Like every state, Colorado has plenty of affordable health insurance options. If you live in Colorado the average cost for a full-coverage policy in your state is $346 a month, but plans can start as low as $267 a month. And most plans have optional dental and vision add-ons. Dental add-ons start at $42 a month and vision start at $13. And some residents might even be eligible for free coverage under certain circumstances.
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Colorado Health Insurance Companies
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Colorado Health Insurance Options
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How to Get the Most Savings
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Colorado Health Insurance FAQS
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How to Enroll in Health Insurance in Colorado
Colorado Health Insurance Companies
There are several health insurance companies that offer plans in Colorado. Each of these insurers offers a variety of policies with multiple benefits. It should be noted that there are a few companies that will be discontinuing service in Colorado in 2023, like Oscar and Brighthealth. But don’t worry! There are still several companies that offer plenty of options.
Anthem BlueCross BlueShield
Anthem BlueCross BlueShield is one of Colorado’s leading providers of health insurance. This insurer offers health insurance plans for both individuals and families and is known for offering reasonably priced plans that allow you and your family to get good coverage even if you’re on a budget.
They offer basic health insurance, dental insurance, vision insurance, travel medical insurance, group health insurance, supplemental insurance, Medicare, and Medicaid.
Cigna Health
Cigna is another of the top health insurance carriers offering plans in Colorado. Cigna’s Connect EPO network offers Gold, Silver, and Bronze ACA-compliant health insurance plans with a range of deductibles.
They also offer Virtual Care, a telehealth tool that is available through Cigna Connect plans. Copays for telehealth are the same as an in-person session, and a referral from a PCP is not necessary.
Their network covers areas of Denver, Boulder, Colorado Springs, Fort Collins, and Greely. But members living in the metro Denver area are not covered.
Friday Health Plans
Friday Health offers affordable coverage to individuals and small businesses in Colorado. They do their best to offer great coverage for a low price through their Bronze, Catastrophic, and Gold plans.
Health Insurance Marketplace in Colorado
If you’re looking for quality, affordable insurance in Colorado, you can check out the Marketplace for health insurance, which was created by the Affordable Care Act. Marketplace plans offer certain consumer protections, guarantee coverage for pre-existing conditions, and include coverage for what is known as the “10 essential health benefits”:
- Ambulatory patient services (outpatient care)
- Emergency services
- Hospitalization
- Pregnancy, maternity, and newborn care (both before and after birth)
- Mental health and substance use disorder services, including behavioral health treatment (including counseling and psychotherapy)
- Prescription drugs
- Rehabilitative and habilitative services and devices
- Laboratory services
- Preventive and wellness services and chronic disease management
- Pediatric services, including oral and vision care (but adult dental and vision coverage aren’t essential health benefits)
Each of the ACA-compliant plans offered on the Marketplace are divided into the different types, known as metal tiers: Bronze, Silver, and Gold. These tiers do not signal a difference in quality of care. The tiers differ in your out-of-pocket costs versus what your plan covers.
It’s important to remember that the Marketplace only offers the plans of participating providers. So unfortunately, while the Marketplace is a great tool, you may not be able to compare every plan available to you.
Whether you want a Marketplace plan, or a plan from a private insurer, an EZ agent can help. We work with all carriers in your state in order to compare all options available.
Over half of the uninsured in Colorado who qualify for Marketplace insurance coverage could get a Bronze plan for FREE.
Colorado’s Short Term Health Insurance Guidelines
If you’ve missed the OEP or have a need for health insurance for a small amount of time, short-term plans are a great option. It’s important to note, though, that these policies tend to only cover the basics, and you can be denied one of these plans if you have a pre-existing condition.
The federal government has set guidelines for short-term health insurance but each state is responsible for creating its own guidelines. While federal guidelines say you can get a short-term plan for up to 36 months, plans were originally offered for up to 6 months in Colorado. But as of 2019, new insurance laws have led to sales of short-term health insurance being discontinued. So while it’s not illegal in Colorado to offer these plans, they are not currently available.
