Health plan open enrollment ends Jan. 12

STATEWIDE — The Division of Insurance (DOI), part of the Department of Regulatory Agencies (DORA), reminds Coloradans who buy individual health insurance plans (not through an employer) that they have until January 12 to enroll in coverage for 2018.

After that date, people who want to buy an individual plan, either through the state’s health insurance marketplace, Connect for Health Colorado, or directly from an insurance company, cannot do so without experiencing a life-changing event, such as marriage, divorce, the birth of child or losing employer-sponsored coverage.

Colorado is one of a dozen states that operates its own health insurance exchange, and one of just nine states that has extended the deadline to purchase individual health plans past the December 15 deadline for the federal online exchange, healthcare.gov.

The Division of Insurance worked to retain all of the 2017 on-exchange, individual health insurance companies for 2018. These carriers include the following.

• Anthem (HMO Colorado)

• Bright Health Insurance

• Cigna Health and Life Insurance

• Denver Health Medical Plan

• Friday Health Plans (formerly known as Colorado Choice)

• Kaiser Foundation Health Plan of Colorado

• Rocky Mountain Health Maintenance Organization

On average, across the state, individual premiums will increase around 34 percent in 2018. But many Coloradans who purchase their plans on Connect for Health Colorado may be eligible for financial help (Advance Premium Tax Credits, or APTC) to make premiums more affordable. In fact, net premiums for those who qualify for the APTC – what the individual pays after the tax credit – will drop an average of 20 percent.

The Colorado Division of Insurance regulates the insurance industry and assists consumers and other stakeholders with insurance issues.  

Visit dora.colorado.gov/insurance or call 800-930-3745.