The value of having health insurance

STAY HEALTHY AND AVOID DEBT

Newsroom El Comercio de Colorado

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You must be enrolled in a Connect for Health Colorado plan by January 15, 2023.

Health is an essential value for all of us and our families. “The importance of enjoying good health has increased with the COVID-19 pandemic. Now more than ever we want to be protected. Regardless of our age, it has become crucial to have access to medical care and be treated by specialists. It is very important for me to choose the doctor that I like the most and that is located near my home”, said Romaira Barreto, a 45-year-old mother of two children.

Barreto became aware of the need for health insurance after having suffered from COVID twice. “I still haven’t recovered and I must visit specialists while I fully heal,” this Arvada resident told us as she waited for her appointment at Servicios de la Raza to enroll in one of the plans available on the Connect for Health Colorado insurance marketplace (C4HC). Barrero also made reference to the risk that she ran of being in debt for having had to receive medical attention.

Debt Protection

“I grew up in Guadalajara and I can compare. In The United States, the costs of medical care, hospitalizations and surgeries are higher. I have had experiences in which I’ve had to pay up to two thousand dollars a month for medicines. For this reason I understand the premium’s costs. I want to sit down and find an insurance plan that I can pay monthly and that has a copay and deductible that is within my reach,” she added. Barrero indicated that over time she has learned that “having insurance protects her against debt.”

The information provided by C4HC corroborates Barreto’s criteria. The average cost of a three-day hospitalization exceeds $30,000. Meanwhile, treatment for a broken leg can cost up to $7,500. Each health insurance offered by C4HC has an out-of-pocket maximum. Once you reach your out-of-pocket maximum, the insurance plan you choose will pay 100 percent of your covered health care costs.

Staying Healthy

All C4HC Marketplace health plans cover a set of preventive services. These services are free even if you haven’t met your deductible yet. Among these free preventive services are visits to your doctor. for annual reviews. Regular health exams are also included when provided by a doctor or other provider within your plan’s network. The purpose is to help people stay healthy and save money by preventing illness.

“All plans offered by the C4HC marketplace are required to cover a complete package of benefits. However, the plans available can vary greatly in the number of hospitals and doctors you can go to within the network for services; the way the cost is shared with you, or a copay; and additional benefits that cover beyond what is required. In the appointment with the authorized health advisors, people should discuss these points,” said Mónica Caballero, spokeswoman for C4HC.

For all Coloradans

Nearly all Coloradans can use Connect for Health Colorado to purchase a health insurance plan. There are no income requirements to purchase a plan through Connect for Health Colorado. The only requirements to purchase a plan through Connect for Health Colorado are to be lawfully present in the United States; be a resident of Colorado and not be in prison or serving time in a jail.

People can even get financial help to lower their monthly premiums. That financial aid will depend on the applicants’ income and family size. However, those who have access to an affordable health insurance offer such as Health First Colorado (Medicaid) do not qualify for this help; Medicare; TRICARE; the Children’s Insurance Program (CHIP); or a program offered by your or your spouse’s employer.

Get financial help

https://connectforhealthco.com/es/ayuda-financiera/obtenga-ayuda-financiera/

Coverage Plan

All health insurance plans available through the Connect for Health Colorado marketplace include these coverages. Some plans may also offer more services or exclude cost sharing for additional services important to you.

• Emergency services.
• Hospitalization (surgeries and overnight stays).
• Laboratory services.
• Mental health and substance use disorder services.
• Outpatient services you receive without being admitted to a hospital.
• Services for children.
• Pregnancy, maternity and newborn care.

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