Health Insurance Options and Coverage in Boulder, Colorado
WHY DID PEOPLE ENROLL IN OBAMACARE?
Amid the discussions of number of people who enrolled or didn’t enroll during the first open enrollment period, I remained curious about why some people enrolled and others did not. Helpfully, the organization Enroll America (EA), did a study on that http://www.enrollamerica.org/resources/public-education/why-did-some-people-enroll-and-not-others/
Some of EA’s findings seem obvious:
“There was a high demand for health insurance during the Affordable Care Act’s first open enrollment period. Those who enrolled were willing to put time and effort into the process.”
“Those who enrolled had more information. For example, the newly enrolled were more than twice as likely to know about the availability of financial help to low and moderate-income people as those who did not enroll (56% vs. 26%).”
Others are instructive. For example: “As many as 40% indicate they might not have enrolled without the mandate… Young adults were more motivated by the fine than others.” Many have suggested the mandate is not really important relative to the basic desire for insurance. I think this indicates that people generally agree with the mandate and want to support it.
Still other findings of the EA study are encouraging:
“Three-quarters (74%) of the newly enrolled feel confident they can afford their premiums.”
“Healthy people enrolled. The self-reported health status of those who enrolled and those who did not was similar.”
“Most of those who did not enroll (61%) wanted coverage.”
“The top reason why some people did not even look for coverage was the perception that they could not afford insurance.”
Health insurance premiums—though higher than any of us think they should be— turned out to be affordable for the people who did sign up. In some cases, the affordability included program subsidies. But people are getting insured. And that, after all, is the primary goal of the Affordable Care Act.
- Published in Boulder
DECEMBER 1: TIME TO GET THAT HEALTH INSURANCE YOU’VE BEEN TALKING ABOUT
Since last year, Thanksgiving has a new meaning for people who need health insurance. The time for buying individual and family plans (as opposed to plans through your work) is approaching. If you need to be sure your 2014 insurance is still the best option, or if you are looking for insurance the very first time, the application deadline is very close. Your quickest path to insurance? Call one of our certified brokers to get individualized hands on help at no charge.
DEADLINE: December 15 is the deadline to apply for individual health insurance that begins January 1. Since there are no medical qualifying hoops to jump through any more, you need only apply to get health insurance for yourself and your family. Applications must in no later than Dec. 15 if you want your insurance to begin on January 1.
HOW TO CREATE AN ACCOUNT ON THE COLORADO EXCHANGE: If you want to buy insurance for 2015, it is helpful to have an account on the Connect for Health Colorado (Connect) Marketplace (the state’s health benefit exchange. Click on this link for a guide to doing this: https://www.dropbox.com/s/q3iy9dw8b5df9dl/CreateAccount112814.pdf?dl=0
HOW TO APPLY FOR FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE: Financial assistance with health insurance premiums depends on income level and family size. You may qualify for financial assistance for 2015 if your family income is less than these amounts:
Individual: $46,680
Two People: $62,920
Four People: $95,400
For self-employed people, income is after your business expenses. To create an account on Connect for Health Colorado and see how much assistance you qualify for, click on this link for our easy-to-follow, free guide to doing this: https://www.dropbox.com/s/3bi0fajhm03gnoe/NewCustomerWithFinancial%20Assistance%20app113014.pdf?dl=0
If you want to purchase a plan, but do not qualify or want to apply for financial assistance, use this link for instructions on how to shop for a plan on the Colorado Marketplace: https://www.dropbox.com/s/1t6k83zqlwbheod/NewCustomerNoFA113014.pdf?dl=0
IF YOU HAVE QUESTIONS OR PROBLEMS: If you have technical or computer problems creating an account or completing the financial assistance application, you can call Connect’s Customer Service line at 855-752-6749 for help solving the problem. For questions or issues related to your insurance, rely on your broker.
FINDING THE BEST PLAN: There is no single best health insurance plan. The best plan for each person balances the monthly cost of the insurance, with the health of the person, their preferences for certain doctors, and likely out of pocket costs. My role as a broker is to help compare all available plans to find the one that best meets your needs and requirements. You do not pay anything extra to use a broker.
At Colorado Health Brokers, we all live in Colorado and enjoy helping people find the best possible health insurance plan for their particular situation. I am a broker, also trained and certified to help find financial assistance to help with insurance premiums. There is no charge to you for the help I provide.
Hal Winslow
Colorado Health Brokers
720-323-9747 cell/303-541-9533 ofc