Colorado Health Care Reform

Guaranteed Acceptance & Pre-Existing Conditions

One of the biggest changes in health care under the Affordable Care Act (ACA) is guaranteed acceptance of pre-existing conditions. Insurance companies can no longer deny coverage to applicants with health conditions excluded in the past.

While guaranteed coverage provides welcome relief to Coloradans who have had difficulty finding accessible, affordable health insurance coverage for pre-existing conditions like cancer, diabetes, heart disease and others, the all-inclusive ACA mandate is resulting in higher premiums across the board.

Insurance consumers, who previously stayed in jobs solely for the health coverage, are now able to review their options in the individual market without hesitation based on a health issue.

Special Enrollment Periods

If you are outside the open enrollment period, a qualifying life-event (including change in marital status, dependent status, birth or adoption of a child) can open a special enrollment period for 30 days after the event. If you are turning 26 (when you are no longer allowed coverage on a parent’s plan), you can take advantage of the special enrollment period for 30 days to buy an individual ACA-qualified plan.

Special circumstances such as a significant decrease in income, financial hardship, or new unemployment benefit claims can be addressed during special enrollment periods as well. A change in income can also change your eligibility for premium tax credits. These issues can be addressed during special enrollment periods as well.

You may qualify for a hardship exemption (including inability to afford ACA coverage after cancellation of non-ACA plan). Read more about hardship exemptions.

Colohealth is Certified on the Connect for Health Colorado Exchange

​Colohealth’s team of Personal Benefits Managers is backed by 25 years of insurance expertise. We are also certified as an authorized agent on the Connect for Health Colorado marketplace. When you authorize us as your agent on the Colorado exchange, we can help you with every step of your enrollment, premium subsidy application and more. Our services to you are always free of charge!

Our Annual Comprehensive Policy Review can help you make sure you’re staying with the plan that offers the best value, year after year.

Colohealth can also show you how to combine your health insurance plan with a health savings account (HSA) to maximize your savings in several ways. When you open a tax-favored HSA, and are able to contribute the maximum allowable amount each year, you can:

• Reduce your taxable income
• Pay less income tax
• Increase your health care budget
• Improve eligibility for health tax credits
• Roll funds over annually for medical bills
• Withdraw medical funds without penalty
• Access total savings tax-free at age 65