Colorado State Health Insurance
For many, living in Colorado is like living in a veritable paradise with all its mountains, parks, and skiing adventures. Sometimes, unfortunately, health issues arise and without good health insurance, a family may have mountains of medical bills that mount up to overshadow the joys of Colorado living. Thankfully Colorado ranks #8 in the nation in the health insurance realm, providing polices that make sure residents will not be left with mountains of bills to look at instead of the beautiful Rockies.
What Options are Available?
In Colorado, just like any other state, there are all sorts of insurance options. Determining the best plan and the best value depends upon the needs of every individual or family. FFS (fee-for-service) plans are the least popular in Colorado, because there are so many PPO (preferred-provider organization) and HMO (health maintenance organization) plans available which are generally better in value. Some residents choose to enact a Health Savings Account (HAS) which is coupled with a high deductible health insurance plan, resulting in coverage that is comprehensive, yet affordable. To help figure out what type of plan to choose, considering the quality of the medical care, the plan’s coverage, and how much the premiums will be, is a good way to determine which policy to apply for. And it’s good to keep in mind that skimping on cost is not always wise, because it may mean less coverage and more expenses left to be paid out of pocket in the long run. Bottom-line is, in Colorado, chances are high that residents will find a policy that works well for them.
What if I can’t afford or am denied coverage?
Anyone who cannot afford one of the type of health-care policies mentioned above, or is denied coverage on the grounds of a pre-existing medical condition, may apply for insurance through the State of Colorado. To apply, every individual is subject to a complete medical examination and must fill out forms which provide their financial information to the State. There is then a waiting period of up to six months before medical services may be covered. In the case of an emergency however, there are exceptions. For example, if there is a child who was just diagnosed with cancer and the family is not able to get insurance elsewhere, they may apply for and generally receive full coverage for any expenses incurred. This insurance is not just limited to those with pressing needs, but is offered to any individual, family, child, or senior citizen living within the state of Colorado who meet a certain criteria.
What are the Pros and Cons?
The State of Colorado recently had a 19% increase in public health funding, which means more coverage will be available for more people. Perhaps this will help to provide better prenatal care for pregnant women as Colorado has consistently received low marks in this area in the past. And it is a good thing that there is insurance available through the State, because Colorado law unfortunately allows insurers offering individual policies to turn away those with pre-existing medical conditions. Though there have been statewide insurance struggles to obtain good maternity coverage and denials of coverage due to pre-existing medical conditions, Colorado State health insurance in general offers coverage for every one of its residents through individual or group policies via private companies or the State. Colorado demonstrates through programs, like the Senior Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) which provides free counseling for those with questions regarding Medicare, that Colorado cares about the healthcare needs of its residents. And hopefully, with the peace of mind that good health insurance brings, the only mountains around will be the magnificent Rockies. To find out what Colorado can offer you enter your zip code at the top of the page for a free health insurance quote.