 |
Down the rabbit hole
A survival guide to the new Colorado health insurance exchange
Related story: Crying out for help
by Tracy Chamberlin
For most of us, it’s not about facts, figures or flap. Nor does it really matter how good or bad it might turn out to be.
Officially dubbed the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, and commonly called Obamacare, the new federal law governing the health care industry could be the best thing since sliced bread.
On the other hand, it could be like Prohibition, which after a few years everyone decided maybe wasn’t such a good idea.
Only time will tell which one we’ll all end up agreeing on.
And, since there’s no shortage of opinions on the matter, let’s leave all that up to the professional pundits and political prognosticators. Besides all the opinions in the world won’t help Durangoans navigate the new law or find coverage on the new health exchanges.
I happen to be one of those Durangoans. Truth is, in just a few short months my life will change forever. And I’m going to need some help with that.
My husband and I found out in June that we are expecting our first child. We are absolutely over the moon about it. But shortly thereafter we received a letter from our insurance company, saying that the plan we had was no longer going to be available. We would receive some options by Oct. 1.
How to get connected - The website above left shows the first page of the state health exchange called Connect for Health Colorado, - Above center is the page for the ‘Individuals and Families’ category. It shows the box on the right hand side that features the “Calculate Your Savings” option. - Above right is the Medicaid website, which everyone whose looking for federal tax credits or any other financial assistance must complete, coloradopeak.force.com. The general help line for the state exchange: 855-752-6749 |
Well, we’ve received those options. Currently, I pay $388 per month for a plan with a $4,000 deductible. The closest thing to that among my new options would be one that costs $636 per month with a $4,500 deductible. To avoid throwing any more numbers at you, I’ll just say I can’t pay $636 a month. Period.
With the clock ticking and my belly continuing to expand, the one thing I’m certain of is doing nothing is not an option.
Since I have no choice but to figure out how to navigate the changing world of health care, I thought, let me make the mistakes – of which I’ve made many. I can share those bumps in the road with our readers and maybe, just maybe, save them some trouble.
The No. 1 thing I’ve learned is that this is going to take some time. There are quite a few boxes to click, questions to answer and tabs to cover. Most, however, do have the button on the bottom of the page that reads “Save and Exit.”
So, you don’t have to do it all in one weekend or one night. The limit for filling out one of the applications is 30 days, and the rest don’t have a limit. So, take the 30 days. My advice is to grab a growler from your favorite local pub, a nice cup of chamomile or, my personal favorite, a mug of hot cocoa. And just take your time.
That’s not a suggestion that you should run for cover or avoid the whole thing. After all, you can’t. Eventually you’ll have to get insurance or pay the penalty.
My suggestion is just get done what you can one night, then go back and click off a few more questions the next. Before you know it the last page will flash on your computer screen and you can check out, literally.
Colorado does have its own health insurance exchange, called Connect for Health Colorado (connectfor healthco.com), so you don’t necessarily have to deal with the federal one. This doesn’t, however, mean that ours is void of technical glitches. I came across several bugs myself.
For example, once you’ve started the process there is an online chat with Customer Service option under the “Get Assistance” tab. But, I?still haven’t been able to contect to that service. It doesn’t mean it won’t ever work. After all, it is just the first week. But, these types of techy troubles are among the reasons I say that this is going to take some time. Be prepared for that.
When you first go to the Colorado website, you’ll see four boxes in the center of the page. There are four initial categories to choose from: Individuals and Families; Young Adults; Employees; and Employers.
- Employers is for business owners. It will help you choose a group plan for yourself and your employees.
- Employees is for folks who have and can get coverage through their employer and already have what’s called a “participation code.” (If you believe your supposed to get insurance through your employer, but haven’t received a code, ask your boss about it before you do anything else.)
- Young Adults is only for folks who are 18-30 years old. If you’re over 30, you’re in the next category.
- Individuals and Families is for everyone else. If you’re over 30, have a family, don’t own your own business or don’t get coverage from the business you work for, you’re in the right place.
Go ahead and click on one of those categories. Once you do, a picture will float across the top with the line “Health Insurance For” and your category underneath. Below that will be two buttons, “Learn More” and “Shop Now.”
I would highly suggest clicking the “Learn More” tab now and reading the first screen it takes you to. Yes, there is plenty of self promotion on this page. But, just skim past those parts because the next line might be the one that answers a question you’ve got or saves you a little trouble later on. And, these pages have shaded and colored boxes asking you some key questions that can help you be certain you’re in the right category.
Of course, these “Learn More” sections also offer plenty of opportunities to start tumbling down the rabbit hole.
For example, in each of the four categories is the same green box on the right side of the page titled “Additional Resources.” The third choice down is “Calculate Your Savings,” which is the one box I think folks should click on first.
It tells you what kind of federal tax credit you might be eligible for.
When I spoke to Kevin O’Connor, the health coverage guide with San Juan Basin Health, his advice was “Get real numbers.”
He said, “People should always inquire about public aid because you never know before you ask.”
And with those programs being expanded you might be eligible, even if you’ve never been eligible before.
O’Connor is one of the local contacts that can help you through the process. The official title for these folks is Health Coverage Guide. Legally, they can’t tell you which insurance company to choose, but they can answer just about any question you’ve got. And, as you travel further and further into this mad, mad world, you might just need it.
In order to “Calculate Your Savings,” you’ll be asked a few questions about your household, income and location.
It’s not too invasive. For example, it only asks for the first name of the members of your household, and it is relatively quick. In the end, it will give a number that is likely what you can take off the top of your insurance cost. And when I say off the top, I mean it.
The federal tax credits are immediately applied to the monthly cost of your coverage. You don’t have to wait, get reimbursed or deduct it from your taxes in April. You just pay that much less each month.
The next step is to choose one of two buttons at the bottom of the page, “Apply for Coverage” or “Find a Plan.”
The “Find a Plan” button is like choosing to browse without providing more personal information. You’ll click through a couple more pages and then a list of Health Insurance plans pop up with your tax credit already deducted.
The “Apply for Coverage” button will bring you to the application process, which is an entirely different story.
This is the moment I remembered the scene when Alice meets the Cheshire Cat. He suggests she visit the Mad Hatter, but she’s hesitant. Then he recommends the March Hare, but adds that he’s mad, too. Alice says she doesn’t want to hang out with mad people but the cat responds, “Almost everyone is mad here.”
And, so it was trying to fill out the application for healthcare this week. It’s definitely doable, but it will take some time.
Once you take the plunge, which could be by choosing “Apply for Coverage,” “Shop Now” or “Add to Cart,” you will be asked “Do you want to find out if you/your family can get help paying for some or all of your health insurance?”
My answer was a resounding “Yes.” And if you want the tax credit, yours will have to be as well.
Then you’re sent to Colorado Peak to apply for Medicaid, a step you must take.
Everyone wanting federal assistance, whether it’s Medicaid or tax credits will have to apply for Medicaid first. Which I have to admit, my taxes are much easier.
The entire healthcare application and enrollment process really comes down to four basic steps:
- Use the calculator to get find out what your tax credit might be
- Browse your available plans
- Go to the Colorado Peak website to apply for Medicaid
- Choose a plan and enroll
The first two steps will give you an idea of where you stand and what questions you have. The next two is more about answering a bunch of questions.
So, go ahead and take the plunge. It might feel like the first stop down the rabbit hole. That tiny little bottle that says, “Drink Me.”
But, the as the story goes Alice can’t take her first steps into the mad, mad world of Wonderland until she takes a sip and shrinks down to size.
Curiouser and curiouser.