Colorado Health Insurance Options
It’s important to understand the various kinds of health insurance plans that are offered in Colorado before choosing one. In Colorado, there are numerous ways for people to get health insurance.
- Individual plans – The list above gives you several of the companies that offer health insurance in Colorado. You can find coverage for you and your family with a plan from one of these insurers.
- Employer-sponsored plans – There is no law requiring Colorado employers to offer insurance to their employees, but many still do. Group health insurance is often cheaper than an individual plan, so check with your employer to see what they offer.
- Government assistance – Low-income families can find low cost or even free health insurance through Medicaid. But you must meet certain income requirements to be considered for these plans. And if you’re 65 or older, or living with certain disabilities, you qualify for a low-cost Medicare plan.
No matter what path you choose, getting help from an agent can save you a lot of hassle. EZ’s agents are highly trained and can review all of your needs to find the right plan for you.
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How to Get the Most Savings
Colorado ranks 20th in the U.S in terms of healthcare cost per capita, with an average annual for an individual of $8,289. This puts the state in the moderate zone when it comes to healthcare costs but saving on health insurance is always important. To make sure you find all of the discounts in your area, you should work with an agent. EZ’s agents can save you hundreds of dollars a year on health insurance in just a few minutes. And all of our services are free and there is no obligation!
There are other ways to find savings, too. Taking care of your health is a great way to keep your costs down. Your BMI can affect your insurance premiums. And the obesity rate in Colorado is 23.80%. So maintaining a healthy weight is a great way to keep your premiums low.
Your location also matters. The cheapest places in Colorado for health insurance are:
- Denver ($173.04)
- Colorado Springs ($254)
- Aurora ($100)
- Lakewood ($302)
The biggest impact to health insurance premiums is tobacco use. With 12% of Colorado’s residents being smokers, that’s a lot of people who could be saving money by quitting. Because smokers can pay up to 50% more for their health insurance premiums than nonsmokers. Along with your premiums going down, you’ll save money by not buying tobacco products. And more importantly, you’ll improve your health!
Colorado Health Insurance FAQS
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Does Colorado require you to have health insurance?
The Affordable Care Act technically requires that all citizens have health insurance coverage, but there is no longer a tax penalty for not having it. Some states do still require coverage, but Colorado is not one of them.
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What is the cheapest health insurance in Colorado?
The cheapest health plan will most likely be a Bronze plan, which can start as low as $267 a month. Remember, though, that health insurance plan prices can vary depending on age, zip code, gender, and other factors.
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How much does health insurance cost in Colorado?
The average monthly premium for health insurance is $346, or $4,152 per year, with plans as low as $267 a month to as high as $1,178. But do not let these numbers scare you. More than half of uninsured people in Colorado qualify for a $0 Bronze plan and don’t even know it.
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Which insurers offer plans in Colorado?
There are several health insurance companies in Colorado, which means there are plenty of plans available! Some of those insurers are Anthem, Cigna Health and Life Insurance Company, Denver Health, Medical Plan, Inc., Friday Health Plans, Kaiser Foundation Health Plan of Colorado, and Rocky Mountain Health Plans.
How to Enroll in Health Insurance in Colorado
Colorado has several options for enrolling in a health insurance plan. You can find coverage on your own or take advantage of your employer’s plan, if they offer one. You can also head to Colorado’s state-run exchange site, Connect for Health Colorado, where you can shop and compare Marketplace plans.
If you need help choosing a plan and/or enrolling, EZ agents are here to help. We can help guide you through the process and answer questions along the way. We’ll take your health, age, and budget into consideration, and find you the best plans for your needs. We work with the top insurers in the country to get you the coverage you need for the price you want to pay.
If you still have questions, feel free to give us a call at 877-670-3557. When you call, you will be directly connected to a local insurance agent who can answer all of your questions and help you find the health insurance plan that works best for you.