Health & Wealth Report Past Issues

health and wealth

Health insurance is overly-complicated and way more expensive than it should be. Our Health & Wealth Report is a monthly update with tips on how you can better manage your money and your risk. Subscribe for free, click here.

All Newsletters are available for reprint under the following Creative Commons License:   

Newsletter TitlePublished Date
enewsletterDirect Primary Care: The Colorado Alternative Worth Knowing
July 2026
enewsletterShould You Move From Insurance to a Healthshare?June 2026
enewsletterApril 15 HSA Deadline: Your Triple Tax Advantage Is WaitingApril 2026
enewsletterYour Rights Under the No Surprises Act: How to Fight Back Against Unexpected Medical BillsMarch 2026
enewsletterHeart Health Month Special: Preventive Care That PaysFebruary 2026
enewsletterNew Year, New HSA: Maximizing Your 2026 Health Savings StrategyJanuary 2026
enewsletterThe Gift of Health: Smart Healthcare Spending During the HolidaysDecember 2025
enewsletterBlack Friday for Healthcare: How to Shop Medical Procedures Like a ProNovember 2025
enewsletterWhat to Do When Your Health Plan Rates Spike or Your Carrier ExitsOctober 2025
enewsletterFighting Insurance Denials: Your Rights as a Healthcare ConsumerSeptember 2025
enewsletterBronze Plans Automatically HSA-Qualified Starting in January
August 2025
enewsletterAre Dental Plans Worth It?
July 2025
enewsletterHow To Shop for Health Care in ColoradoJune 2025
enewsletterIs the Colorado Public Option Really Saving People Money?
May 2025
enewsletterHow To Negotiate Lower Medical Bills
April 2025
enewsletterThe Seven Biggest Healthcare Reforms Trump and Kennedy Will Make March 2025
enewsletterNutrition Myths Debunked: What We Know Now February 2025
enewsletterSmart New Year’s Money Moves for 2025 January 2025
enewsletterYour Year-End Health and Wealth Checklist December 2024
enewsletterCorporate Influence in Healthcare: How to Keep Your Care Independent November 2024
enewsletterWe Need To Talk About Weight Loss Drugs October 2024
enewsletterThe Candidates on Healthcare September 2024
enewsletterEven Small Weight Loss Successes Bring Big Benefits August 2024
enewsletterOur Healthcare Freedom is Under Attack July 2024
enewsletterHow to Protect Yourself Against Alzheimer’s Disease June 2024
enewsletterWhat Health Screenings You Should Get, and When May 2024
enewsletterSmart Last-Minute Tax Moves for Colorado Residents April 2024
enewsletterPaternalistic Medicine – And How To Escape It March 2024
enewsletterThe Benefits of Preventative Care February 2024
enewsletterHealth Sharing: Understand Your Plan February 2024
enewsletter6 Money-Saving Tax Tips for 2024 January 2024
enewsletter7 Money-Saving Tax Tips for 2024 January 2024
enewsletterBack to Basics: Twelve Keys to a Healthy Lifestyle December 2023
enewsletterHow Direct Primary Care is Transforming Healthcare (And We’re Here For It!) November 2023
enewsletterUp Your HSA Game With Three Wealth Maximizing Strategies November 2023
enewsletterThe Health Share Advantage—Who Should
Make the Switch
October 2023
enewsletterHow To Find the Best Doctors – A Guide for Health Sharing Members (And Everybody Else!) October 2023
enewsletterOpen Enrollment Starts November 1st.
Here’s What You Need to Know
October 2023
enewsletterInsider Secrets Revealed: Find The Best Available Prices for Your Prescription Drugs! September 2023
enewsletterWhen to Use Urgent Care Centers vs. Emergency Rooms: A cost-saving guide to help make the right decision during non-emergency situations August 2023
enewsletterShould You Choose a Younger Doctor or Older Doctor? July 2023
enewsletterHow To Explain Healthsharing To Your Doctor June 2023
enewsletterWhat To Do When You Don’t Like Your Doctor June 2023
enewsletterNew Price Transparency Rules Empowering Healthcare Consumers May 2023
enewsletterMultiple Companies Slashing Insulin Prices! Here’s What You Need to Know April 2023
enewsletterHow To Choose a Primary Care Physician March 2023
enewsletterSave Money With Medical Tourism! February 2023
enewsletterThe Best Way to Lower Your Medical Bills – Get Healthy! January 2023
enewsletter7 Powerful Ways to Reduce Your Out-Of-Pocket
Medical Expenses
December 2022
enewsletterUnderstanding Your Healthshare Plan December 2022
enewsletterProviding Health Benefits to Your Small Business Employees – At a Cost You Can Afford November 2022
enewsletterHow Your Health Insurance Could Change in 2023 October 2022
enewsletterWhat If I Want to Switch Back to Health Insurance? October 2022
enewsletterUnderstanding the New Ban on Surprise Medical Billing September 2022
enewsletterA Game-Changer: How the Owner of the Dallas Mavericks May Save You Hundreds on Your Prescription Drugs August 2022
