Joan Henneberry is the project director for the Colorado Health Insurance Exchange with the Colorado Health Institute.
As we mark the one-year anniversary of the signing of the Affordable Care Act of 2010 (ACA), Colorado is making big strides in planning for a state-based health insurance exchange.
An exchange is intended as a marketplace for purchasing health insurance. It is voluntary for both the individual and the employer who can choose to come to this new marketplace or continue to purchase coverage in the marketplace outside of an exchange.
The exchange will give consumers and small employers more control and a wider choice of products. Ideally, it will offer world class customer service and make it easier for people who want and need insurance to buy the product best for them and their family.
Like most other states, Colorado received a planning grant to begin designing the exchange, engage stakeholders to advise and direct activities and conduct background research on potential customers. The state also will develop operational plans so the exchange will be ready by 2014.
Since January, I have conducted dozens of outreach and educational sessions to more than 500 people. I will travel across the state and conduct even more sessions throughout the year.
I get lots of questions about this new thing called an "exchange," but here are some of my favorite and most common:
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Why are we planning for health reform? I thought the federal law was overturned already. Didn't the courts rule it unconstitutional?
No, the ACA has not been overturned. And yes, there are several cases in the courts where parts or all of the law are being challenged. It is expected that the Supreme Court will rule on the constitutionality of the ACA in 2012. Since we heard loud and clear from a large group of diverse stakeholders that it would be best if Colorado built its own exchange (rather than defaulting to the federal government), we think it's best to proceed. If we stop or slow down we'll never be ready to help the uninsured get coverage in 2014.
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I like the idea of a new marketplace to buy insurance if and when I need it. When can I buy?
The ACA requires states to begin offering benefits to exchange customers on Jan. 1, 2014. In the meantime, we have a lot of planning and preparation to do. People who are currently uninsured in Colorado should explore whether they or their children are eligible for public insurance like Medicaid, Child Health Plan Plus (or CHP+) and the Colorado Indigent Care Program. You might also be eligible for the new high risk pool, Getting Us Covered.
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Who are the main customers of the exchange going to be in 2014?
The primary customers will be people who are uninsured, who want to buy insurance, and who might be eligible for federal tax credits to help them cover the cost of the premiums. The other primary customers will be small employers who don't currently provide coverage because they say it's cost-prohibitive to do so. Small employers will get tax credits for obtaining coverage and get a selection of plans to choose from in the exchange.
What do you think about this idea of a new marketplace to help people choose insurance if they need or want to buy? Post your ideas in the comment box below. Please note that comments will be open for two weeks from the initial post date. Follow the Foundation's work on Facebook and Twitter.
I hope this happens soon. I pay for my own coverage, but at an absurdly high rate (over 50% of my net income). I'd buy coverage elsewhere if there were lower-cost options, but there aren't any now - at least not without exclusions for pre-existing conditions - and with those exclusions, the coverage is nearly worthless.
Posted by: Jerry Weiss | 03/24/2011 at 01:22 PM