The IRS has released the official 2027 limits for Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) and High Deductible Health Plans (HDHPs). The increases are relatively modest this year, but they continue to give individuals and families a way to save more money tax-free for future medical expenses. 2027 HSA Contribution Limits: 2027 HDHP Deductible Minimum: 2027 HDHP… Read more about 2027 HSA Contribution Limits Announced
Individual/Family Health
Connect for Health Colorado Is Changing How Renewals Work for 2027
The biggest change is that eligible customers will be automatically renewed into their health plan before Open Enrollment begins, rather than during Open Enrollment as part of the process used in prior years
Cigna Is Exiting the Individual Market in 2027
Cigna just announced they’re exiting the individual and family health insurance market starting in 2027. Nothing is changing right now. If you have a Cigna plan today, your coverage stays exactly the same through the end of 2026. Starting in 2027, Cigna won’t offer medical plans for individuals and families anymore. When open enrollment rolls… Read more about Cigna Is Exiting the Individual Market in 2027
When Your Health Insurance “Isn’t Working”
If you’ve ever left a doctor’s office frustrated, or stood at a pharmacy being told your prescription isn’t covered, you’re not alone. This happens all the time. It feels like the plan is broken, but in most cases, it’s something fixable once we pinpoint what’s going on. Let’s break down the usual culprits. The 4… Read more about When Your Health Insurance “Isn’t Working”
Why Does Your Insurance Company Recommend an HSA Administrator?
If you’ve enrolled in a high-deductible HSA qualified health plan, you’ve probably seen notifications from your insurance company like this: “Your plan qualifies you to set up an HSA. Enroll Now.” Just click the Enroll Now button and it’s set up. Simple, convenient, and feels like part of the package. But your insurance company didn’t… Read more about Why Does Your Insurance Company Recommend an HSA Administrator?
Picking a Colorado Health Insurance Plan
You like Kaiser? The plan you picked is Kaiser Select, which is Kaiser, but smaller and cheaper, and your doctor doesn’t take that. They take the full Kaiser network, called KP, and the smaller network is KP Select. They might take Select Health, which isn’t the same as UCHealth because UCHealth isn’t insurance, it’s a… Read more about Picking a Colorado Health Insurance Plan
Why Do I Have a $1 Premium?
Why Your Health Insurance Still Shows a One Dollar Charge, Even When Your Subsidy Covers Everything If you enroll in health insurance through Connect for Health Colorado, you might notice something strange this year. Even if your subsidy covers the entire premium, the plan still shows a price of one dollar per person per month…. Read more about Why Do I Have a $1 Premium?
Catch Up Contributions as a Couple
If you are 55 or over, you need to know the term “catch up contribution.” It sounds straightforward, but once you start thinking about how it works for two people in the same household, the details get confusing fast. Let’s break it down in a way that feels less like tax code and more like… Read more about Catch Up Contributions as a Couple
Catastrophic Plans
Who can enroll in a Catastrophic plan in 2026? What the new rules mean for adults over 30 For a long time, Catastrophic health plans were mostly limited to young adults. Unless you were under 30 or qualified for a hardship exemption, you simply couldn’t choose one, even if the lower premiums made the most… Read more about Catastrophic Plans
More Hospital Options For Kaiser Members
Kaiser Permanente has expanded hospital access across metro Denver, adding trusted locations like Rose Medical Center and St. Anthony North. Members now have more convenient options for care, including emergency, maternity, and specialty services. Learn how this update improves flexibility and keeps high-quality care close to home.
APTC Reconciliation and Form 8962
Most people who enroll in an exchange/Marketplace health plan are eligible for an advance premium tax credit (APTC). But it’s important to understand how this is reconciled with the IRS after the year is over.
Screening Colonoscopy Incorrectly Billed as Diagnostic
As long as you use an in-network facility, all costs associated with a screening colonoscopy should be paid by the health plan, including the bowel preparation drink, the facility fee, the doctor’s fee, and the anesthesiologist’s fee.
What is an Expanded Bronze Plan?
there is also an option to offer “expanded” bronze plans that can have higher AV than regular bronze plans. In order to be considered expanded bronze, a plan must
What is Silver Loading in the Connect for Health Colorado ACA Exchange?
