Kaiser Permanente - Colorado Bridge Program Closure

“Effective June 15, 2015 Colorado Bridge is closed to new applicants: Kaiser Permanente’s Colorado Bridge Program is a charitable health coverage program. This program is for low income individuals and families who do not have access to any other coverage and meet program eligibility requirements. Colorado Bridge provides a KP premium subsidy and medical financial assistance to support cost sharing, and enrollment in an off exchange Kaiser Permanente Individual and Family Plan.

Colorado Bridge Program Closure: Kaiser Permanente Colorado will be re-evaluating the Colorado Bridge program design and is closed indefinitely to new applicants in all Kaiser Permanente Colorado service areas.  Current Colorado Bridge members that continue to meet program eligibility requirements will receive 2016 recertification information.

Applications for the Colorado Bridge Program have been removed from the FindYourPlan.org website and only applications received by June 15, 2015 will be processed.  Please recycle any existing Colorado Bridge Program flyers and applications your organization may have.  You will receive a Kaiser Permanente update when the Charitable Health Coverage program is accepting new applications.

Questions & Answers:

1. Why is the Colorado Bridge Program closed to new applicants? The program is closed while Kaiser Permanente Colorado re-evaluates the program design with the goal of serving more members. 
2. How long will the Colorado Bridge Program be closed? The Colorado Bridge Program is closed indefinitely. 
3. Is the Colorado Bridge Program closed until open enrollment? No, the program is closed year round, including 2015 open enrollment. We will continue to evaluate the program for consideration in the future. 
4. Can applicants with a Special Enrollment Period (SEP) still apply? No, there is no SEP available while the program is closed and Kaiser Permanente re-evaluates the program design. 
5. Will applicants who apply for Colorado Bridge be informed the program is closed? Yes, applicants that apply while the program is closed will receive a denial letter informing them that the program is closed to new applicants. 
6. Will this affect existing members? No, this will not have an impact on members currently enrolled in the Colorado Bridge Program who continue to meet program eligibility criteria. 
7. Will existing members be eligible for a subsidy recertification? Yes, existing members will receive recertification information in the mail and provided an opportunity for a KP premium subsidy recertification if they continue to meet eligibility criteria. 
8. Can dependents be added to an existing Colorado Bridge plan? Yes, dependents may be added to an existing plan as long as the dependent meet program eligibility requirements. 
9. What if an existing member no longer meet eligibility criteria? When members no longer meet eligibility requirements, they will receive a letter explaining that they are no longer eligible for the program and will lose the Kaiser Permanente subsidy and medical financial assistance. However, enrollment in (insert name of plan) will continue but the member will be responsible for the full cost of their health plan premium and any out-of pocket expenses they incur. 
10. If existing members lose coverage will they be reinstated or given the opportunity to re-apply? No, members that have lost coverage for failure to pay premiums or otherwise will not be reinstated nor given an opportunity to re-apply.

Please contact Medicaid and Charitable Programs Outreach & Retention Specialist, Tonya Bruno, at tonya.x.bruno@kp.org or 303-344-7642 if you need additional information or have additional questions." [Source: Kaiser Permanente]