Colorado Health Insurance Plans and Insurance Companies covering Colorado

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Health Insurance for the Well Informed

At 7%, Colorado’s rate of individual health insurance is slightly higher than the national average of 5%. In 2005, only 94% of large groups and 46% of small groups were offering their employees health insurance coverage, according to America’s Health Insurance Plans. As a result, more people are buying individual health insurance plans. In 2005, health insurance premiums for individual health insurance in Colorado were $355 higher. According to www.familiesusa.org, health insurance premiums for an individual in Colorado with private, employer-sponsored coverage will be $576 higher in 2010.

Medical underwriting is allowed without restriction in Colorado. For preexisting condition requirements, the carrier may look back in a consumer’s medical history 12 months for any preexisting conditions and impose a 12 month exclusionary period.

Colorado offers health insurance to the medically uninsurable through a high risk pool called CoverColorado. You may be eligible for this program if you meet the following criteria:

Coverage under high-risk health insurance includes doctor visits, preventive care, maternity, prescription drugs, inpatient and outpatient hospital care, laboratory and x-ray, emergency care, ambulance, mental health and substance abuse, therapy, durable medical equipment, oxygen , organ transplants, home health care, hospice, skilled nursing, dental, vision, and chiropractic services.

16% of Colorado‘s residents lacked health insurance between 2004 and 2005 according to www.statehealthfacts.org. The high uninsured rate is directly related to the high costs of health insurance in Colorado. In 2006, Colorado was one of the states with the highest premium rates. The average monthly premium in 2006 for an individual in a small group was $362, whereas a family paid $950 per month.

According to www.ahip.org, Colorado ranked 29^th in percent of employers offering health insurance to their employees in 2005.

In Colorado, medical underwriting is allowed with group insurance as well. Rates may vary by up to 10% above the index rate and 25% below based on smoking status, claims experience, health status, and industrial classification. For preexisting condition requirements, the carrier may look back in a consumer’s medical history 6 months and impose a 12 month exclusionary period for those that did not have prior medical coverage.

Colorado offers COBRA, the Consolidate Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1985. COBRA allows the person and their dependents enrolled in a group policy the right to continue in the group coverage on a temporary basis after the departure from an employer with 20 or more employees.

Medicaid is a joint state and federal program that pays for medical and long-term care services for low-income pregnant women, children, certain people on Medicare, disabled individuals and nursing home residents. These individuals must meet certain income and other requirements.

Income Requirements:

Children:
Ages 1-5: 133% of the Federal Poverty Level
Ages 6-19: 100% of the Federal Poverty Level
Pregnant Women and Infants:
Pregnant Women: 133% of the Federal Poverty Level
Infants - Ages 0-1: 133% of the Federal Poverty Level
Parents:
Non-Working Parents: 32% of the Federal Poverty Level
Working Parents: 39% of the Federal Poverty Level
Other Populations:
Supplemental Security Income Recipients: 74% of the Federal Poverty Level

Covered Services:

Outpatient, rural health clinic, laboratory and x-ray, nursing home, physician services, early and periodic screening diagnosis and treatment, family planning, prescription drugs, case management, medical transportation, nurse midwife, and ambulatory prenatal care.

Co-payments vary depending on the service.

You may learn more about Colorado Medicaid at http://www.chcpf.state.co.us/.

Colorado offers the CHP+ program for children 18 and younger who are residents of Colorado, do not qualify for Medicaid, are U.S. citizens or permanent U.S. residents, are not covered by any other insurance, or are refugees and asylees. Please visit the CHP+ website for more detailed information at http://www.cchp.org/.

Colorado also offers a dental program for kids in low-income families called KIND. Please visit the KIND website for more detailed information at http://www.kindsmiles.org/.

Colorado Health Insurance Quotes

Colorado Health Insurance Companies

All about Colorado Individual Health Insurance

The Uninsured in Colorado

Colorado Small Business (1-50 employees) & Group Health Insurance

Colorado COBRA Health Coverage

Medicaid in Colorado

Other Colorado Health Insurance Programs

Colorado Health Insurance in the News