DENVER, CO – Between October 1, 2013, and January 15, 2014, more than 165,000 Coloradans have signed up or been approved for 2014 health coverage, according to data released today from Connect for Health Colorado and the Colorado Department of Health Care Policy and Financing.

After an extremely busy December, the first two weeks of January continues to see steady interest from Colorado shoppers and enrollment activity. January 15 was the deadline for Coloradans to sign up for private health insurance that takes effect February 1. The next deadline is February 15 to have private health insurance start on March 1. Open enrollment continues until March 31. Enrollment for Medicaid is year-round.

“We are encouraged to see steady interest from Coloradans during the second half of our open enrollment period and we are focused on reaching as many Coloradans as possible to help them shop for health insurance and apply for new tax credits to reduce costs,” said Patty Fontneau, CEO of Connect for Health Colorado.

“Together with our partners at Connect for Health Colorado, we are reaching and enrolling the uninsured,” said Susan Birch, Executive Director of the Colorado Department of Health Care Policy and Financing. “The numbers released today further demonstrate Colorado as a leader in the nation. We are among a handful of States with technology in place to allow for real time eligibility determinations for Medicaid. The technology, along with our strong network of county and community partners, has allowed us to enroll individuals into new coverage faster than many other states many of which have much larger populations to reach.”

Coloradans signed up for health insurance:
165,137 (Total) 101,730 (Medicaid) 63,407 (private health insurance)

** More metrics information about Medicaid is available here and more metrics information about Connect for Health Colorado is available here.

Through state laws, Connect for Health Colorado was established as a non-profit entity with a Colorado mission. In addition, Colorado is expanding eligibility for Medicaid. Private health insurance purchased through Connect for Health Colorado’s competitive marketplace and the expanded eligibility for Medicaid both take effect in 2014. Enhanced federal funding that is available starting January 1, 2014 will support the Medicaid expansion.

Connect for Health Colorado has been open since October 1, 2013 and operates with separate technology and customer service operations from the federal marketplace, healthcare.gov. Connect for Health Colorado is open to individuals, families and small businesses. Individuals and families can choose from up to 150 private health insurance plans from ten carriers and small employers can create small group plans from up to 92 health insurance plans provided by six carriers. The Customer Service Center is open from 7 am to 8 pm Mondays through Saturdays at 1-855-PLANS-4-YOU (855-752-6749). More information is available at www.ConnectforHealthCO.com.

Colorado Medicaid and the Child Health Plan Plus (CHP+) are public insurance programs for low income Coloradans. The Department of Health Care Policy and Financing administers these programs. Coloradans have multiple ways to apply for coverage, Colorado.gov/PEAK is the online application for public assistance programs including medical assistance. For more information visit Colorado.gov/hcpf or visitColorado.gov/health. The Medicaid Call Center (800-221-3943 for general questions and 800-359-1991 to check application status) are available 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday. The call center is closed on state holidays.

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Contact information:
Ben Davis, ben@onsightpa.com, 303-552-6790 (Connect for Health Colorado)
Rachel Reiter, Rachel.Reiter@state.co.us, 303-866-3921 (Colorado Medicaid)

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