Health Insurance Assistance

Currently, due to COVID-19, all health coverage appointments are being held by phone and online.

How do I schedule an appointment?

To schedule a one-on-one appointment for free, “in-person” assistance:

• Call 303-441-1000
• Email healthcoverage@bouldercounty.org
• Click on “Get Assistance” tab above and fill out form

What do I need to bring to my appointment?

When you apply for Medicaid or financial assistance (tax credits) through Connect for Health Colorado® you’ll need to provide some information about you and your household, including income and any insurance you currently have.

• Name, address, contact information
• Login information for Peak and/or Connect for Health Colorado accounts
• Social Security number
• Birth dates
• Tax filing status
• Income information including your employer’s name, dates of employment, monthly/annual gross income
• If self-employed prepare to provide your monthly/annual gross income, net income and business expenses prior to the appointment
• Information and policy numbers for health insurance plans
• Preferred health care providers
• Disability, asset and expense information (if applicable)

Note: If you have access to insurance through your employer, let’s talk! If the insurance your employer offers is considered affordable you may not qualify for help paying your premiums. We will need to know how much the premiums are and the amount your employer contributes to figure it out.

You may still be eligible to enroll outside of Open Enrollment in a 60 day Special Enrollment Period if you have one of the following Life Change Events:

Have questions? Make an appointment with a Health Coverage Guide.

Health Insurance Marketplace

Sometimes referred to as “the exchange”, Connect for Health Colorado is the state’s health insurance Marketplace. Individuals, families and small employers can shop for and buy health insurance through the Connect for Health Colorado website. Boulder County is a Certified Connect for Health Colorado Assistance Site and has trained Health Coverage Guides to help residents enroll in health insurance. Call 303-441-1000 or email healthcoverage@bouldercounty.org for more information or to make an appointment with a Health Coverage Guide.

Marketplace Helps People Who Are Not Eligible for Medicaid or Employer Based Coverage

With one application individuals and families can be evaluated for their eligibility for Medicaid/CHP+ and tax credits to help pay for private insurance in the Marketplace. The Marketplace is for U.S. citizens, legal permanent residents and all other lawfully present immigrants who currently buy insurance on their own, who are uninsured, or don’t have access to affordable coverage through their employer. Note: Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) permit holders are not eligible.

Tax Credit Lowers Your Monthly Premium

If you are eligible for tax credits they can be applied directly to your monthly premiums in order to reduce your monthly payment. Tax credits are calculated by the Marketplace using your estimated 2019 household income. Use Connect for Health’s Quick Cost and Plan Finder Tool to estimate your tax credit amount. To find out what counts as gross income, visit Health Reform: Beyond the Basics to see the formula for calculating Modified Adjusted Gross Income (MAGI).

Financial Assistance Reduces the Cost of Insurance

Financial assistance in the form of tax credits and cost share reductions is available for plans purchased through Connect for Health Colorado. Many households assume they earn too much to qualify. A household of four earning up to $100,400 may still qualify for financial assistance to reduce the costs of premiums. Not sure about your household’s eligibility? Meet with a Health Coverage Guide to see if your family qualifies for tax credits.

Learn More

Health Care Reform: The Affordable Care Act Remains the Law

The passage of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act in 2010 created a number of changes in the private and public health insurance system. The Affordable Care Act remains the law and the requirements, financial assistance, and protections put forth by the Act are still in place.

Key Changes Are Still in Place

Insurance Requirements

The 2014 federal law that mandated that all individuals are required to have health insurance remains in effect. The only change to the law is that the penalty for being uninsured will not be in effect in 2019. There continue to be exemptions to the requirement, including people who have certain religious beliefs, people who are members of a federally recognized tribe or who cannot find an affordable health plan. People who are not lawfully present in the United States and people who are incarcerated are also not subject to the mandate. Health insurance in universally considered a cornerstone to protecting your physical and financial health.

More People Are Accessing Affordable Insurance

In 2017 Boulder County saw a historically low rate of just 4% of residents remaining uninsured. Maintain your coverage with the financial benefits available.

Tax Resources

There are three forms for you and the IRS to use that indicate your insurance coverage history each year.

1095-A

Individuals who have obtained insurance through the Marketplace will receive this form showing their months of coverage and any applicable tax credits.

1095-B

Individuals who have been covered by Medicaid or CHP+ will receive this form showing their months of coverage.

1095-C

Individuals who were offered coverage through their employer will receive this form indicating the months for which they were eligible for coverage. In some cases, the form also includes information on whether individuals and dependents were enrolled in health coverage offered by their employer. The employer is also expected to report this information to the IRS.

Form 8965

This form is used to show gaps in coverage and to apply for exemptions to the tax penalty for not having coverage.

Form 8962

This form is used to calculate your final tax credit amount based on your actual income earned. This information is then reconciled to the tax credits that were paid out on your behalf during the year based on the income estimate you used when you applied for assistance.

If you had Marketplace coverage in 2019 you should receive your 1095-A form by the end of February 2020. You can access your 1095-A form through your Connect for Health account in the “My Documents” section.

If you had Medicaid or CHP+ in 2019 you should receive your 1095-B form by the end of February 2020. You can access your 1095-B form through your PEAK account in the “Communications” section.

Tax Information Resources:

Publications

Medicaid Expansion

In January 2014, Medicaid eligibility requirements expanded to 133% of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL) for all individuals. Colorado Medicaid already covered children up to 133% FPL, so the expansion increased coverage for parents with Medicaid-eligible children and to adults without dependent children.

Increase in Eligibility

The expansion means that Coloradans earning an income up to 133% of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL) will be eligible for Medicaid. See the current income limits for Colorado Medicaid . Children and pregnant women who are over income for Medicaid may be eligible for CHP+ Find out if you are Medicaid eligible and apply for benefits online by accessing Colorado PEAK

Learn More

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