

On the last day of the session on Monday, Senate Bill 215, the Health Insurance Affordability Enterprise, also passed. The bill protects and expands financial help for health coverage, which is in line with our mission to increase access, affordability and choice. I released a statement about what this means for Coloradans, and how we will be involved in removing barriers to access for Coloradans.

The Affordability Enterprise will:

• Fund the reinsurance program.
• Provide financial help to people whose net premium would increase as the individual market price for insurance decreases.
• Set up a fund to provide financial help to people who do not otherwise qualify under Affordable Care Act rules (e.g. households who are not qualified because of the “family glitch”).

We will work with several partners to advise on implementation of both bills.

I’m thrilled that through these unique times, Colorado continues to be an innovator and national leader at finding solutions to our health care needs.

Stay healthy and well,

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

To Our Valued Stakeholders,

Colorado lawmakers went back to work this week. Who knew that we would be talking about the current legislative session in late May? But as you know, the COVID 19 outbreak has changed many things this year.

One bill that our Board of Directors took a support stance on earlier this year has passed its second reading on the Senate floor. House Bill 1236, known as “Easy Enrollment,” would allow Coloradans to mark on their state tax return that they are uninsured and opt-in for their information to be shared with Connect for Health Colorado, so we can see if they qualify for financial help or Health First Colorado (Medicaid). The goal of this bill is to reduce the number of Coloradans who are uninsured, particularly those eligible for financial help. Easy Enrollment would make it easier for Coloradans who have lost employer-sponsored insurance to connect to coverage options on our Marketplace.

We will continue to monitor any health policy bills that could affect our mission.

Helping those who have recently lost job coverage

Thank you for your continued help getting out the message to the many Coloradans who have recently lost their employer health coverage that we are here to help. Most of these folks likely qualify for a Special Enrollment Period and there may be quite a few Coloradans coming to us for the first time. As a reminder, we have certified enrollment experts who are taking virtual appointments and can help get them enrolled.

Stay healthy and well,

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

To Our Valued Stakeholders,

Earlier this week, we announced that 14,263 Coloradans enrolled in health insurance during our COVID Special Enrollment Period.

I never thought we would be announcing a number that high. And for that, I wanted to say thank you. It took our staff — and you — our stakeholders, community partners, advocates, policy makers and the media, to get the word out, and our network of enrollment partners taking virtual and phone appointments, to make it all happen.

I know our work isn’t done in making sure share information about job-loss and loss of income Special Enrollment Periods. As we make the transition from closing out the COVID SEP, we still need your help letting Coloradans in these circumstances know that we are here for them.

By the Numbers Report
At our Board Meeting this week, we shared our By the Numbers report, which gives insight into our seventh Open Enrollment Period. The report highlights data and numbers for the 2020 plan year, including:

• 166,850 Coloradans enrolled for 2020 health coverage during the Open Enrollment period.
• 74 percent of customers qualified for financial help to reduce the monthly cost of health insurance.
• Statewide rates for full price premiums dropped by 20 percent, which lead to an uptick in new enrollments in many rural counties.
• 46 percent of our customers enrolled with the help of a trained and certified Broker,  and another 6 percent enrolled with the help of a community-based Assister.

The new report includes more detailed information about changes to premium costs and financial help by county, the improved customer experience and our outreach tactics. It is a nice wrap-up of our work, which many of you contribute to, so I hope you enjoy reading it.

Stay healthy and well,

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

To Our Valued Stakeholders,

As we enter a new month, it’s a good time to reflect and be reminded of the reason we do this work.

When we opened our COVID Special Enrollment Period on March 20, no one knew how this health crisis would affect Coloradans. We thought a few weeks would be enough to reach out to the uninsured.

Thanks to many of you, and specially our colleagues in Adams County, as the first deadline of April 3 neared, you stressed that we needed more time. So, we extended the deadline, and just closed that COVID Special Enrollment Period yesterday. (We’ll share our final numbers in the coming weeks.)

In this time of a global pandemic, doing things from home, online and over the phone, Connect for Health Colorado staff, our network of certified brokers and assisters and our Customer Service Center reps were able to bring peace of mind to Coloradans who didn’t have health insurance. It also took many of you to help us spread the word far and wide that Coloradans could get enrolled during this time.

Seeing all of us come together to get Coloradans covered is a shared win for the state.

We understand that there will be more Coloradans experiencing a job loss or losing income in the months ahead. We remain ready to help them get covered, and continue to ask that you share the news that they have a 60-day Special Enrollment Period available to them.

In the News
I joined Deidre Johnson from the Center for African American Health in a Facebook Live conversation about our Special Enrollment Period. Denver’s Channel7 also helped us spread the word.

Take care,

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

To Our Valued Stakeholders,

This week, we announced that we’ve enrolled more than 10,000 Coloradans through our COVID Special Enrollment period.

