Colorado Individual & Group Health Insurance Blog

If you are searching for a Colorado health plan, you may be running into several companies that just want to sell you a “cookie cutter” premium plan, but not all customers need that type of plan.  What many people do not know is that most Colorado health insurance companies offer several different price points, based on the amount of risk you are willing to take.

One advantage to buying individual health insurance is you don’t need to buy a pre-packaged plan like the ones offered by most employers.  You can fully customize a plan to meet your needs.  If you are self-employed and relatively healthy, look for a plan that allows you the flexibility to pay lower premiums in exchange for higher deductibles.   This type of insurance can save you thousands of dollars per year.  The only risk is that you will be responsible for either high premiums or co-insurance if you are hospitalized. 

Co-insurance is where you and your health insurer split the cost of your healthcare based on predetermined percentages. With this type of plan, you might be responsible for 20% of the total bill, with the plan paying the remaining 80%, but each plan is different so be sure to read the fine print.  

Deductibles are an agreed-upon amount of money you must pay out of your pocket before your health insurance kicks in.  With some of the lower priced Colorado health plans, you may be responsible for the first $500 to $1,000. 

If you opt for a Health Savings Plan on top of a low-cost/high deductible policy, you can put money aside; pre-tax, to help you cover the cost of high deductibles or co-insurance. 

A Colorado health insurance broker can give you a thorough explanation of the costs and benefits associated with these individual health plans.  Michael Horvat is a health insurance expert and broker with HealthQuotes.com in Colorado Springs, CO. If you are searching for Colorado health insurance plans or quotes, please give Michael a call anytime at 800-345-0789.

Anyone who has been paying attention to the Healthcare Reform debates in Washington has probably heard a few things about “preexisting conditions”.  In fact, just these words alone are enough to make healthcare providers squirm.  If you are looking for a Colorado health plan and have been turned down because of a preexisting condition, you are already aware of how much more expensive your healthcare can be.  Many people with chronic illnesses have found it cost-prohibitive to buy a Colorado health plan, but even without a Healthcare Reform bill, there is still hope. 

If you have ever been denied health insurance in Colorado, here is one thing to remember:  the federal HIPAA laws were designed to improve the availability and portability of health insurance.  These same laws generally prevent health carriers from excluding an individual from coverage due to a preexisting condition.  The only instance where preexisting condition become an issue is when there is a significant break in coverage (of at least 63 days), but if one has had 12 months of creditable coverage with no such break, one cannot be subjected to exclusion because of a preexisting condition.  In most cases, the only stipulation is that one must enroll when one is first eligible. 

Since these laws were adopted, many insurers have begun to add “elimination riders” to their policies.  These riders are basically amendments to a policy that exclude a very specific health condition which you may have had in the past.  This is why it is so important to work with an experienced Colorado health insurance broker.  Michael Horvat is a health insurance expert and broker with HealthQuotes.com in Colorado Springs, CO. If you are searching for Colorado health insurance plans or quotes, please give Michael a call anytime at 800-345-0789.

According to the recently released 2009 Colorado Health Report Card, the score for healthy children in the state slipped from a C-minus last year to a D+ in 2009.  One of the reasons for this is childhood obesity, which is puzzling.  Despite the fact that Colorado is the only state with an adult obesity rate under 20%, it still ranks 23rd in childhood obesity.

The report also shows that despite having low levels of health insurance coverage (ranking 32nd in the nation), Colorado adults are pretty healthy.  Unfortunately, this ability to remain healthy without insurance remains elusive to younger residents. 

Some efforts are already underway to help improve the state’s Health Report Card grades, specifically for children.  In fact, many improvements have already been made to help make Colorado health insurance more accessible to children.  In an executive order signed last week, Governor Ritter has already made the application process easier for services like Medicate and the Children’s Health Plan Plus (CHP+).   State-funded Colorado health insurance is available to children whose families qualify, but for a combination of reasons, many qualified children are still uninsured.  This is partially due to a complicated application process and lack of awareness among qualified families. 

Anything that will simplify or automate the application process for state-funded health insurance is bound to have a positive impact on the health of children in Colorado.  Families whose children qualify for this insurance are often able to purchase an inexpensive policy for themselves.  For more information and free health insurance quotes for Colorado health insurance policies, sites like Healthquotes.com can be a great help. 

Michael Horvat is a health insurance expert and broker with HealthQuotes.com in Colorado Springs, CO. If you are searching for Colorado health insurance plans or quotes, please give Michael a call anytime at 800-345-0789.

Originally enacted by President Bush as part of a Medicare bill, Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) were designed to help people save for future medical expenses on a tax-free basis.  In order to take advantage of this tax-free savings account, one must be covered by a High Deductible Health Plan (HDHP), which is generally less costly than a traditional Colorado health insurance plan. 

