Know your options: Health coverage open enrollment begins soon

Colorado's health exchange open enrollment is just around the corner.

Connect for Health Colorado and Colorado Connect enrollment starts Nov. 1, and continues through Jan. 15, 2025. Now is the time for you to explore your options and select plans that best fit your needs. With ongoing changes in health care needs and economic conditions, take advantage of these enrollment periods to make sure that you have the most affordable coverage. The Health Insurance Literacy Team at La Plata County Public Health is here to help you with the enrollment process and to understand what is available.

This year's Open Enrollment provides several unique and new opportunities for individuals and families that have not been offered before, so it's important to pay attention.

As the state's official health insurance marketplace, Connect for Health Colorado aims to make health care accessible and affordable for all Colorado residents. During the Open Enrollment period, customers can compare various insurance plans, check eligibility for financial assistance and enroll in coverage for the upcoming year.

For the first time, DACA recipients are now eligible to apply for tax credits and enroll in an insurance plan on Connect for Health Colorado. A significant change to enrollment this year is some returning DACA customers may not have the same level of cost-sharing reductions as 2024. Cost-sharing reductions lower the amount of money you pay out of pocket when you receive health care, such as copays, deductibles, etc. It is critical to carefully review your 2025 health plan benefits and costs to note any changes.

Colorado Connect, in partnership with Connect for Health Colorado, is a platform that helps Coloradans access health insurance and financial help to improve their health, health literacy and well-being. This is where Coloradans who are undocumented can apply for the OmniSalud Program – a subsidy program that helps with the monthly cost of insurance. To support continuity of care, the enrollment process has changes for those eligible for OmniSalud. Current members enrolled in a 2024 plan can reenroll in a 2025 plan starting Nov. 1 through Nov. 22. Potential new customers of the OmniSalud program can start applying at 8 a.m. Nov. 25. Subsidies are limited, so it's best to enroll as soon as possible. Because every individual and family are unique, it is important to get qualified help with the enrollment process to make sure that you are enrolled in a plan that best fits your needs.

In addition to changes to Connect for Health Colorado and Colorado Connect, there are upcoming changes to Colorado Medicaid. Under the new law, "Cover All Coloradans," pregnant people and children are eligible for the same coverage as Medicaid and CHP+ (Child Health Plan Plus) regardless of documentation status. In addition to this new law, DACA recipients are now able to enroll in Medicaid and CHP+ coverage. This is to ensure that every resident has access to essential health care services. Enrollment for Medicaid and CHP+ is year-round, so anyone can apply anytime.

Again, the Health Insurance Literacy Team at La Plata County Public Health is here to help all residents. Virtual and in-person appointments with our Connect for Health Colorado Certified Health Coverage Guide are available. You can contact the team at (970) 764-7426 or at [email protected].

Emma Tomlinson is the Health Insurance Literacy coordinator at La Plata County Public Health Department. She is a Certified Health Coverage Guide through Connect for Health Colorado. La Plata County Public Health Department is a Connect for Health Certified enrollment and assistance site.

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