Special Enrollment Period Ends March 1st

From Connect for Health CO:

Wednesday, March 1, will be the final day of the special enrollment period extended to anyone whose 2016 health plan was not available this year. We’ve seen steady increases in 2017 plan selections this month and they will number more than 180,000 by the time we close out the period. Enrollments will now be limited to those with qualifying life change events, such as the loss of employer-sponsored coverage, a marriage, a move to Colorado, the birth or adoption of a child and so on, explained here on our site. Please call me if you have questions: Jo Anne Bly 719-434-2015

Insurance after Open Enrollment / Event Change

Life Change Events

Thinking about moving, getting married or having a baby? Whether you are a new customer or you have been with us a while, when you make big decisions in life, you may be eligible to enroll or change your health insurance coverage outside of the Open Enrollment Period within 60 days of the event.

Other life changes that may allow you to apply for coverage outside of the Open Enrollment Period include but are not limited to:

• Birth of a baby, adoption of a child or placement of a child for foster care
• Change in marital status
• Move to a new permanent address in your state
• Changes in your income that affect the financial assistance you qualify for
• Change of tribal status
• Become a U.S. citizen
• Leaving incarceration
• Change of dependency status of someone on your plan
• Death of a covered member of your household
• Turning 26 and aging off your parent’s plan
• Starting/ending AmeriCorps service
• Incorrectly or inappropriately enrolled in a health plan for some reason that is not due to an error or omission on the part of Connect for Health Colorado
• Violation of the contract you had with your health insurance carrier
• Loss of an exemption to purchase health insurance coverage
• Change in affordability of employer-sponsored insurance
• Loss of minimum essential coverage

Anthem Responds to US District Court Decision with Cigna

Anthem Responds to U.S. District Court Decision on Acquisition of Cigna

February 9, 2017

As a valued business partner, we wanted to share with you important news pertaining to the outcome of the Department of Justice’s request for an injunction to block Anthem’s planned acquisition of Cigna.  Yesterday, the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia issued a decision granting the Department of Justice’s request to block Anthem’s acquisition of Cigna. Anthem is disappointed by the Court’s decision as combining Anthem and Cigna would positively impact the health and wellbeing of millions of Americans — saving them more than $2 billion in medical costs annually.  Anthem promptly intends to file a notice of appeal and request an expedited hearing of its appeal to reverse the Court’s decision so that Anthem may move forward with the merger, which was approved by over 99% of the votes cast by the shareholders of both companies.

As you know, our industry is going through a period of dynamic change. Anthem has been a leader in providing individuals with access to high quality, affordable health care and moving forward we will continue to focus on serving as America’s valued health partner, delivering superior health care services to our approximately 40 million members with greater value at less cost.

Thank you for your on-going support and partnership.

President Trump Executive Oder to Ease ACA regulatory burdens

From Anthem

President Trump’s Executive Order allows federal agencies to ease ACA regulatory burdens, states intent to repeal law

January 30, 2017

On Friday, January 20, 2017, President Trump signed an executive order instructing the Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and the heads of all other federal agencies to “exercise all authority and discretion available to them to waive, defer, grant exemptions from, or delay the implementation of any provision or requirement” of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) that would impose a fiscal or regulatory burden on individuals or families or any one of a number of other stakeholders across the health care system including health insurers and purchasers of health insurance.  

This Executive Order has no immediate impact on Anthem plans or our members’ benefits and coverage.

However, the order confirms expectations that the new Administration intends to adjust ACA regulations while it works with Congress to repeal or modify the law. It also advises the Department of Health and Human Services and all other federal agencies to prepare to give states more flexibility and control in regulating their health care market.

Regulatory action by the Department of Health and Human Services and other federal agencies is required for any changes to the ACA to take place. We expect these agencies to begin announcing such regulatory changes in the coming days and weeks.

In some cases, federal agencies with enforcement authority for ACA regulations may announce they will not enforce certain provisions of the law for a period of time.

Anthem will continue to closely monitor ACA-related actions by the President, Congress, and federal agencies and will share any decisions that impact our plans or customers.

This article applies to:

• Nevada and Colorado
• Small Group, Large Group, and Individual (under 65)