This novel approach to managing healthcare costs is a sensible alternative to traditional Colorado health plans, but it can also be a great way to pay for out-of-pocket health expenses that are not typically covered by any health plan. Once an HSA has been established, the account holder has complete control over how the money is spent.  For people who are generally healthy and don’t want to make big insurance companies any richer, this might be the ideal way to pay for healthcare.

While the concept behind these plans makes perfect sense, HSAs and HDHP plans are not for everyone.  There is always the possibility that something catastrophic could occur before enough money is stashed away in the savings account.  Or, you could find that the amount of money in the account is insufficient to pay for excessive healthcare costs. 

Minimum deductibles for a compatible HDHP plan also apply, and there is a cap on annual out-of-pocket costs that can be drawn from an HSA, but overall the plan offers a lot more flexibility than the average Colorado health insurance plan.  Signing up for an HSA is easy; it can be done at banks, credit unions and with a Colorado insurance broker. 

Michael Horvat is a health insurance expert and broker with HealthQuotes.com in Colorado Springs, CO. If you are searching for Colorado health insurance plans or quotes, please give Michael a call anytime at 800-345-0789.

For those Coloradoans who have been denied health insurance because of preexisting conditions, or have used up all their COBRA benefits,CoverColorado may be able to help.  CoverColorado is a non-profit organization that promotes access to health insurance for Colorado residents.  It is specifically designed to help people whose health condition prohibits or significantly limits their access to commercial insurance. 

Some of the key benefits of CoverColorado include:

• Prescription drug coverage
• A choice of deductibles to help manage premium costs
• Comprehensive health insurance for preexisting conditions
• Preventive care services
• Dedicated care management advocates for members who are hospitalized
• A large network of doctors

In addition to these benefits, CoverColorado also provides a COB (Coordination of Benefits) plan for disabled individuals who are under 65 and cannot purchase Medicare supplement insurance or who missed the open enrollment period.

Unlike other state-managed programs, CoverColorado is not a low-income plan, but it can still be an option if you are unable to find coverage anywhere else, or if you cannot afford the higher-risk premium. 

For those who do not qualify for this type of coverage, a Colorado health insurance broker may be able to help. Michael Horvat is a health insurance expert and broker with HealthQuotes.com in Colorado Springs, CO. If you are searching for Colorado health insurance plans or quotes, please give Michael a call anytime at 800-345-0789.

For those Coloradoans who have been denied health insurance because of preexisting conditions, or have used up all their COBRA benefits, CoverColorado may be able to help.  CoverColorado is a non-profit organization that promotes access to health insurance for Colorado residents.  It is specifically designed to help people whose health condition prohibits or significantly limits their access to commercial insurance. 

Some of the key benefits of CoverColorado include:

• Prescription drug coverage
• A choice of deductibles to help manage premium costs
• Comprehensive health insurance for preexisting conditions
• Preventive care services
• Dedicated care management advocates for members who are hospitalized
• A large network of doctors

In addition to these benefits, CoverColorado also provides a COB (Coordination of Benefits) plan for disabled individuals who are under 65 and cannot purchase Medicare supplement insurance or who missed the open enrollment period.

Unlike other state-managed programs, CoverColorado is not a low-income plan, but it can still be an option if you are unable to find coverage anywhere else, or if you cannot afford the higher-risk premium. 

For those who do not qualify for this type of coverage, a Colorado health insurance broker may be able to help. Michael Horvat is a health insurance expert and broker with HealthQuotes.com in Colorado Springs, CO. If you are searching for Colorado health insurance plans or quotes, please give Michael a call anytime at 800-345-0789.

Trying to become familiar with Colorado health plans can take a lot of research, since each plan has a menu of options designed to meet the needs of all their customers.  As part one of a multi-part series, I will be providing basic information about Colorado health insurance companies. 

Below is a summary of the plans offered by one of the best known Colorado health insurance companies, Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Colorado (BCBS).  This company was given an “A” rating by the A.M. Best Company, and offers a variety of popular and affordable health plans. 

• Blue Preferred is Anthem’s PPO plans, which provides full-coverage for doctor’s visits and prescription drugs with a low co-pay. 
• SmartSense is a very basic plan offering that protects individuals and families at low monthly premiums, with higher deductibles.
• Lumenos HSA is a health savings account that gives members the opportunity to put away pre-tax income to pay for qualified medical expenses.  Not only does this represent a tax savings, it also helps people spend less on medical-related expenses.  A similar plan, the Lumenos HIA has some additional incentives to help members maintain optimal health.
• Tonik is a plan that is designed for young and healthy people. With co-pays of $20, $30 and $40, it covers generic medications, dental and vision with a choice of deductibles ranging from $1,500 to $5,000.
• RightPlan PPO 40 is a flexible plan that allows members to choose how much coverage they need by tailoring a plan that is based on the way members consume healthcare.

An insurance broker can give you an accurate health insurance quote based on your individual needs.  Michael Horvat is a health insurance expert and broker with HealthQuotes.com in Colorado Springs, CO. If you are searching for Colorado health insurance plans or quotes, please give Michael a call anytime at 800-345-0789.

