Health Insurance Open Enrollment Begins November 1, Here’s What You Need to Know

It is this time of year that registration for health insurance is open again and begins on November 1st. This means you can renew your current plan or sign up for a new plan on the Connect for Health Colorado or Colorado Connect platforms. December 15 is the deadline to register for a start date of January 1, 2024.

For OmniSalud customers, they will not be automatically re-enrolled for a 2024 plan. If you currently have a plan and are not participating in the OmniSalud program, you can automatically re-enroll in a plan for 2024, according to a release press release of the Rural Health Network.

People are encouraged to shop around because there are more options and financial assistance available this year.

“Don’t wait. Get to the website early and make sure you can log in. You can start browsing plans on November 1st,” the press release says.

The Rural Health Network shared some tips for consumers before deciding on their health coverage this year.

• People with higher incomes may be eligible for financial assistance this year, as there is more financial assistance available.
• Families with employer-sponsored insurance may be eligible for financial assistance, even if they were not previously eligible. This is called the “family problem”: coverage is too expensive for the entire family. With this new change, families may be able to enroll with financial assistance.
• Insurance companies must keep 26-year-olds in their parents’ plan until the end of the plan year (December 31) in which they turn 26. Make sure you understand the in-network and out-of-network benefits for your adult child, especially if they live in a different state.
• This year’s Grand County carriers are: Anthem, Rocky Mountain Health Plans. United Healthcare and Denver Health Medical Plans. Denver Medical Plans does not require you to travel to Denver health care facilities, but is a subsidiary business of Denver Health.
• Here are the types of plans to expect in the Grand County market: Colorado Option, Health Savings Accounts (HSA), OmniSalud and Silver Entry Savings for Colorado Immigrants, and Peak Health Alliance.

“Grand County will have Peak Health Alliance plans in 2024. These will likely be among the least expensive plans on the market. They are provided by Denver Health Medical Plans Peak Health Alliance. The only Grand County in-network primary care providers for these plans are at Middle Park Health (all locations) and Denver Health Winter Park Medical Center at the base of Winter Park Resort,” the press release explains. “In-network providers may have a significant wait time to accept new primary care patients. At this time, Byers Peak Family Practice and Fraser Medical Clinic will not be in-network for these plans.

Price is an important factor when deciding your coverage, but Rural Health Network recommends looking at in-network health providers and pharmacy coverage.

“Please also make sure your prescriptions are covered by the plan you are considering. Price, in-network coverage and prescription coverage all impact your out-of-pocket costs,” the organization said.

To contact a broker or make an appointment with a health coverage guide, visit AssistanceNetwork.FindHelp.comConnectForHealthCO.com or call 970-725-3477.

About Grand County Rural Health Network

The Grand County Rural Health Network is a nonprofit organization serving Grand and Jackson counties and providing access, resources and support to the community so they can lead healthier lives. For more information, visit GCruralHealth.org. The organization’s guide to local health resources is available at HealthyGrandCounty.org..

Tara Alatorre is the editor-in-chief of Sky-Hi News. You can reach her at 970-557-6031 or talatorre@skyhinews.com.