enewsletterDirect Primary Care Is a Better Option for Small Businesses July 2022
enewsletterPsilocybin and the Terminally Ill: Why the “Right to Try” Is an Essential Healthcare freedom July 2022
enewsletterOnly 14% of Hospitals are Complying with the Price Transparency Rule (Here’s How to Fight Back) June 2022
enewsletterDirect Primary Care (DPC) is the Best New Option for Small Business Healthcare June 2022
enewsletterHow Direct Primary Care (DPC) has Single-Handedly Reversed a Nationwide Exodus of Family Physicians May 2022
enewsletterPaying for Maternity Care When You Don’t Have an Insurance Plan [Healthshare Maternity Benefits] May 2022
enewsletterGetting the Most out of the 2021 Government Hospital Price Transparency Rule April 2022
enewsletterKnow Someone Who Can’t Afford Health Insurance? A Low-Cost Catastrophic Health Plan Could Be the Answer April 2022
enewsletterHow Healthshare Plans & HCSMs are Bucking the Trend of Surging Healthcare Costs March 2022
enewsletterOut-of-Control Insulin Prices are a Threat to Our Healthcare Freedom March 2022
enewsletterWinter Sports Lovers: Low-Cost Accident Plans Can Lower Your Risk of Injury to Just $100 February 2022
enewsletterYour Telehealth Benefits Have Been Upgraded, Probably for Good. Here’s How to Get the Most Out of Telemedicine February 2022
enewsletterWhat the Biden Vaccine Mandate Means for the Future of Healthcare Freedom January 2022
enewsletterURGENT: This is Your Last Chance to Sign Up for 2022 Health Insurance [Open Enrollment Ends January 15th] January 2022
enewsletterHealthshare Comparison: Zion vs. MediShare December 2021
enewsletterLower Your Out-of-Pocket Healthcare Costs in 2022 (Here’s How) December 2021
enewsletterGetting the Most Out of Your Healthshare Plan in 2022 November 2021
enewsletterHealth Insurance Open Enrollment Starts Now November 2021
enewsletterPairing Your Direct Primary Care Membership (DPC) with a Health Sharing Plan October 2021
enewsletterCreating Your 2022 Personal Healthcare Budget October 2021
enewsletterWhat’s the Best Medical Cost Sharing Plan? September 2021
enewsletterWhat to Do if Your Insurance Premiums Spike September 2021
enewsletterReminder: You May Qualify for Lower Premiums August 2021
enewsletterHow Much Life Insurance Do I Need? (How to Calculate Your Life Insurance) July 2021
enewsletterKnow Your Plan: How to Make the Most of Your Medical Benefits June 2021
enewsletterSpring Retirement Check-In: Are You Maximizing Your Tax-Favored Investments? May 2021
enewsletterUrgent: What You Need to Know About the New Health Insurance Subsidies April 2021
enewsletterKnow Your Plan: How to Make the Most of Your Medical Benefits April 2021
enewsletterUnderstanding Tax-Deferred Investment Tools March 2021
enewsletterTwo Ways to Offer Health Benefits to Your Employees … Without Buying a Group Plan February 2021
enewsletterWhy Routine Screenings & Preventive Care are More Important Than Ever January 2021
enewsletterPeak Health Alliance: An All-New Health Insurance Option for Colorado’s Ski Country December 2020
enewsletterSmall Business Guide to Individual Coverage HRAs (ICHRA) November 2020
enewsletter2020 Health Insurance Open Enrollment Is Coming … Are You Ready? October 2020
enewsletterAre You Prepared for Long-term Care? August 2020
enewsletterWhat to Do if You Get COVID-19 July 2020
enewsletterFast Help: Lowering Healthcare
Costs to Get By
June 2020
enewsletterThe Most Important Questions about Coronavirus, Health Insurance, & HSAs May 2020
enewsletterIn Uncertain Times, Your Preventative Benefits are More Important than Ever April 2020
enewsletterHow to Avoid Surprise Medical Bills March 2020
enewsletterYes, Most People Actually Do Need Life Insurance February 2020
enewsletterEye Exams: A Necessary Cost, or a Huge Rip-off? January 2020
enewsletterMaking the Most of Your Health Plan in 2020 December 2019
enewsletterYour ColoHealth End-Of-Year Financial Management Reminders November 2019
enewsletterOpen Enrollment is Almost Here October 2019
enewsletterCrazy Costs & Pointless Procedures: How
to Tell If You Actually Need that Doctor-
Recommended Surgery
September 2019
enewsletterHow to Maximize Your Benefits with these
Online Price Comparison Tools
August 2019
enewsletter6 Easy Steps to Plan for Retirement Early July 2019
enewsletterStart Early: Planning for Long-term Care Costs June 2019
enewsletterSave on Your Prescriptions with Free Mobile Apps! May 2019
enewsletterTax Deadline is April 15: Here’s What to Do if You Made HSA Excess Contributions April 2019
enewsletter5 Reasons an Estate Plan is Vital Today March 2019
enewsletterIt’s Ski Season: Don’t Forget to Equip an
Accident Plan!
February 2019
enewsletterNew Year’s Resolution: Achieving Financial Security January 2019