Along with your help, we’ve been working to get the news out about this opportunity to get covered as well as other ways Coloradans may be eligible to enroll now.

We recently shared with our Board of Directors our marketing efforts, including digital and earned media. In addition, our public affairs manager appeared on State Representative Shannon Bird’s virtual town hall/Facebook Live this week.  

I urge you to encourage residents who are uninsured to sign up before the April 30 deadline. With just about a week left in the COVID Special Enrollment period, we know there are more people out there who need coverage and want to make sure those in need can get enrolled.

Our certified enrollment experts are taking phone appointments and our Customer Service Center is available to answer questions.

For those losing job-based coverage, they do have the traditional 60-day window as well. We’ve been added to the Colorado Department of Labor’s new site as a resource for this population.

Stay healthy and well, and thanks again for continuing to let your constituents and communities know that we are here to help.

Take care,

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

To Our Valued Stakeholders,

As we all watch the news and hear about more and more layoffs and the realities of how this COVID-19 pandemic is affecting Coloradans, we announced yesterday that we have extended our COVID Special Enrollment Period to April 30. I heard from many of you that were worried about your neighbors and constituents, and like us, wanted to ensure that Coloradans could have some peace of mind with time to get covered.

This COVID Special Enrollment period is for Coloradans who are currently uninsured or about to lose coverage due to COVID-19. We’ve had more than 5,500 people enroll already, but we know there are more people out there who need coverage.

Please share this information with your network and community: Coloradans who want to sign up for coverage through Connect for Health Colorado can complete an application online and select a health insurance plan through our website at ConnectforHealthCO.com. Our certified brokers, assisters and enrollment centers are all taking phone appointments and our Customer Service Center is available to answer calls. To get help enrolling, point people to our get help page.  

Life Change Events, such as losing job coverage

As always, Coloradans can sign up for a plan any time of the year if they experience other qualifying life change events, including loss of job-based coverage.

Thank you for your help getting the word out and helping keep Colorado covered.

Take care,

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

To Our Valued Stakeholders,

I hope you are all are staying well and staying home! I’m writing a little earlier in the week than usual because I am asking for your help.

As I announced last Friday, we opened up a Special Enrollment period for Coloradans who are currently uninsured or about to lose coverage due to COVID-19. That coverage will start April 1, but Coloradans must enroll by next Friday, April 3 to receive coverage under this COVD-19 rule. Visit our website to learn more.

Although we are generating some interest with nearly 2,000 people enrolling in the first five days, we could use your help spreading the word about this Special Enrollment period to make sure those who aren’t covered can get that April 1 coverage. Please share this information with your network and community, since we don’t have much time left.

Please pass on to your constituents and stakeholders as soon as you can that Coloradans who want to sign up for coverage through Connect for Health Colorado can complete an application online and select a health insurance plan through our website at ConnectforHealthCO.com. Our certified brokers, assisters and enrollment centers are all taking phone appointments and we’ve added Customer Service Center weekend hours during this period. To get help enrolling, point people to our many avenues to get that help.  

Life Change Events, such as losing job coverage

As always, Coloradans can sign up for a plan any time of the year if they experience other qualifying life change events, including loss of job-based coverage. Residents who qualify for Health First Colorado (Medicaid) or the Child Health Plan Plus program can also enroll online through the PEAK application any time during the year.

Thank you for your help getting the word out and helping keep Colorado covered.

In the News

Media outlets have helped us get the word out around the state from Grand Junction to Loveland and Boulder. The Spanish radio talk show “Hablemos Hoy” also featured Connect for Health Colorado to discuss the special enrollment.

Take care,

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

To Our Valued Stakeholders,

As every day seems to bring additional news about COVID-19, we are in uncharted territory. At Connect for Health Colorado, we are ready to do our part to help protect the health and well-being of as many Coloradans as possible, and help further our mission of providing access to health coverage.

We shared late yesterday that we have opened up a two-week Special Enrollment period for Coloradans who are currently uninsured or about to lose coverage due to COVID-19. That coverage would start April 1, 2020. But, Coloradans must enroll by April 3^rd to receive coverage under this COVD-19 rule. Visit our website to learn more.

As always, Coloradans can sign up for a plan if they experience other qualifying life change events, including loss of job-based coverage. Residents who qualify for Health First Colorado (Medicaid) or the Child Health Plan Plus program can also enroll online through the PEAK application any time during the year.

On a personal level, I hope you all continue to take the Colorado Department of Health and Environment guidelines seriously. As challenging as these times are, I have helped set the example for our staff to practice social distancing in order to help slow the spread of the virus and flatten the curve. Connect for Health Colorado staff have been working remotely this week, and they will continue to do so for the upcoming weeks. The decision for us to return to the office will be based on guidance from state and local health authorities.

We will continue to keep in touch as the news unfolds, but until then, thank you for helping us spread the word about the opportunity to enroll. We want Coloradans to rest assured that they have health coverage they need.

Take care,

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