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

We reported this week that we have seen a 9 percent increase in enrollments so far this Open Enrollment Period. But there is still time to get Coloradans covered.

Our doors remain open through next Friday, Jan. 15. With one week left to get Coloradans covered for this year, we would appreciate your help spreading the word that there is enrollment assistance available through our brokers, assisters and enrollment centers.

Specifically, we are hosting a bilingual virtual event on Saturday:  “We’ve Got You Covered – Communities Coming Together to cope with COVID/ Hoy Por Ti Mañana Por Mi – Colaborando Para Una Comunidad Más Saludable Sin COVID.” We are honored at how many community partners are participating and seeing value in our outreach efforts.

Given the pandemic, we know this year that finances might be tight for people. This is a great time to remind friends and neighbors that financial help may be available and to use our tool to compare plans and prices. We encourage people on the fence about enrolling to remember that essential health benefits are covered with plans purchased on the Marketplace, including emergency services and vaccinations.

In the News

The Denver Gazette shared the news of our enrollment increases so far this period.

Thank you for your help with the last push of this Open Enrollment Period.

This was an important week in our Open Enrollment cycle, as it marks the deadline to enroll for coverage that starts Jan. 1. While this deadline is normally Dec. 15, we extended it through the end of the day today, Friday, Dec. 18. We did so to make sure we give all of our enrollment partners a few extra days due to system issues we experienced, and to help our customers during this challenging year.

But don’t forget that our doors remain open through Jan. 15 for the 2021 plan year if people do miss this first deadline.

As this will be my last note to you all in 2020, I’d like to reflect how much I appreciate your tenacity to keep moving forward in the midst of a pandemic, helping us ensure Coloradans have what I think is so crucial: peace of mind knowing they attained the health coverage they need to protect themselves and their families.

I hope you remain healthy and safe through the holidays, and I will report back to you in the first week of January.

This week, we shared that more than 148,000 had enrolled. We are encouraged by the number of Coloradans covered so far, but we have more work to do to ensure all who need coverage by Jan. 1 enroll soon.

Enrollment partners are again hosting both in-person and virtual enrollment events this weekend. Check out the schedule and share this with those who want help enrolling. Our Customer Service Center has also extended its hours to help answer questions.

Thursday was a big push nationally to encourage enrollments. Here in Colorado Gov. Polis declared Dec. 10 as Get Covered Colorado Day, and we had a flurry of social media engagement with several community leaders helping us get the word out, using the hashtag #GetCovered2021. Thanks to all of you who participated.

Many of you have helped us identify system issues that have slowed enrollment partners and some customers down while enrolling this year. We appreciate your patience, and we are continuing to make improvements based on your feedback. This year was impacted by the pandemic in ways we did not expect, as many of you have also had to balance.

We remain busy tending to our system fixes, reminding people about the financial help and enrollment assistance available to them, and the deadlines to enroll. Thank you for continuing to point people our way to get covered.