Save The Date: Building Better Health 2016

The only in-person training opportunity comprehensive health insurance outreach and enrollment training.

Building Better Health 2016: Roadmap to Health

Oct. 13-14, 2016
Crowne Plaza DIA
15500 E 40th Ave, Denver, CO 80239

[Source: Connect for Health Colorado]

Connect for Health Colorado Updates

• “Our third Open Enrollment Period is over and your work in helping us enroll a record number of Coloradans did not go unnoticed. Our Tuesday press release on the 153,583 total covered lives (by midnight Sunday) was widely reported in social and traditional media.
• Enrollments continue for folks who started the application process during open enrollment but were unable to get a financial eligibility determination by midnight Sunday. Those customers should complete their enrollment even though open enrollment has ended. A financial eligibility determination may take several days to a week to complete. Rest assured we will work with our customers to ensure they have health insurance coverage starting March 1. The same is true for customers who had a ticket opened by the Service Center that was unresolved by midnight Sunday (Jan. 31).
• And don’t forget the Special Enrollment Period available to 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. They will be permitted to enroll in new coverage through Feb. 29.” [Source: Connect for Health Colorado]

Connect for Health Colorado Updates

• “We presented our annual report to the Joint Health and Human Services Committee of the state Legislature on Thursday. The calendar year report comes in the middle of our open enrollment period so we plan another next month that will capture all of this open enrollment period. In the meantime, you might want to see how we fared in 2015. All our annual reports are available online.
• Enrollment in health plans for 2016 went past 139,000 by January 15 and dental plan enrollments exceeded 23,000. Those totals are well above where we were on the same date last year and we put the information out in press releases this week.
• We are about to mail thousands of Form 1095-As to our customers to assist them with their taxes. The form is needed to verify coverage and to reconcile tax credits for customers who got them. What’s new this year is households with a member on Medicaid or CHP+ will get Form 1095-B. So will those covered by Medicare,Tricare or any other public program other than Connect for Health Colorado. Those with employer-sponsored coverage will get Form 1095-C. Many households, depending on their coverage, will receive multiple forms. Advise them to keep all of them. Our customers will be mailed forms by January 31 and electronic copies will be available in the My Documents portion of their online accounts.” [Source: Connect for Health Colorado]

Connect for Health Colorado Updates

• “Our enrollment was at 132,263 when the clock struck midnight and 2015 came to an end, which is a 16% increase from last year. We reported our numbers along with Medicaid enrollments in a press release Tuesday.
• We are redoubling efforts to enroll 2015 members of the Colorado HealthOP, as more than half of them have not yet made a 2016 plan selection. They have a special enrollment period running through February 29. So do members of Access Health Colorado and some members of Rocky Mountain Health Plans who are not within RMHP’s redrawn service area. The 60-day special enrollment period runs from December 31, the end of their former coverage.
• Colorado Consumer Health Initiative and Enroll America developed a new website that is the state’s one-stop-stop for health insurance literacy resources. 
• A recently released Kaiser Family Foundation/New York Times survey provides an in-depth look at the experiences of Americans ages 18-64 who say they or someone in their household had problems paying medical bills in the past year. The survey explores the causes of medical bill problems and the impacts they have on individuals and their families, finances, and access to health care.” [Source: Connect for Health Colorado]

Connect for Health Colorado Updates - enrollment period extensions

• “Even with fewer customers able to auto-renew for 2016, our enrollment numbers – 116,394–  are ahead of where they were last year – 113,415 – after the Dec. 15 deadline for January coverage. We are excited by the number of new customers – 34% of enrollments. We put out a press release Wednesday and gave more detail to our board in a presentation Thursday.
• Colorado HealthOp and Access Health Colorado customers, along with some customers of Rocky Mountain Health Plans, have been granted an extension of the enrollment period, also known as a “Special Enrollment” period, allowing more time to enroll for coverage effective Jan. 1. Customers now have until Dec. 31 to enroll for Jan. 1, 2016 insurance. In addition, customers of Rocky Mountain Health Plans that no longer have access to plans in their area from this carrier, also are eligible for this enrollment extension.
• Connect for Health Colorado has announced a second extension – to midnight Saturday, Dec. 26 – of the deadline to enroll in health insurance coverage beginning Jan. 1, after seeing a large volume of last minute enrollments and a heavy snowstorm on the original deadline. That means Coloradans can still get coverage for all of 2016 if they act now. The Customer Service Center will be open from 7 a.m. - 8 p.m. on Tuesday and Wednesday, from 7 a.m. - 4 p.m. Thursday (Christmas Eve), closed Friday for Christmas and open from 7 a.m. - 8 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 26.
• Surprising findings in a new study on the cost of healthcare come from a look at Colorado. The study, reported in the New York Times, challenges the assumption that areas where Medicare costs are low also have low costs for private health plans. The opposite is true in many areas, including Grand Junction. Denver stands out as one of the few areas where both Medicare and private healthcare costs are moderate, according to the Times.” [Source: Connect for Health Colorado]

Connect for Health Colorado Updates – extension of enrollment periods

• “Colorado HealthOp and Colorado Access customers, along with some customers of Rocky Mountain Health Plans (those who no longer have access to plans in their area), have been granted an extension of the enrollment period, or Special Enrollment period, allowing more time to enroll for coverage effective Jan. 1. These customers have until Dec. 31, 2015 to enroll for January 1, 2016 insurance.
• To support the needs of all our customers we are expanding the Customer Service Center hours to:  7 a.m. -10 p.m. Sunday; 7 a.m. - 10 p.m. Monday; and 7 a.m. to midnight Tuesday.
• The penalty for not having coverage will be going up again next year and it is approaching the cost of buying insurance, for some. A new study by the Kaiser Family Foundation calculated the average household tax penalty in 2016 will be nearly $1,000.” [Source: Connect for Health Colorado]

Connect for Health Colorado Updates

• “The deadline to have coverage in place Jan. 1 is 11 days away and the call volume is going up at our Customer Service Center. Keep in mind that if you call between 7 am and 9 am your wait time will be shorter. The time to avoid is late morning and early afternoon, when the number of incoming calls tends to peak.
• We are extending Customer Service Center hours in anticipation. The center will be open: Sunday, Dec. 13, 7 am to 8 pm; Monday, Dec. 14, 7 am to 10 pm and Tuesday, Dec. 15, from 7 am to midnight.
• A reminder: Last month the state Insurance Commissioner determined it would be in the best interest of Colorado HealthOP small business customers to move to new coverage by Jan. 1 as the HealthOP winds down. The reasoning and details are explained in this letter.
• Two years into healthcare reform memories are fading on what the health insurance market looked like before the legislation passed. The Kaiser Family Foundation provides some perspective on the change the law brought with some historic context in this white paper.” [Source: Connect for Health Colorado]

Connect for Health Colorado Updates - new tools available

• "More than 2,325 appointments have been made through the Connector, the Enroll-America-developed tool that lets anyone make their own appointment at a Community-Based Assistance site. And more than 2,100 people have submitted contact information to our broker lead generator so that they will be contacted by a broker to assist with enrollment.
• With open enrollment underway, it’s critical that consumers are aware of the impact that health coverage can have on their lives. The Colorado Consumer Health Initiative CCHI has created Care Matters, Colorado, a series that combines stories of real Coloradans getting covered with interactive graphics.
• Families whose children receive social security benefits, including Social Security disability income, survivors’ benefits, or retirement income and who applied for health coverage assistance before March 1, 2015, and were rejected — should reapply now. They may qualify for Medicaid or Child Health Plan Plus (CHP+) or for financial assistance through us. Read this notice.
• To find in-person help at an assistance site, including Certified Application Councelors (CACs), Health Coverage Guides (HCGs), and certified broker you can: schedule an appointment online; find a certified assister by county; visit a walk-in enrollment center; have a broker contact a clinent.
• Current Connect for Health Colorado customers will soon receive notices outlining their 2016 coverage renewal options. Customers may be eligible for auto-renewal if: their plan is being offered in 2016; their address, household income, and household size has not changed; and they want to keep the same plan. To auto-renew coverage, customers need to make their first 2016 premium payment by Dec. 25, 2015, for coverage to start on Jan. 1, 2016.
 " [Source: Connect for Health Colorado]

CDPHE policy for providing information about Medicaid or Connect for Health Colorado

“Please see the memo creating a standard policy that all Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) contractors that provide direct clinical services provide Colorado Medicaid and Connect for Health Colorado information to clients presenting for services at their agencies.” [Source: CDPHE]

Connect for Health Colorado Updates – open enrollment and health insurance literacy resources

• “Open Enrollment got off to a smooth start. Hope you have seen the new look and feel of our website. Research and users were telling us a page more oriented to tasks – “Compare Plans, Renew for 2016, etc. -- would improve the user experience. If you haven’t already, check it out now.
• In health insurance, we speak a language a lot of people don’t understand. It puts off consumers and can be confusing. We have a series of plain language videos with some very young experts that we hope will help you in your conversations with healthcare consumers. Find them here.
• The Colorado Health Foundation has updated some resources from the Building Better Health conference and posted the full collection on their website.” [Source: Connect for Health Colorado]

Connect for Health Colorado Updates – Open Enrollment is here

• “Open Enrollment is finally here and we’re ready to enroll. We’ve got some exciting new tools, including a tool to schedule an appointment with a Health Coverage Guide online. Check it out.
• The legislative committee who oversees us voted unanimously this week to approve Kevin Patterson as the permanent Chief Executive Officer, making final the action earlier this month by our Board of directors. Read more.
• The Colorado HealthOP’s departure from the 2016 Marketplace affects a large number of our customers. We are contacting all of them by email and by telephone to help them with their 2016 enrollment. There’s no reason for anyone to wait now. There are 188 individual plans from eight carriers offered through us for next year, up from 176. Start shopping here.
• Who still doesn’t have health insurance? The New York Times has teamed up with Enroll America and Civis to map who has health insurance and who doesn’t on a national basis. Colorado looks better than most states. Have a look.” [Source: Connect for Health Colorado]

Connect for Health Colorado Updates - DOI approves 2016 health insurance plans

• “The Colorado Division of Insurance announced approval of 2016 health insurance plans and rates. Increases in premiums average just under 10 percent for individual plans and a little more than 3 percent for small group. Of course, there are significant variations by area within the state. Read more.
• You can compare 2016 plans and premiums available to you, or someone you are helping, on our website right now. Because 2015 plans are still available for people who experience a Life Change Event, both plan years are available. Make sure you are looking under the correct effective date when you start shopping. Open Enrollment runs from November 1 through January 31.
• The Colorado HealthOP will not be offering coverage next year but individual members remain covered through the end of the year, as long as they continue paying premiums. Small business coverage ends on the renewal date. There have been media reports that some of the company’s network providers have declined to offer care to members. Colorado HealthOP provides guidance for that and other issues in an FAQ. Additional guidance is available in an FAQ put out by the Colorado Division of Insurance.” [Source: Connect for Health Colorado]

Stakeholder Meetings Scheduled to Discuss Annualized Income Policy Proposals for Medicaid and CHP+

“The Department of Health Care Policy and Financing and Connect for Health Colorado are holding stakeholder meetings to discuss policy proposals to use annualized income for some Medicaid and CHP+ eligibility determinations. The next meeting will be held on Nov. 5 from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. In-person attendance is strongly encouraged. During the meetings, HCPF and Connect for Health Colorado will:

• Provide an overview of annualized income policy proposals;
• Review the process and timeline for adoption of an annualized income policy; and
• Solicit stakeholder feedback on scenarios potentially impacted by this policy change.

The meeting will be held at the HCPF offices at 303 E. 17th Ave., Denver, CO 80203 in the 11th Floor Conference Room, 11D. RSVP to Leanna Quintana at leanna.quintana@state.co.us by close of business Nov. 3 for the Nov. 5 meeting. The agenda, materials, and call-in information will be sent to those who RSVP.” [Source: HCPF]

   

Connect for Health Colorado Assistance Network Sites Announced

“In 2013, Connect for Health Colorado created the Assistance Network with federal funding under the Affordable Care Act (ACA) and funding from the Colorado Health Foundation. The Assistance Network funded Health Coverage Guides (HCGs) to provide marketplace related outreach, education, and enrollment assistance at Assistance Sites across the state. As of July 1, 2015, federal funding for state-based marketplace assistance programs ended. As a result, the Assistance Network’s funding was reduced to $3 million from $16.5 million.

The Assistance Network now comprises of 27 organizations and approximately 74 HCGs. In addition, 124 Certified Application Counselor (CACs) organizations with approximately 296 CACs throughout the state are also available to provide marketplace related enrollment assistance. To see how funding was distributed regionally and for a list of CAC organizations, click here. See a complete list of funded Assistance Sites here.

The CAC Program is an unfunded initiative that establishes designated organizations as Connect for Health Colorado certified partners that help clients with enrolling in subsidized private insurance through the marketplace. Organizations interested in becoming a CAC site should contact CACprogram@connectforhealthco.com.” [Source: Connect for Health Colorado]

Connect for Health Colorado Updates

• “It’s less than two weeks out but you can still register for the Building Better Health Conference Sept. 28 and 29 at the Crown Plaza DIA (same location as last year). This is crucial for anyone working to help Coloradans get the right health insurance coverage and stay covered. We'll be presenting lots of material, including the new marketing collateral mentioned above.
• Our board policy committee meets Monday afternoon to talk about our approach to the public policy conversation and some related topics. For more information, including how to join, click here.
• The Outreach & Communications Advisory Group would like to invite new members to join. This Advisory Group provides feedback to C4HCO on marketing and outreach plans and strategies, and is a forum for discussing outreach and enrollment successes and challenges. The primary goal of this group is to ensure that C4HCO's marketing, outreach, and messaging activities are as robust as possible. If you'd like to join the group, please email outreach@Connectforhealthco.com with your contact information and affiliation.” [Source: Connect for Health Colorado]