Colorado dental insurance is sometimes an afterthought for health insurance customers, and it can easily be overlooked when pricing out a Colorado health plan.  But depending on the type of dental insurance you need, buying dental insurance is usually a good idea.

For example, if a cavity turns into a root canal, the endodontic treatment alone could cost close to $1,000.  Then if you add a crown, it can cost another $1,000 or more.  Anyone who has ever had to pay for these services will tell you; they can be a debilitating financial burden.  That’s why it pays to get some form of dental coverage.

Similar to health insurance, Colorado dental insurance is often available at a low premium cost through employers, but if your employer doesn’t offer it you can still buy a plan on your own.  Before selecting a policy, take some time to familiarize yourself with the coverage levels and co-pays each plan requires.

• Managed-care dental plans are becoming more popular in Colorado, as opposed to fee-for-service plans. The benefit of managed dental care is that the costs are usually lower, but you will need to choose a dentist from a list of approved providers.
• PPO plans may have a larger list of participating dentists, but the plan will require higher co-pays than a managed-care plan.  A PPO will also cover dentists outside of their network, but you will need to pay more for their services. 
• Some people opt for a dental discount card.  As opposed to an insurance plan, discount cards give customers access to discounts on dental services but they do not pay any portion of the bill.

Colorado health insurance brokers can provide guidance in purchasing the right Colorado dental insurance plan for you and your family.   Michael Horvat is a health insurance expert and broker with HealthQuotes.com in Colorado Springs, CO. If you are searching for Colorado health insurance plans or

If you’re new to buying health insurance, you might think that all the health insurance providers in Colorado conspired to make the process more difficult than it should be.  Just the fact that most providers have catalog-sized health plan descriptions, and numerous coverage restrictions would make anyone a little intimidated.  But the process of buying an individual Colorado health insurance plan doesn’t have to be tricky. 

One way to find the health plan that you need, without spending hours poring over health plans, is by comparing online quotes from a few different companies.  The reason this makes so much sense is that you can enter all of your pertinent information into a database and query the system for quotes from companies who can meet your needs.  Then, it’s just a simple matter of choosing the best plan at the most competitive price.

Working with a few Colorado health insurance quotes will give you a snapshot of what each company will offer, including the plan premium, deductibles, co-pays, and coinsurance and prescription drug costs.  Rather than choosing the least expensive option, be sure you take your individual needs into account and choose the plan that offers the right amount of coverage too.  For example, if you expect to be going to the doctor often, or you will need several prescriptions filled on a regular basis, it is probably best to go with a plan that offers low copayments and discounted prescriptions.

In addition, be sure to look at what the plan covers.  Some individual health plans exclude maternity care in their basic policies, and others may have higher copayments for physical therapy and psychological treatment. 

Working with an experienced insurance broker can save you a lot of time and money as well.  Even if you start out with online quotes, a broker may know of other plans that offer the same coverage at a lower monthly premium.  Additionally, since most Colorado health plans require extensive medical records before they will insure an individual, a broker may be able help you assemble the records you need and keep you from going back and forth with the insurer. 

Michael Horvat is a health insurance expert and broker with HealthQuotes.com in Colorado Springs, CO. If you are searching for Colorado health insurance plans or quotes, please give Michael a call anytime at 800-345-0789.

If you live in the state of New Mexico and are in need of New Mexico health insurance, you are not alone.  Despite its relatively high rate of public funding for public health, New Mexico is the second worst state in the nation when it comes the percentage of residents with coverage.  Only 23 out of every 100 residents have a health insurance plan in New Mexico, and many are in dire need of coverage.

While the “health ranking” of the state is 29 (out of 50), according to the United Health foundation New Mexico showed the largest improvement in overall “healthiness” in 2008.  Currently, the most important issue facing the state is making New Mexico health insurance plans affordable and available to a more residents.  Strong public health funding of $132 per capita means the state is able make good health care available, which should result in increased coverage over the next few years.

How healthy is the state of New Mexico?

• In the past year, the rate of infectious disease has declined from 12.9 to 10.1 cases per 100,000 people. 
• The incidence of cancer and cardiovascular-related deaths has decreased substantially within the past year.
• The percentage of New Mexico children living in poverty has decreased by nearly 5% in the past year to 18% of residents under 18 living in poverty.

While this is good news, some recent statistics are not so promising.  New Mexico still has one of the highest violent crime rates in the country, which plays a large role in the states high rate of premature death.  This, combined with a relatively low percentage of residents graduating from high school, makes many residents incapable of buying health insurance. 

Michael Horvat is a health insurance expert and broker with HealthQuotes.com in Colorado Springs, CO. If you are searching for Colorado health insurance plans or quotes, please give Michael a call anytime at 800-345-0789.

In order to save on New Mexico health insurance plans, you will need to find the best match for your personal healthcare needs.  Being able to review quotes from a broad range of companies and compare coverage will help you make a more educated decision before you buy a health insurance policy in New Mexico.