1 Montrose Assistance Site: # East Main Street, Montrose, CO Lynn Carretta - Alicia Plantz - North Fork Assistance Site: # West Bridge St, Hotchkiss, CO Maria Forster –

2 Affordable Care Act’s New reforms – as of 2014 Guaranteed Issue o No questions asked about pre-existing conditions (can raise rates up to 15% for tobacco users) ALL plans must have the 10 Essential Health Benefits o Mental health/substance abuse o Prescription drugs o Pediatric services, including oral and vision care o Increase in Medicaid Eligibility o Individuals - $15,000 or less per year o Couples - $20,000 or less Individual Mandate - requires all individuals to purchase health insurance (8 mo/yr) to avoid a tax penalty o $95 per adult or 1% of household income (whichever is greater) o $325/adult or 2% of household income (whichever is greater ) o $695/adult or 2.5% of household income (greater)

3 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 WORKING! Around 7,982 hits per day

4 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 system o Not part of Medicaid or Medicare o 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

5 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

6 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

7 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

8 Who can use the Individual Marketplace? Colorado residents who: o Currently buy insurance on their own o Are uninsured o Are self-employed o Don’t have access to affordable coverage through their employer

9 Small Business Marketplace Qualified businesses and non-profits may shop on the marketplace o 2-50 full-time equivalent employees Tax credits available for small business who meet qualifications SMALL BUSINESS CONTACT: REGION 10 Susan – #

10 The Numbers: Since OCTOBER 1 st, 2013 As of January 31 st, 2014: Accounts created on Connect for Health Colorado: o 171,678 Plans purchased: o 69,627 Newly eligible Medicaid recipients: o 117,697

11 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 assistance o Network of customer support based out of Colorado Springs

12 Other facts to know o Open enrollment period: o October 1, 2013 to March 31, 2014 o Sign-up by the 15 th to have coverage begin first of following month

13 Montrose Assistance Site: # East Main Street, Montrose, CO Lynn Carretta - Alicia Plantz - North Fork Assistance Site: # West Bridge St, Hotchkiss, CO Maria Forster –