Colorado's Uninsured Population

Colorado's uninsured rate — the percentage of people without health care coverage — hit an all-time low of 4.6% in 2023, down from 6.6% in 2021. This decrease is largely due to an increase in people covered by Medicaid, the joint state-federal program that serves people from low-income families. In 2023, around 30% of people in Colorado were covered by Medicaid, a significant increase from 18.7% in 2019. However, federal policy changes and the end of the COVID-19 safety net may impact the number of people who can remain on Medicaid, causing uncertainty about whether this low uninsured rate is sustainable.

Colorado's uninsured rate dropped to 4.6% in 2023, down from 6.6% in 2021

Colorado's uninsured rate has dropped to 4.6% in 2023, a significant decrease from 6.6% in 2021, according to the Colorado Health Institute's biannual Colorado Health Access Survey. This survey is considered the gold standard for tracking changes in insurance coverage in Colorado and polled 10,000 households. The decline in the uninsured rate is attributed to an increase in people covered by Medicaid, the joint state-federal program serving primarily low-income families.

Before the COVID-19 pandemic, in 2019, about 18.7% of people in Colorado were covered by Medicaid. By 2021, that number had increased to 24.8%, and in 2023, it rose further to 30%, meaning three out of every ten people in the state were covered by Medicaid. This increase in Medicaid coverage was a result of federal government instructions to states during the worst months of the pandemic to maintain Medicaid coverage and not drop anyone from the program. This safety net was ended as the pandemic eased, and now, hundreds of thousands of people in Colorado are expected to lose their Medicaid coverage as eligibility redeterminations take place.

While the decrease in the uninsured rate is positive news, it is uncertain whether this trend will continue in light of these federal policy changes. The Colorado Health Institute's 2023 survey data likely does not reflect the impacts of the redetermination process, and the state's uninsured rate may increase again as people lose their Medicaid coverage.

Furthermore, while the overall uninsured rate in Colorado has decreased, disparities exist across the state. The uninsured rate in mountain resort communities, such as Summit, Grand, Eagle, Pitkin, and Garfield counties, was estimated to be 12% in 2023, up from 10% in the 2021 survey.

The Colorado Health Institute's findings highlight the importance of health insurance in accessing healthcare and the impact of policy decisions on coverage rates. While the decrease in the uninsured rate is encouraging, maintaining and expanding access to health insurance for all Coloradans remains a critical goal.

Colorado's Medicaid program, Health First Colorado, provides free or low-cost coverage for adults without kids and parents

Colorado's uninsured rate—the percentage of people without health care coverage—hit an all-time low in 2023, dropping to 4.6% from 6.6% in 2021. This decrease was driven by an increase in people covered by Medicaid. Despite this positive development, federal policy changes and the end of pandemic-era safety nets mean that it is unclear whether Colorado's uninsured rate will continue to decrease.

Health First Colorado, Colorado's Medicaid program, is a crucial component of the state's efforts to expand healthcare access. Health First Colorado provides free or low-cost health care for Colorado children and adults who qualify. This includes adults without kids and parents, who may now qualify for free or low-cost coverage. The program covers a wide range of services, including doctor visits, hospital stays, emergency room and urgent care, prescription drugs, dental services, behavioural and mental health services, x-rays and blood work, well-child visits, maternity care, and newborn care.

Enrollment in Health First Colorado is open year-round, and individuals can apply online, over the phone, in person, or by mail. To qualify for Health First Colorado, applicants must meet specific monthly income requirements established by the state of Colorado and the federal government. The approximate monthly family income to qualify for Health First Colorado is up to $6,819, as of April 2024.

In addition to Health First Colorado, Connect for Health Colorado, the state's official health insurance marketplace, offers another avenue for individuals to obtain health insurance. Connect for Health Colorado allows residents to shop for health plans, compare prices, and access financial assistance to lower their health care costs. Open enrollment for Connect for Health Colorado typically occurs from November 1 to January 15, but individuals who experience qualifying life events, such as losing job-based coverage, getting married, or having a baby, can enroll outside of this period.

Connect for Health Colorado is the state's official health insurance marketplace, offering financial assistance for those who qualify

Colorado's uninsured rate, or the percentage of people without health care coverage, reached an all-time low in 2023, dropping to 4.6% from 6.6% in 2021. This decrease was driven by a surge in the number of people covered by Medicaid, which is known as Health First Colorado in the state. However, federal policy changes and the end of the COVID-19 pandemic safety net may cause this trend to reverse.

