Colorado: Final (almost) OE3 Total: 153.6K QHPs

The last Colorado update, which ran through January 15th, had their numbers at 139,579 private policies (QHPs), 23,017 standalone dental plans, 45,100 in Medicaid and 2,771 in the SCHIP program.

I've just learned that Colorado's final tally as of the January 31st deadline stands at 153,583 QHPs, 25,604 dental, 54,447 Medicaid and 3,549 SCHIP, which means they added just over 14,000 in the final 16 days.

On the one hand, this is a bit disappointing to me, since I was hoping they'd hit around 190,000 QHPs; this is only around 81% of that. On the other hand, their official projection is actually a range between 195K - 227K by the end of June​. This is more significant with Colorado than most other states because CO lost their Co-Op...and CO is also one of only two states (Oregon is the other one) to drop their "transitional" policies as of the end of 2015. As a result, Colorado has a lot of people who could still potentially enroll by the end of February thanks to the 60-day Loss of Coverage Special Enrollment Period provision.

How much of a difference could this make? According to Louise Norris, there were still around 39,000 Co-Op members who hadn't re-enrolled elsewhere as of early January, and an unknown number who were enrolled in plans via Rocky Mountain Health Plans in parts of the state (the carrier pulled out of some areas but not others). Presumably a lot fo these folks did go ahead and sign up over the rest of January, and others went with off-exchange policies, but they could be good for perhaps 10-20K more this month, I'd imagine.

Anyway, chalk up 153.6K for Colorado (which is still 9.4% ahead of last year's 140.3K, for whatever that's worth).

UPDATE: Here's the official press release:

Connect for Health Colorado® and Colorado Medicaid Report Enrollment Gains of More Than 211,000

Posted on Wednesday, February 3, 2016

February 2, 2016

DENVER — Between Nov. 1 and Jan. 31, 211,579 Coloradans enrolled in health coverage for 2016, either in private health insurance purchased through the state health insurance Marketplace or in Medicaid, or Child Health Plan Plus (CHP+), according to new data released today by Connect for Health Colorado® and the Colorado Department of Health Care Policy and Financing.

During the three-month open enrollment period that concluded Sunday, 153,583 people enrolled in private health care coverage through Connect for Health Colorado®. Another 54,447 enrolled in Medicaid and 3,549 in CHP+. Connect for Health Colorado also enrolled 25,604 in dental plans.

“I am pleased that so many Coloradans took the important step of getting health coverage through us,” said Connect for Health Colorado® CEO Kevin Patterson.  “Everyone in our organization – along with the many stakeholders and partners who helped us enroll so many people in our state – can take pride in what they accomplished in the last 90 days on behalf of thousands of Colorado families. Those folks now have more financial security and the ability to get the healthcare they need.”

The Connect for Health Colorado totals compare to 141,639 health plan enrollments in the previous open enrollment period that ended Feb. 15, 2015.

“Once again, Colorado has come together to help our residents find health coverage for themselves and their families,” said Susan E. Birch, MBA, BSN, RN, executive director for the Department of Health Care Policy and Financing. “Should someone lose their health care coverage during the year, Medicaid provides health insurance for low income Coloradans who meet eligibility requirements any time during the year.”

Although open enrollment for this year ended Jan. 31, individuals and families whose health insurance company is no longer offering health plans in their area – or because they had a policy last year that no longer meets the minimum legal requirements – will be permitted to enroll in new coverage through Feb. 29  through a Special Enrollment Period. This includes individuals and families who purchased their 2015 health insurance on or off Connect for Health Colorado’s site.