Montrose Assistance Site: #970-252-0660 1519 East Main Street, Montrose, CO

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Montrose Assistance Site: #970-252-06601519 East Main Street, Montrose, CO

Lynn Carretta - [email protected] Plantz - [email protected]

North Fork Assistance Site: #970-872-2233 165 West Bridge St, Hotchkiss, CO

Maria Forster – [email protected]

www.ConnectforHealthCO.comwww.VOA.org

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Affordable Care Act’s New reforms – as of 2014

• Guaranteed Issueo No questions asked about pre-existing conditions (can raise rates up to 15% for

tobacco users)

• ALL plans must have the 10 Essential Health Benefitso Mental health/substance abuseo Prescription drugso Pediatric services, including oral and vision care

o Increase in Medicaid Eligibilityo Individuals - $15,000 or less per yearo Couples - $20,000 or less

• Individual Mandate - requires all individuals to purchase health insurance (8 mo/yr) to avoid a tax penaltyo 2014 - $95 per adult or 1% of household income (whichever is greater)

o 2015 - $325/adult or 2% of household income (whichever is greater)o 2016 - $695/adult or 2.5% of household income (greater)

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Background:

Colorado: 2006 (Governor Owens)1 of 17 states who opted to create an exchange to help residents purchase

Health Insurance, in accordance with the Affordable Care Act

www.ConnectforHealthCO.com WORKING!

Around 7,982 hits per day

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Connect for Health Colorado: What we are:

A non-profit competitive marketplace for individuals and small employers:o View, sort, purchase

•Middle-Man - connect the customers to the health insurance carriers o Not a new government health care systemo Not part of Medicaid or Medicareo Not a replacement for the current market or brokers

•Determine eligibility and access generous financial assistance to reduce monthly premiums and out-of-pocket costs

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Generous Financial Assistance:

1. Monthly assistance to reduce the cost of premiums:Annual Income:• Individuals: $15,282 to $45,960/year

• Couples: $20,628 to $62,040/year

• Family of four: $31,322 to $94,200/year

2 . Federal benefit that reduces out-of-pocket costs for medical care:

• Co-payments• Deductibles• Coinsurance costs

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EXAMPLES: In Montrose County

• Individuals:o Jeff: 27 years old, making $28,000/year

• Eligible for $110/month towards premium• Eligible for reduced deductibles

o Kim: 45 years old, making $28,000/year• Eligible for $221/month towards premiums• Eligible for reduced deductibles

o George: 58 years old, making $28,000/year• Eligible for $531/month towards premiums• Eligible for reduced deductibles

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EXAMPLES: In Montrose County

• Couples:o Amanda and Joe: ages 27 and 29, making $50,000/year

• Eligible for $211/month towards premiums

o Lindsey and Shane: ages 45 and 47, making $50,000/year• Eligible for $446/month towards premiums

o Betty and Peter: ages 58 and 60, making $50,000/year• Eligible for $1,078/month towards premiums

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Who can use the Individual Marketplace?

Colorado residents who:o Currently buy insurance on their owno Are uninsuredo Are self-employedo Don’t have access to affordable coverage through their

employer

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Small Business Marketplace

• Qualified businesses and non-profits may shop on the marketplaceo 2-50 full-time equivalent employees

• Tax credits available for small business who meet qualifications

SMALL BUSINESS CONTACT: REGION 10Susan – #209-3343

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The Numbers: Since OCTOBER 1st, 2013

As of January 31st, 2014:•Accounts created on Connect for Health Colorado:

o 171,678

•Plans purchased:o 69,627

•Newly eligible Medicaid recipients:o 117,697

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Other Benefits of Connect for Health Colorado

• Those who do not qualify for financial assistance:o Benefit of using the Marketplace

• Easy application process• Compare and sort over 45 plans at once• Check out and receive confirmation of plan choice from the Marketplace

o In-person assistanceo Network of customer support based out of Colorado Springs

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Other facts to know

o Open enrollment period:o October 1, 2013 to March 31, 2014

o Sign-up by the 15th to have coverage begin first of following month

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Montrose Assistance Site: #970-252-06601519 East Main Street, Montrose, CO

Lynn Carretta - [email protected] Plantz - [email protected]

North Fork Assistance Site: #970-872-2233 165 West Bridge St, Hotchkiss, CO

Maria Forster – [email protected]

www.ConnectforHealthCO.comwww.VOA.org