Connect for Health Colorado is the state's official health insurance marketplace, where most Coloradans can get health insurance. It is the only place where residents can apply for financial help to lower the cost of private health insurance. This financial assistance is called a Premium Tax Credit. The Connect for Health Colorado marketplace allows residents to shop from a variety of insurance companies, compare prices, and estimate savings.

Open Enrollment for 2025 begins on November 1, 2024, and ends on January 15, 2025. During this period, residents can buy a health insurance plan and see if they qualify for financial assistance. Outside of Open Enrollment, individuals who experience a qualifying life change event, such as losing job-based coverage, getting married, or having a baby, can still get covered.

Colorado also has other programs that provide financial assistance for healthcare. The Health Access Program at CHN, for example, assists individuals living with HIV or utilising PrEP as an HIV prevention strategy. The program is available to Colorado residents with an income of less than 500% of the Federal Poverty Level.

Colorado's health insurance options include private plans, Medicaid, short-term health insurance, and health care sharing ministry plans

In 2023, Colorado's uninsured rate—the percentage of people without health care coverage—hit an all-time low of 4.6%, down from 6.6% in 2021. However, federal policy changes mean it's unclear whether this success can last.

Private Health Insurance Plans

Most Coloradans can obtain private health insurance through Connect for Health Colorado, the state's official health insurance marketplace. This platform allows residents to shop for insurance plans, compare prices, and see estimated savings. Connect for Health Colorado also helps residents determine if they qualify for financial assistance to lower their health care costs. It is the only place where residents can apply for Premium Tax Credits to lower the cost of private health insurance. Open enrollment typically occurs in November, but residents can still purchase insurance outside of this period if they experience a qualifying life event, such as losing job-based coverage, getting married, or having a baby.

Medicaid (Health First Colorado)

Health First Colorado is Colorado's Medicaid program, a joint state-federal initiative that serves individuals from low-income families. Enrollment is open year-round, and residents can apply online, over the phone, in person, or by mail. Health First Colorado covers a wide range of services, including doctor visits, hospital stays, emergency care, prescription drugs, dental and mental health services, and more. More adults without children and parents may now qualify for free or low-cost coverage under this program.

Short-Term Health Insurance

Short-term health insurance plans are available in Colorado for those who need temporary coverage. These plans typically have lower premiums but may not cover pre-existing conditions or provide the same comprehensive benefits as regular health insurance plans.

Health Care Sharing Ministry Plans

Health care sharing ministry plans are another option for Colorado residents. These plans are typically offered by religious or faith-based organizations, where members agree to share the cost of each other's medical expenses. These plans are generally less expensive than traditional insurance but may not cover the same range of services.

Colorado also offers the Colorado Option, which provides affordable and rich benefit plans for small businesses and consumers. These plans aim to lower premiums by 15% by 2025 and improve access, affordability, and equity in health insurance.

Colorado's strict regulations on short-term health insurance mean that no insurers currently offer these plans in the state

As of 2023, Colorado's uninsured rate—the percentage of people without health care coverage—was at an all-time low of 4.6%, down from 6.6% in 2021. This decrease was driven by an increase in people covered by Medicaid, which is a joint state-federal program serving people from low-income families.

Despite this positive trend, Colorado's uninsured rate remained higher in mountain resort communities. The health statistics region that includes Summit, Grand, Eagle, Pitkin, and Garfield counties had an estimated uninsured rate of 12% in 2023, up from 10% in 2021.

While Colorado's health care laws have helped more people access insurance, there are still some residents who do not have coverage. One factor contributing to this could be the state's strict regulations on short-term health insurance, which have made it unviable for insurers to offer these plans.

In 2019, Colorado tightened its requirements for short-term health plans, making it more difficult for insurers to operate in the state. As a result, no insurers currently offer short-term health insurance plans in Colorado. The state's regulations include the following provisions:

• Short-term plans have to charge older adults no more than three times as much as younger adults.
• Short-term plans must be guaranteed issue, meaning insurers cannot reject applicants based on their medical history.
• Short-term plans can exclude pre-existing conditions, but only if they were diagnosed, treated, or symptomatic in the previous 12 months.
• Short-term plans must cover state-mandated healthcare benefits and the ACA's essential health benefits, including prescription drugs and mental health care.
• Short-term plans must have a medical loss ratio of at least 80%.

While short-term health insurance can be a more affordable option for those who don't require regular medical care, the strict regulations in Colorado have made it challenging for insurers to offer these plans. As a result, residents seeking health coverage in the state will need to explore other options, such as ACA-compliant plans, Medicaid, or private insurance plans.

Frequently asked questions