It was in early 2021 that Congressional Democrats passed & President Biden signed the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA), which among other things dramatically expanded & enhanced the original premium subsidy formula of the Affordable Care Act, finally bringing the financial aid sliding income scale up to the level it should have been in the first place over a decade earlier.
In addition to beefing up the subsidies along the entire 100 - 400% Federal Poverty Level (FPL) income scale, the ARPA also eliminated the much-maligned "Subsidy Cliff" at 400% FPL, wherein a household earning even $1 more than that had all premium subsidies cut off immediately, requiring middle-class families to pay full price for individual market health insurance policies.
Here's what the original ACA premium subsidy formula looked like compared to the current, enhanced subsidy formula:
Denver, Colo.– Connect for Health Colorado, the state’s official health insurance marketplace, is celebrating a record-breaking open enrollment period, with 256,051 Coloradans enrolled in health coverage that begins Jan. 1.
To date, the number of Coloradans who enrolled in health insurance plans for plan year 2025 is more than the total number of people (237,107) who enrolled through Connect for Health Colorado last year.
The official total I was sent is 256,051 Qualified Health Plan (QHP) selections to date, which is 21% more than C4HCO had at the same point last year and 8% higher than last year's final Open Enrollment Period tally.
After an eventful month and a half, I’m impressed with Connect for Health Colorado’s growth. We’re seeing about 20 percent more health insurance enrollments over this time last year, an increase made even more impressive considering the enrollment record we achieved last year. I’m thankful to see that enrollments are outpacing previous years, as we announced last week on Get Covered Day, Dec. 5th.
My greatest thanks goes to you, our valued stakeholders, who diligently work to increase access, affordability, and choice for health care coverage in Colorado. As we face a new year of discussions about it all, real Coloradans are still able to afford to cover themselves and their families thanks to your hard work.
Connect for Health Colorado’s Statement Regarding a Federal Court’s Dec. 9 Decision in Kansas v. United States of America
Denver, Colo. – Kevin Patterson, chief executive officer of Connect for Health Colorado, released the following statement regarding a federal court’s Dec. 9 decision regarding Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) recipients’ ability to enroll in a qualified health plan through the health insurance marketplace.
“The state of Colorado is not affected by a federal court’s Dec. 9 decision in Kansas v. United States of America,” said Kevin Patterson, chief executive officer of Connect for Health Colorado, the state’s official health insurance marketplace. “For plan year 2025, DACA recipients in Colorado can still enroll in health insurance, and may still qualify for financial assistance for health coverage. We will continue to monitor developments and stay in touch with our partners and enrollees as needed.”
Denver, Colo. – Connect for Health Colorado, the state’s official health insurance marketplace, is reminding Coloradans that Dec. 15 is the deadline to enroll in health coverage that starts Jan. 1, 2025.
With the Dec. 15 deadline fast approaching, customers are encouraged to begin the application process today to explore available health insurance plan options and financial assistance, and to avoid a lapse in coverage.
“Connect for Health Colorado is here to help Coloradans enroll in high-quality, affordable health insurance for 2025, so don’t wait – get started today,” said Kevin Patterson, Chief Executive Officer of Connect for Health Colorado.
With enhanced federal tax credits still in effect for 2025, Coloradans can expect a high level of financial support, with 81% of customers qualifying for help. Three out of five Coloradans are expected to find a plan for $10 or less a month. Additionally, people who are re-enrolling may find more affordable health insurance if they shop and change plans.
Connect for Health Colorado Announces ‘Extraordinary’ Number of People Enrolling in Health Insurance for Plan Year 2025
Enrollment is outpacing previous years, and Dec. 15 is the deadline to sign up for coverage that begins Jan. 1, 2025.
Denver, Colo.– Today is Get Covered Colorado Day, a day of action designed to encourage as many Coloradans as possible to enroll in 2025 health insurance during Connect for Health Colorado's annual open enrollment period.
According to Connect for Health Colorado, the state’s official health insurance marketplace, enrollment for plan year 2025 is fast outpacing previous years. Since Nov. 1st, 221,443 residents have enrolled in a health insurance plan. That’s 23% more enrollments than roughly the same time period last year.
I want to acknowledge the questions about the future of health policy since Tuesday’s election.
We’ve successfully navigated periods of uncertainty like this several times in the past, including eight years ago, and we didn’t do it alone. You, our customers, stakeholders, and partners, make it possible to move forward together.
There are several things that we know.
The Affordable Care Act is still the law of the land.
Senate Bill 11-200, the state law that created Connect for Health Colorado, is still the law of the state. There are several other important state laws that ensure quality, affordable, and comprehensive health coverage for Coloradans.
There are significant savings available to customers who enroll through the Marketplace for Plan Year 2025.
Polis-Primavera Administration’s Landmark Reinsurance Effort Will Save Coloradans $493 Million on Healthcare Premiums in 2025, Putting Money Back in the Pockets of Hardworking Coloradans
Even more savings can be found by shopping and switching to a Colorado Option plan during open enrollment
DENVER - Today Governor Polis, Lt. Governor Primavera, and the Colorado Division of Insurance (DOI), part of the Department of Regulatory Agencies (DORA), announced that Reinsurance will save Coloradans almost $493 million on approved plans and premiums for 2025, building on the millions in savings available to Coloradans through Colorado Option plans. The figures below on the final, approved health insurance plans and premiums for 2025, highlight the impact of these efforts to save people money on health insurance.
First, I want to apologize to all of my regular visitors for the 2-week gap in posting; a combination of personal committments and unjustified distractions resulted in my not posting any updates for a longer-than-acceptable period of time. I hope to try and make up for that over the next week or so.
The Colorado Division of Insurance (DOI) has completed its initial review of the health insurance plans that the companies have filed for 2025. The information below highlights the key information about the number of companies, plans and the premium changes the companies are requesting.
On July 25, 2024, the DOI will hold a virtual stakeholder meeting from 9:30-11:30 a.m. MDT, to share preliminary information regarding health insurance for 2025. This meeting will focus on highlights and trends the DOI has identified in its initial review of the information Colorado health insurers have submitted for 2025. People interested in attending this July 25 stakeholder meeting should register (via Zoom) using the following link - Register for July 25 Stakeholder Meeting(opens in new window).
DENVER – Last Thursday, Connect for Health Colorado’s Board of Directors took a support position on House Bill 24-1258 Credit Covered Person Expenses Insurer Insolvency. This bill will require a covered individual’s new health insurance company to credit out-of-pocket expenses paid if their current health insurance company leaves the market mid-plan year and can no longer provide coverage. This bill also provides methods for health insurance companies to recoup any expenses and increase in claims liability because of crediting out-of-pocket expenses. Connect for Health Colorado has released the following statement:
