Open Enrollment Information Handout for Clients

The Department has created an information sheet for providers to hand out to clients that explains a little about Open Enrollment and the benefits of being insured. The information sheet has been uploaded onto the Provider Information page on our website. We will briefly discuss this handout at the next Stakeholder Forum on October 27, 2016, but providers are encouraged to begin distributing this information to clients immediately, as Open Enrollment will begin on November 1, 2016.

[Source: HCPF]

Connect for Health Colorado Updates

• “Beginning Monday, November 17th you will be able to shop for your 2015 coverage. Be aware that our shopping portal will be unavailable from noon Saturday until 6 a.m. Monday while we make the transition. But that doesn’t mean you have to wait to see 2015 options. Our Plan Finder remains available. You can use it to look at plans and premiums in your area and also get an estimate of your tax credit.
• If you are renewing, re-enrolling or helping someone do it, you might find this new guide a handy tool to walk through the steps involved.” [Source: Connect for Health Colorado]

Connect for Health Colorado Offers Guidance for Open Enrollment

“Connect for Health Colorado Press Release: Competition in Colorado’s health insurance industry has triggered significant plan and price changes for individuals and families who buy private insurance through Connect for Health Colorado. Coloradans will have more choices in health plans for next year.  And, there are less-expensive options in most areas for 2015.

Because the cost of that Silver-level plan has dropped in almost every region of the state – so will the average financial assistance levels in 2015 for those who qualify. That means many people who stay with their current coverage will see their share of the monthly premium go up.  A change in income or household size will also affect the amount of financial assistance. We suggest that all current customers – especially current customers receiving financial assistance – shop and compare new plans and prices before deciding whether to renew their current plans. There likely are less expensive choices that meet their health and budget needs – often with their same carrier.

Open enrollment will be from November 15, 2014, to February 15, 2015. Whether you are renewing or enrolling for the first time, you must complete enrollment by December 15, 2014, to have coverage January 1, 2015, and avoid a gap in your coverage. Click here for more information from Connect for Health Colorado about what’s changing in 2015 health insurance coverage and what Coloradans need to know.” [Source: Connect for Health Colorado]

Click here to view an article in Health News Colorado about how tax subsidies are declining with the lower costs.

Register now to attend Colorado’s Building Better Health: Enroll 2015

“Join hundreds of health coverage guides, assistance site navigators, certified application counselors, brokers, agents, community-based organizations and health advocates Oct. 14-15, 2014 as we rally together at “Building Better Health: Enroll 2015” – Colorado’s kick-off conference for the 2015 health coverage open enrollment period, beginning November 15th.

Hosted by the Colorado Health Foundation in collaboration with the Colorado Department of Health Care Policy and Financing, the Colorado Division of Insurance and Connect for Health Colorado, this event represents a statewide partnership and commitment to a successful 2015 open enrollment period. Click here for more information and to register.” [Source: TCHF]

HCPF Updates

“New Launch Date for Shared Application Process: In preparation for 2015 open enrollment, HCPF and Connect for Health Colorado will launch a joint application process to improve the consumer experience which relies on complex technology; joining IT systems that have functioned independently until now. These enhancements include:

• A single application to quickly learn if consumers qualify for Medicaid, Child Health Plan Plus (CHP+), or a federal tax credit and/or cost sharing reduction through Connect for Health Colorado.
• Applicants will receive joint letters from HCPF and Connect for Health Colorado explaining what health coverage program they qualify for.
• Aligning account sign-on functionality for Colorado.gov/PEAK and ConnectforHealthCO.com so consumers will only need one login.

Additionally, we are enhancing Colorado’s nationally recognized technology that allows for real-time eligibility determinations. Consumers may be able to find out immediately if they qualify for Medicaid or CHP+. To successfully implement these enhancements, HCPF and Connect for Health Colorado have set a revised go-live date for the shared application and eligibility system. The new launch date will be November 9. 

Training for County Eligibility Workers and Medical Assistance Sites: The Department of Health Care Policy and Financing (HCPF) will be delivering Open Enrollment, SES and Medicaid QA training to County Eligibility Workers and Medical Assistance (MA) Sites through Train-the-Trainer sessions and Regional trainings. In addition, an online training course will be available. Click here for additional information regarding the instructor led and online trainings as well as registration information.

Click here to view the latest issue of HCPF’s ACA Implementation News. [Source: HCPF]

HCPF Updates

“From Coverage to Care Resources: The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) created a series of videos to walk you through the basics of health insurance and health care. The “From Coverage to Care” videos have been added to Colorado.gov/Health. You can watch them in either English or Spanish.

SAVE THE DATE: Colorado Health Foundation 2015 Open Enrollment Kick-Off: The Colorado Health Foundation is hosting a statewide kick-off training event October 14-15 in preparation of the 2015 open enrollment with the Colorado Department of Health Care Policy and Financing, the Colorado Division of Insurance and Connect for Health Colorado. The 2015 open enrollment period is November 15, 2014 – February 15, 2015. The event will bring together health coverage guides, assistance sites, brokers and agents, community-based organizations and advocates for training on the technical aspects of enrollment as well as capacity-building for marketing, messaging and outreach. The event will be held at the Crowne Plaza DIA | 15500 E. 40th Ave. | Denver, CO 80239.” [Source: HCPF]