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Financial assistance for health insurance remains available

(Photo/Colorado News Connection)

ENROLLMENT FOR CONNECT FOR HEALTH UNTIL DECEMBER 15

Newsroom El Comercio de Colorado

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Connect for Health Colorado, the state’s official health insurance marketplace, began open enrollment for the year 2025 on November 1. This annual enrollment period allows Colorado residents to explore new affordable health insurance plan options or renew their current plans. In 2025, six companies are offering medical, dental, and vision plans through Connect for Health Colorado: Anthem, Cigna, Denver Health, Kaiser Permanente, Rocky Mountain Health Plans, and Select Health.

Residents without access to health insurance through an employer or government program have until December 15 to enroll and start receiving benefits beginning January 1, 2025. “We expect that 3 out of 5 customers will find a plan during open enrollment for $10 or less per month,” said Kevin Patterson, Connect for Health Colorado spokesperson.

Affordable Health Insurance Options

This enrollment period is particularly significant for Latinos and Hispanics in Colorado, who are three times more likely to be uninsured compared to White or African American residents, according to a 2023 report from the Colorado Health Institute. The main reason cited by uninsured individuals for lacking coverage is cost. However, the federal Inflation Reduction Act, which provides Advanced Premium Tax Credits, remains in effect for 2025.

This law enables many residents to receive financial assistance. Approximately 81% of customers qualify for financial aid. Patterson urged everyone, including current enrollees and new customers, to use the online Quick Cost and Plan Finder tool offered by Connect for Health to explore plans and estimate available financial assistance. This tool allows customers to compare options without creating an account.

Navigating and Understanding Options

Lack of knowledge about how to obtain health insurance is another barrier cited by uninsured individuals. Connect for Health Colorado offers a statewide network of certified brokers and assisters who speak multiple languages and help customers find the right program, free of charge. The same network also supports undocumented residents in comparing affordable plans and enrolling through the OmniSalud program.

Immigration status is not requested during enrollment, and information provided is not used for immigration enforcement. A health navigator from Servicios de la Raza highlighted the importance of health insurance: “We helped a family during the enrollment period. The father, who was the primary provider, had an emergency that required a week in the hospital. Thanks to the health insurance, the bill was only $300, which was a great relief,” they said.