Health Insurance Instant Quote

HEALTH INSURANCE INFORMATION

  • Plans approved and authorized under the Affordable Care Act
  • Covers Pre-Existing conditions
  • Low cost subsidized plans available to those earning
    < 400% of the federal poverty level
  • Unlimited lifetime benefits
  • Available during open enrollment (November 1 – January 15), or if you qualify for a Special Enrollment Period

Learn More About Colorado Health Insurance Plans

How to Choose an HSA-Qualified Health Plan

how to

HSA plans are simple and easy to understand. If you need some basic information on how Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) work, visit our HSA page.

A relatively small percentage of health insurance plans are HSA-eligibile. If you are looking at health insurance quotes through our quote engine, HSA plans will be noted.

While HSAs are typically associated with insurance plans, ColoHealth also offers a partially self-directed HSA combined with a healthshare program through MPowering Benefits. Health care sharing programs are not insurance; instead, they pay formedical expenses in a different way. Members pay monthly contributions, and that money is pooled together to pay for its members’ qualifying medical expenses.

Health share programs offer significant savings, one of their biggest appeals and one of the reasons why there are now more than a million people who have joined a health share program. However, they aren’t for everyone. If you have a pre-existing condition or are currently going to the doctor often, medicare cost sharing programs might not be the right fit for you.

When you are ready to choose a plan, follow the directions below. It usually takes no more than 10 minutes or so to choose the best plan for your needs.

1.  Get an Instant Quote.

Our instant quote engine can rapidly show you the available plans in your area, so that you can get an overall feel of what premiums will be for the different HSA plans.

To see just the HSA health insurance plans, change the “Plan Type” on the Customize Search tab at the top of the page to “HSA”. Note that not all insurance companies and plans are available in all areas.

The healthshare program that works with an HSA is very attractively-priced, particularly if you do not qualify for a health insurance subsidy.

Get an Instant HSA Health Insurance Quote

Get an Instant HSA Healthshare Quote

2.  Compare premiums/monthly contribution amounts.

This will quickly give you a feel for which companies are most competitive in your area.

3.  You may want to consider adding an $100 deductible accident policy. Stand-alone accident plans can be viewed on our Accident Plans page. Because these accident plans are very inexpensive, you may be able to keep your premiums lower while greatly reducing your exposure for the type of claim you’re most likely to need your health insurance for – an accident.

4.  With both health insurance and most health sharing plans you may want to check the insurance company’s PPO or HMO network to see which doctors and hospitals are considered in-network providers. The link to each plan’s PPO or HMO network can be found on that company’s page on our site.

Note that some healthshare programs do not use a network, and allow you to see any doctor of your choice.

How to Apply for Coverage

how to

Applying for HSA health insurance and establishing an HSA is quick and easy. Most companies allow you to apply online. Or you may simply print out an application and fax it to us at 866-284-0082, or mail in your application to the address below.

Apply Online

The easiest and most efficient way to apply for an HSA plan is online through a secure online application. This will enable you to avoid the hassles of filling out a paper application and will speed up the process by instantly transmitting your information directly to the insurance company. The application usually takes about 10 minutes to complete.

You may apply online by running instant quotes, and apply online for most plans we offer right from the quoting system's results page. Or simply select the apply online link below for the plan you are interested in.

If you are interested in a healthshare plan, you can get a quote on the MPowering Benefits HSA-qualified health share plan, and apply online.

