Preliminary rates, new enrollment assistance sites, and a change to Open Enrollment dates
Dear Friends and Partners,
Health insurance costs are expected to rise again next year, but Colorado’s innovative state solutions are helping keep coverage within reach.
Last week, the Colorado Division of Insurance released preliminary rates for Plan Year 2027.
Insurance companies serving the individual market have requested an average increase of 11%. These are proposed rates, not final rates, and the division will do an in-depth review of each filing over the coming weeks.
We know any increase makes it harder for our neighbors to balance health coverage costs with other household expenses. The expiration of federal enhanced Premium Tax Credits has made it harder for many to afford health insurance, and it continues to affect individual markets across the country.
Colorado has taken meaningful action to help offset these challenges.
Through Colorado Premium Assistance and the state’s Reinsurance Program, our state is helping reduce costs to keep people insured. Colorado Premium Assistance helped more than 176,000 customers lower their premiums this year, and that support continues for 2027.
These investments have helped Colorado fare better than many other states. Our preliminary rate increase is currently below the median among states that have released proposed rates, and our decline in individual-market enrollment has been less severe than the national trend.
The months ahead will require continued partnership. Together, we will help customers compare their options, qualify for financial help, and choose a plan that meets their needs.
Strengthening Our Enrollment Assistance Network
I’m happy to share that we have selected partners for our three-year enrollment assistance cycle. Our 2027 partner network includes 89 organizations serving customers at 182 physical locations across Colorado.
Along with new Enrollment Center locations, these additions expand access to health insurance literacy and enrollment assistance in communities across Prowers, Eagle, Garfield, Adams, El Paso, Pueblo, Park, Larimer, Delta, and Alamosa counties.
These partners will provide the trusted, local guidance customers need to understand their options, apply for financial help, and enroll in coverage.
Open Enrollment Dates Return to the Traditional Schedule
As many of you know, recent federal developments have restored the traditional Open Enrollment schedule for Plan Year 2027. Open Enrollment will begin Nov. 1, 2026 and end Jan. 15, 2027.
Customers who enroll by Dec. 15 will have coverage beginning Jan. 1. Customers who enroll from Dec. 16 through Jan. 15 will have coverage beginning Feb. 1.
Please be prepared to answer customer questions about these dates and update any websites, flyers, presentations, social media posts, training materials, or other communications that reflected the previously announced Dec. 31 deadline.
We will continue providing resources and information to support your outreach efforts. Providing accurate information early will help customers plan ahead and make informed decisions about their coverage.
Thank you for your continued partnership and your commitment to helping Coloradans get—and stay—covered.
Take care,
Kevin Patterson, MURP, MPA
Chief Executive Officer
Connect for Health Colorado