Connect for Health Colorado accepting applications for Certified Application Counselor Program

“Connect for Health Colorado is accepting applications for its Certified Application Counselor (CAC) program on an ongoing basis. The CAC Program is an unfunded initiative that establishes designated organizations as Connect for Health Colorado certified partners that help clients with enrolling in subsidized private insurance through the marketplace. For additional information, please contact Kevin Finder, CAC Program Coordinator, at (720) 496-2547 or CACprogram@connectforhealthco.com.” [Source: Connect for Health Colorado]

Connect for Health Colorado updates - CAC Program application open

• “Connect for Health Colorado is accepting applications for its Certified Application Counselor (CAC) program on an ongoing basis. The CAC Program is an unfunded initiative that establishes designated organizations as Connect for Health Colorado certified partners that help clients with enrolling in subsidized private insurance through the marketplace. For additional information, please contact Kevin Finder, CAC Program Coordinator, at (720) 496-2547 or CACprogram@connectforhealthco.com.
• Anyone who received advance payments of the premium tax credit in 2014 and missed the April 15 deadline or received an extension to file a tax, should file their return as soon as possible this summer to ensure they can receive advance payments next year. Waiting until the IRS deadline for an extension could complicate their renewal. Anyone who does not file a 2014 tax return: will not be eligible for advance payments of the premium tax credit or cost-sharing reductions in 2016, will be responsible for the full cost of their premium and covered services in 2016 and may be asked by the IRS to pay back some or all of the 2014 advance payments. More information here.
• The IRS reported this year that 7.5 million tax filers have paid the penalty for not having coverage in 2014. The average amount was $200, according to Kaiser Health News.
• The merger of two major health insurers, both active in the Colorado market, is making headlines nationwide. The Denver Business Journal has a look from the Colorado angle.” [Source: Connect for Health Colorado]

Connect for Health Colorado updates

• “Mark your calendar for this year's Building Better Health conference, the statewide health coverage open enrollment kick-off event, hosted again by the Colorado Health Foundation in partnership with Connect for Health Colorado, the Colorado Consumer Health Initiative, the Colorado Department of Health Care Policy and Financing, the Colorado Division of Insurance, and PEAK Outreach. In addition to providing training on the health coverage application process and Marketplace plan selection, attendees will have access to the latest uninsured data and coverage resources, with time to network with other health coverage guides, assistance site navigators, certified application counselors, brokers, community-based organizations and advocates. The details: September 28 - 29, 2015, Crowne Plaza DIA, 15500 E. 40th Avenue, Denver, CO 80239. More details will be available later this month at www.coloradohealth.org.
• More confirmation today that the rate of uninsured in the U.S. continues to decline. The uninsured rate among U.S. adults aged 18 and older was 11.4% in the second quarter of 2015, down from 11.9% in the first quarter. This is the lowest rate of uninsured since Gallup and Healthways began tracking in 2008. Read more.” [Source: Connect for Health Colorado]

Connect for Health Colorado Updates

• “It’s been a big week for healthcare reform. There was a great deal of relief Thursday with the Supreme Court’s announcement of the King v. Burwell decision. Local media, including Colorado Public Radio,  explained what it means and doesn’t mean in Colorado. Many accounts included a statement from Kevin Patterson, our interim CEO.
• That show stopper came a few days after the release of the National Health Interview Survey. It found that the share of poor Americans who were uninsured declined substantially in 2014. The report found an increasing percentage of the population covered by Marketplace plans. For New York Times coverage, click here.
• Narrow networks are never far from the conversation on affordable coverage. The Colorado Health Institute published a paper this week on network adequacy and the public policy questions around the issue. Read it here.
• The Kaiser Family Foundation put together thoughtful analysis of marketplaces and Medicaid expansion in five states, including Colorado, in this report.” [Source: Connect for Health Colorado]

Connect for Health Colorado Updates

• “The Legislative Health Benefit Exchange Implementation Review Committee invited some of our key stakeholders to testify. They provided legislators some important insight in the hour long meeting. A recording is available online. Click here.
• Another report this week from Gallup-Healthways brought more good news. The uninsured rate among adults declined to 11.9% for the first quarter of 2015 -- down a percentage point from the previous quarter and 5.2 points since the end of 2013, just before the Affordable Care Act went into effect. Read more.” [Source: Connect for Health Colorado]