On exchange with Silver Loading (no Cost Sharing Reduction) vs Off Exchange
Fixing the ACA’s Medicare Glitch
This article was co-written with Andrew Sprung, who writes about health care reform and health policy at xpostfactoid. Andrew has closely followed all aspects of ACA implementation over the years, and his website provides a wealth of information about health care reform. His work has also been published at healthinsurance.org and Health Affairs. For most… Read more about Fixing the ACA’s Medicare Glitch
2022 HSA Contribution Limits Announced
The IRS has released 2022 limits for HSA Contributions and High Deductible Health Plans (HDHPs). 2022 HSA Contribution Limits: Self-Only: $3,650 (up from $3,600 in 2021) Family: $7,300 (up from $7,200 in 2021) 2022 HDHP Deductible Minimum: Self-Only: $1,400 ($1,400 in 2021) Family: $2,800 ($2,800 in 2021) 2022 HDHP Out-of-Pocket Expense Maximum: Self-Only: $7,000 ($7,050… Read more about 2022 HSA Contribution Limits Announced
The American Rescue Plan and your Colorado health insurance
You may have seen headlines recently about how the American Rescue Plan (HR1319) makes health insurance more affordable for people who buy their own coverage. As always, you can reach out to me if you have questions about your specific circumstances. But I wanted to summarize some general information: Section 9662 of the American Rescue… Read more about The American Rescue Plan and your Colorado health insurance
Special enrollment window through May 15, 2021
If you’re uninsured in Colorado, you have another opportunity to enroll in health coverage for 2021. Connect for Health Colorado has opened a special enrollment window that closely mirrors the enrollment window that the Biden administration announced for states that use HealthCare.gov (DC and 14 states, including Colorado, run their own exchanges; the rest of… Read more about Special enrollment window through May 15, 2021
What if Republicans had succeeded in repeal of the Affordable Care Act?
By Andrew Sprung, David Anderson and Louise Norris On November 10, the Trump administration will ask the Supreme Court in oral argument to declare the Affordable Care Act unconstitutional – and nullify the law in the midst of a pandemic, uninsuring an estimated 23 million people. As Republicans rushed to confirm the nomination of Amy Coney Barrett… Read more about What if Republicans had succeeded in repeal of the Affordable Care Act?
2021 HSA Limits
The IRS has released 2021 limits for High Deductible Health Plans (HDHPs) and Health Savings Accounts (HSAs). 2021 HSA Contribution Limits: Self-Only: $3,600 (up from $3,550 in 2020) Family: $7,200 (up from $7,100 in 2020) 2021 HDHP Deductible Minimum: Self-Only: $1,400 ($1,400 in 2020) Family: $2,800 ($2,800 in 2020) 2021 HDHP Out-of-Pocket Expense Maximum: Self-Only:… Read more about 2021 HSA Limits
Claiming the ACA tax credit after paying full price for your health insurance
Most people know that there are premium tax credits (often referred to as premium subsidies) available for people who buy their health insurance through Connect for Health Colorado. But claiming the ACA tax credit as an advanced subsidy requires you to estimate your income for the coming year and supplying supporting documentation to verify that… Read more about Claiming the ACA tax credit after paying full price for your health insurance
Treating Employees Differently: Employer Contribution Requirements
Employers offering small business group health insurance benefits have flexibility treating employees differently as long as the contribution policy complies with the insurance company’s employer contribution requirements and basic non-discrimination laws (HIPAA and Section 125). Employers can contribute a flat dollar amount, or they can require employees to pay a set percentage or a set… Read more about Treating Employees Differently: Employer Contribution Requirements
2018 Colorado Individual/Family Market Specialist Maps
Last week, I shared charts showing how many total providers are in each individual market insurer’s network, and compared that with total enrollment for each insurer. But the total number of providers doesn’t tell the whole story. Network adequacy issues still arise for specific consumers when an insurance plan might have many primary care providers, but… Read more about 2018 Colorado Individual/Family Market Specialist Maps