The dust has mostly settled form the first open enrollment period for individual/family plans under the Affordable Care Act (ACA). Thank you for your recent visit to our health insurance website. If you find yourself without insurance or with a deductible that would be very hard to come up with, here are some ideas for three typical situations:

1.)  You experienced a life change event qualifying you for a special enrollment period

You may be eligible for a special enrollment period to get 2014 coverage if any of these apply to you:

• You lost a plan that provided minimum essential coverage (MEC), including a loss of Medicaid coverage due to an increase in your income.
• You lose employer-sponsored coverage or it becomes unaffordable as defined by the law.
• You turn 27 and are no longer eligible to be on your parents’ insurance plan
• You gain Citizenship or Immigration status
• You move to Colorado, or out of your plan’s service area
• Your family situation changes (marriage, divorce, birth or adoption, death)
• You have a gain or loss of eligibility for the tax credit or cost sharing reduction

2.) You missed the deadline to get insurance, but don’t qualify for a special enrollment period.
If you do not qualify for a special enrollment period, there are some things you can do to lessen your risks:

• Accident Insurance to cover out of pocket medical costs arising from some accidental injury
• Critical Illness insurance to provide cash for expenses if you are diagnosed with a critical illness
• Disability Insurance to provide cash in case you cannot work.
• Dental or Vision insurance
• Fixed Benefit plans that provide a flat amount for various types of medical services.

Colorado Health Brokers can help you navigate any of these situations. Please email or call if you would like to see whether you can benefit from any of these options, or have any questions about health and related insurance.