Colorado: @C4HCO announces ~4,700 #ACA exchange enrollments in 1st month of #COVID19 SEP

This just in via Connect for Health Colorado:

One Month In, More Than 4,000 Coloradans Sign Up During Exchange's Uninsured Enrollment Period

DENVER – 4,683 previously uninsured Coloradans signed up for a 2021 health insurance plan through Colorado’s Exchange between Monday, February 8 and the end of day Friday, March 5. That’s more than 1,000 new medical enrollments each week during the first month of Colorado’s Uninsured Enrollment Period.

That's an average of 180/day over 26 days for Colorado. I don't know exactly how many Special Enrollment Period (SEP) enrollees they had during the same time period in prior years, but I can estimate based on their monthly dashboards:

• February 2020: CO had 4,009 SEP enrollments from 2/1/20 - 2/29/20, or 138/day.
  • I can't really use March since that overlaps with the beginning of the COVID pandemic, of course.
• February 2019: 2,787 SEP enrollments from 2/1/19 - 2/28/19, or 100/day.
  • March 2019 ran around 92/day. Using 81% February + 19% March = a 2019 avg. of 98/day.
• February 2018: 3,427 SEP enrollments from 2/1/18 - 2/28/19, or 122.day
  • March 2018 ran around 103 per day. Using 81% February + 19% March = a 2018 avg. of 118/day

This works out to around 108/day for the same time period in 2018 & 2019, and 138/day in 2020. That means roughly a 53% SEP increase for a similar time period. This isn't bad, but the data via HC.gov and Health Sherpa suggests that COVID SEP enrollments in most other states are running far higher yet, even other Medicaid expansion states (2.2x or 118% higher). Interesting.

“I’m pleased that people are taking advantage of this time and getting covered,” said Chief Executive Officer Kevin Patterson. “If you’re already insured, but know of a friend, family member or neighbor who needs health insurance and help enrolling, you can refer them to one of our plan experts. We’re here to ensure as many people as possible get the right coverage to protect their health this year.”

A Few Reminders

1. Residents who are currently uninsured and who don’t qualify for Health First Colorado (Medicaid) have until May 15, 2021 to sign up for a health insurance plan during the Uninsured Enrollment Period.

2. Connect for Health Colorado is the only place where eligible Coloradans can get financial assistance to help pay for their health insurance. Nearly 7 in 10 people who apply are qualifying for financial help. Use our Quick Cost & Plan Finder tool to estimate how much financial help you could receive.

3. Free, virtual and in-person help is available from certified enrollment experts and at Enrollment Centers located throughout the state. Visit C4HCO.com/we-can-help to find assistance in your area.

4. You can access a 60-day Special Enrollment Period and enroll in health insurance if you or someone in your household experiences a Qualified Life Event, like losing insurance from a job, getting married, or due to certain family and income changes.