Mail or Fax an Application

You can download an application for the plan you are interested in, print it out, fill in all the required information, and then either fax it to us toll-free at (866) 284-0082 or mail it to us at the address below.

What Happens After You Apply

When you apply for a health insurance plan through Colohealth, we immediately submit the information. We monitor your application during the whole process, and keep you informed. We use our experience and connections to make sure your policy gets issued as quickly as possible. If any additional information is needed, we’ll let you know. We will inform you as soon as you’ve been approved, and make sure you’re happy with your coverage.

We're Here to Help

As you've probably noticed, our website is comprehensive and should answer most of your questions. However, if you need personal assistance, we are happy to help. Simply pick up the phone and call us, or if you are already in communication with one of our Personal Benefit Managers, you can contact them directly.

If you’re unsure, you may want to schedule a telephone consultation before you sign up for a plan. We will help you fully analyze all your options, let you know the pros and cons of the various plans you are considering, and give you our professional opinion about which plans will best meet your needs. We’ll then help you get enrolled with the plan you choose.

How to Establish Your Health Savings Account

how to

Once you have applied, you'll want to go ahead and set up your Health Savings Account. You are not required to establish an HSA, but by funding the account as soon as possible you'll be able to take advantage of the tax deductions and tax-deferred growth HSAs offer.

To establish your HSA, follow the steps below:

  1. Choose the bank or trustee you would like to administer your HSA.
  2. Fund your account no later than April 15th for the previous year.
  3. Decide how you want that money invested.
  4. Decide on a strategy for when you’re going to make withdrawals (see the How to Maximize Your Tax Benefits section below).

How to Maximize Your Tax Benefits

how to

An HSA plan is really a pretty simple concept. You have a high-deductible health insurance plan you hope to never use, but if something big does happen, it will protect your assets and cover your medical expenses. There are a few things that can make a big difference in how much money you spend and how much money you accumulate in your account.

There are basically three different strategies on how to fund your HSA.

  1. Put no money in the account, except when you incur a medical expense. This strategy allows you to legally "launder" any money used to pay medical expenses. In other words, by depositing money into your HSA, then immediately withdrawing it to reimburse yourself for medical expenses, you are making your medical expenses all tax-deductible. You may want to use this strategy if you are on a tight budget and want to keep your cash outlay as low as possible.
  2. Fully fund the account, or at least put in as much as possible based on your budget. Take money out of the account any time medical expenses are incurred, and let the rest grow tax-deferred. This strategy will maximize your tax deduction, while making your HSA funds available to pay any non-covered medical expenses before your deductible is met.
  3. Fully fund the account, but pay all medical expenses from a non-HSA account. Reimburse yourself for medical expenses at a later date. This strategy will allow you to maximize your tax deduction and the tax-deferred growth of your HSA. You can then reimburse yourself, tax-free, at any time in the future for medical expenses incurred over the ensuing years.

To maximize the potential growth of your funds, you may want to make your HSA deposits as early in the year as possible. Any growth in your account is tax-deferred, like an IRA.

Take Full Advantage of Your HSA

how toDon't forget that every time you fund your account you get an instant tax deduction. When you offset the tax savings against your premiums, your net cost for an HSA plan can be very low.

The maximum allowable contribution goes up every year with the Consumer Price Index. If you are contributing to your account for 2024, the individual contribution limit is $4,150, and the family limit is $8,300. In 2025, that limit is $4,300 for individuals and $8,550 for families.

Review your options.

Rate increases for plans happen only in January, so make sure to review your options every year during open enrollment to make sure they’re still the best choice for you. Even if you switch to a plan without an HSA, the account and money are still yours to use; however, you simply can’t contribute to it anymore until you’re under another HSA-qualified plan

Often, people keep their plan much longer than they should, and end up paying much more than they should. If your rates go up, you can compare a wide variety of plans on our Instant Quote System. If you have your coverage through ColoHealth, we automatically do this analysis of available plans for you any time we are notified of rate increases.

Whether you pick an HSA with an insurance plan or a health share plan, HSAs plans are a great way to protect yourself while saving tax-deferred money. If you have any questions or would like to review your options, reach out to your Personal Benefits Manager or give us a call. We’d love to chat and help you through the process.

Healthshare Instant Quote

HEALTH COST-SHARING INFORMATION

  • Not health insurance, but a way for like-minded individuals to share medical expenses
  • Waiting periods on pre-existing conditions
  • May exclude sharing for certain conditions or activities
  • Enroll any time
  • Much lower monthly cost than unsubsidized health insurance

Learn More About Colorado Healthshares Programs