News

Health Insurance Changes for Coloradoans

Healthcare insurance in Colorado is changing. As of October 1st many Coloradans will be eligible based on income to reduce the cost of private health insurance through Connect for Health Colorado. Many will also be newly eligible for Medicaid in 2014. Additionally eligible children and pregnant women will still be able to get insurance through Child Health Plan Plus (CHP+).

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services have issued the following helpful tips regarding the new insurance exchanges launching this fall:

1. If you don't already have health coverage the Health Insurance Marketplace is a new way to find and buy health coverage that fits your budget and meets your needs.
2. Open Enrollment starts October 1 2013 and ends on March 31 2014. Plans and prices will be available then. Coverage starts as soon as January 1 2014.
3. Not only can you view and compare health insurance options online but with one simple application you can have those options tailored to your personal situation and find out if you might be eligible based on your income for financial assistance to lower your costs.
4. The same application will let you find out if you and your family members might qualify for free or low-cost coverage available through Medicaid or the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP).
5. The information is all available online but you can apply 4 ways: online by phone by mail or in-person with the help of a trained assister or navigator.
6. Each health plan will generally offer comprehensive coverage including a core set of essential health benefits like doctor visits preventive care maternity care hospitalization prescription drugs and more.
7. No matter where you live there will be a Marketplace in your state offering plans from private companies where you'll be able to compare your health coverage options based on price benefits quality and other features important to you before you make a choice.
8. Health insurance companies selling plans through the Marketplace can't deny you coverage or charge you more due to pre-existing health conditions and they can't charge women and men different premiums based on their gender.
9. Marketplaces will be operated by your state the federal government or a partnership of the two but each Marketplace will give you the same access to all of your Marketplace coverage options.
10. For more information visit HealthCare.gov. Or call the Health Insurance Marketplace Call Center at (800) 318-2596 24 hours a day 7 days a week. TTY users should call (855) 889-4325.

Additional Resources in English

• Health insurance options specific to Eagle County: Health Insurance Options and Assistance | Eagle County (pdf)
• Medicaid & Child Health Plan Plus (CHP+) Incomes Handout 
• Medicaid Coverage Brochure
• Medicaid Will Help More Coloradans Handout
• Parent Handout

Additional Resources in Spanish

• Medicaid & Child Health Plan Plus (CHP+) Incomes Handout
• Medicaid Coverage Brochure
• Medicaid Will Help More Coloradans Handout
• Parent Handout

As a community hospital and with the goal of providing superior health services aligned to the needs of Eagle County residents and visitors Vail Valley Medical Center is proud to accept Medicare Medicaid and Health Insurance Marketplace plans.