One of the most inane restrictions of the ACA in my view, as I noted in my "If I Ran the Zoo" wish list back in 2017, is that it doesn't allow undocumented immigrants to enroll in ACA marketplace health plans ("Qualified Health Plans" or QHPs).
I don't just mean that they aren't eligible for federal financial subsidies--that's a prohibition which I can at least understand, even if I don't agree with it. I mean that they aren't allowed to enroll in ACA exchange-based QHPs even at full price, as noted in Section 1312(f)(3):
(3) Access limited to lawful residents.--If an individual is not, or is not reasonably expected to be for the entire period for which enrollment is sought, a citizen or national of the United States or an alien lawfully present in the United States, the individual shall not be treated as a qualified individual and may not be covered under a qualified health plan in the individual market that is offered through an Exchange.
Insurance Brokers and Enrollment Assisters Available across Colorado
DENVER— One way the state’s health insurance Marketplace serves Colorado’s health coverage needs is by providing a diverse network of experts who can help residents enroll in the best plan for them – and who can help for free any time of the year.
These experts are Connect for Health Colorado-certified Insurance Brokers and Enrollment Assisters, and they live and work everywhere across the state.
“Our certified experts are a valuable source of support for Coloradans,” said Connect for Health Colorado’s Chief Executive Officer, Kevin Patterson. “But they don’t just provide enrollment services; they offer a continuum of assistance. I encourage anyone who needs health insurance help to use a Connect for Health Colorado Assistance Site. We’re here to help you navigate anything that changes your situation, so that you can stay covered.”
DENVER— Today, President Biden signed the Inflation Reduction Act into law. In addition to tackling issues such as climate change, health care and prescription drug costs, the legislation will extend the expansion of Affordable Care Act marketplace premium tax credits through 2025.
Connect for Health Colorado’s Chief Executive Officer, Kevin Patterson, released the following statement:
New Program Connecting Tax Filers to Health Coverage Ends April 15
DENVER— Colorado’s new Tax Time Enrollment Program that connects uninsured tax filers to health coverage is coming to a close this Friday, April 15. Due to a state law passed in 2020, this tax season was the first in which residents could mark on their Colorado tax form that they were uninsured and interested in getting connected to coverage with Health First Colorado (Colorado’s Medicaid program) or Connect for Health Colorado, the state’s official health insurance marketplace.
Federal and State Health Insurance Subsidies Boosted Enrollments on Colorado’s Exchange
Record number of Coloradans enrolled during the annual enrollment period
DENVER— In a report released today, the state’s official health insurance marketplace, Connect for Health Colorado, attributes record enrollments this past Open Enrollment Period to federal and state policy changes making health coverage more affordable.
DENVER— Connect for Health Colorado, the state’s official health insurance marketplace, is accepting applications from new and returning organizations, as well as licensed Brokers, to operate Assistance Sites and Enrollment Centers across the state.
“Assistance Sites and Enrollment Centers provide a crucial one-on-one service to help Coloradans get covered,” said Connect for Health Colorado’s Chief Executive Officer, Kevin Patterson. “They help us make sure local communities, especially those who face barriers to health coverage, can access the plans and savings we offer. I encourage interested organizations and current partners to apply for this opportunity.”
Thousands of Coloradans Are Using Special Enrollment Periods to Sign Up for Health Insurance
Uninsured Residents Can Enroll in Health Coverage Now
DENVER – The state’s official health insurance marketplace, Connect for Health Colorado, reports that more than 6,000 Coloradans have signed up for a health insurance plan since the annual enrollment period closed mid-January using Special Enrollment Periods; about 1,000 enrollments per week. That brings Colorado’s total marketplace enrollments for the 2022 coverage year to nearly 205,000; a milestone that Connect for Health Colorado didn’t see until July last year.
Colorado Launches Tax Time Enrollment Program for Health Coverage
A new way to get health insurance outside of the annual enrollment period
Denver – There’s something new that Coloradans can look forward to when filing their 2021 State tax return—an opportunity to enroll in free or low-cost health coverage.
Nearly 200,000 Coloradans Signed Up for Health Insurance During Annual Enrollment Period
Special enrollment opportunities and enrollment assistance still available
DENVER – Connect for Health Colorado, the state’s official health insurance marketplace, reports that 198,412 Coloradans signed up for a health insurance plan by the end of the Open Enrollment Period. This is an increase of more than 18,000 enrollments, or 10 percent, above last year’s end of Open Enrollment total, and is the highest end of Open Enrollment total since Connect for Health Colorado opened for business in 2013.
In fact, 2022 OEP enrollment is up 10.5% y/y in Colorado.
Three out of four customers who signed up for a plan qualified for health insurance savings via tax credits. Thanks to the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021, an individual can save an average of 52 percent on their monthly premium after financial help is applied.
Colorado’s Health Insurance Enrollment Period Ends January 15th
Free Enrollment Help is Available Statewide
DENVER – This Saturday, January 15th, is the last day of Colorado’s annual Open Enrollment Period for health insurance. Connect for Health Colorado, the state’s official health insurance marketplace, reports that more than 190,000 Coloradans have signed up for a health insurance plan so far.
That means Colorado is already up 5.8% over last year's final total OEP enrollment with 3 days left to go.
“Health insurance is a critical tool for families amid the ongoing pandemic,” said Chief Executive Officer Kevin Patterson. “If you don’t know where to go to get covered, start with Connect for Health Colorado. We have free enrollment assistance and are here to help you every step of the way. Don’t miss this opportunity to enroll.”
