Whether for fun or for business, unmanned aircraft systems (UAS), commonly known as drones, are a hot new tool that’s growing in popularity. But before you set your drone in flight, you should be aware of safety precautions, laws and regulations, and insurance information. The Colorado Department of Transportation’s website contains a helpful webpage, Fly […]
Open enrollment for individual insurance plans is coming up in November, and many employers also conduct open enrollment during the fall. Whichever type of plan you are enrolling in, it helps to know your options. The Colorado Department of Regulatory Agencies (DORA) has some helpful information on their website, including Key Health Insurance Definitions, newly […]
Ground subsidence problems are very real in Colorado. Whether from naturally occurring elements in the soil or from the effects of Colorado’s mining history, the ground in certain parts of Colorado is susceptible to settling, collapsing, expanding, heaving, or swelling, all of which can have potentially hazardous effects on structures. So how do you know […]
If you are one of the 1,276,946 members of Health First Colorado, the state’s Medicaid program, there are many resources available online to help you understand your benefits and services under the program. For an overview, see the Member Handbook, available in both English and Spanish. You can also view a benefits and services chart […]
Depending on federal budget actions, the Child Health Plan Plus (CHP+), a low-cost health plan for qualifying children and pregnant women, could be eliminated. This month the Colorado General Assembly’s Joint Budget Committee approved short-term funding that extends CHP+ at least until the end of February. The Colorado Department of Health Care Policy and Financing, […]
On New Year’s Day several new laws, passed during the 2016 and 2017 legislative sessions, went into effect. The new laws are: HB16-1387, Health Insurance for Protein Allergic Conditions SB17-065, Transparency in Direct Pay Health Care Prices SB17-088, Participating Provider Network Selection Criteria HB17-1220, Prevent Marijuana Diversion to Illegal Market HB17-1231, Market Conduct Examinations Insurance […]
Medicaid in Colorado has a new name — Health First Colorado. The name change was implemented in part to help eliminate confusion between Medicaid and Medicare. Medicaid is still the name of the federal program, however. Medicaid is one of the largest chunks of the Colorado state budget, so this name change will affect many […]
Three days after the coming of spring, Colorado returned to winter today with a major blizzard. If you find yourself needing to make an insurance claim, whether it be from an auto accident, a personal injury, or damage to your home, be sure to read the Colorado Division of Insurance’s Winter Mishaps and Your Insurance. […]
Under the Affordable Care Act many consumers are purchasing health insurance on their own. If you’re new to the process, it can seem daunting. The State of Colorado, however, has provided several helpful videos to help make the process easier. Videos include “Shop and Compare,” “How Health Insurance Premiums are Determined,” “From Coverage to Care,” […]
Many of us received heavy rains and hail this weekend, potentially causing damage to roofs, cars, etc. If you experienced damage to your property during the recent storms, the Colorado Division of Insurance has issued the following tips which you may find beneficial. Consumer Alert: Five insurance tips for storm damage Division of Insurance can […]
In 2013 Colorado experienced the twin disasters of wildfires and floods on an especially large scale. Now, it is time to take the lessons learned from these disasters and prepare for this year, as summer — fire and flood season — is just a few months away. Therefore, this week has been designated Colorado Flood […]
Did you lose any of your important personal papers in the recent flooding? If so, you may be scrambling to remember everything that needs to be replaced, as well as figuring out where to go to get replacements. The Colorado Division of Emergency Management has addressed this problem by posting a list on their blog with […]
Health insurance laws are changing January 1. If you’re a Colorado resident with questions about the new laws, the State of Colorado has set up a new site, http://www.cohealthinfo.com/, that explains the new laws in easy-to-understand language and videos. The site addresses the questions I have health insurance. What do I need to know? and […]
The Colorado Division of Emergency Management has made available this helpful guide to how to register with FEMA and SBA for disaster assistance following last week’s devastating floods. Included here, you can find a list of what disaster aid will cover, as well as maps of disaster assistance centers. The site also includes fact sheets […]
If a fire, flood, tornado, or other disaster destroyed your home, would you be able to report to the insurance company everything you lost? Unless you have completed a home inventory, the answer is probably “no.” Luckily, taking an inventory of the contents of your home can be easy, thanks to the Colorado Division […]
A new publication from the Colorado Dept. of Public Health & Environment’s Health Statistics Section, Public Versus Private Health Insurance in Colorado at a Glance, offers consumers a look at the various aspects of both types of health insurance. Specifically, the publication gives the results of a study to “1)identify the proportion of the population reporting varying […]
Five laws came into effect on January 1, 2012. Descriptions of the laws from the Digest of Bills are as follows: H.B. 11-1100 Military education, training, and service experience credit for license and certification The act requires the director of the division of registrations and the state examining and licensing boards to accept education, training, […]
Attention Seniors: The Colorado Dept. of Regulatory Agencies is going to be holding a public webinar on January 25, 2012, called “Medicare 101.” (Click here to sign up – space is limited). This online presentation will give you helpful tips and information, whether for those just starting Medicare, or those who are already receiving Medicare […]
In 2008, the Legislature passed HB 1385, which required a consumer guide to insurance be published on the web. The result of this legislation is How to Choose Insurance that is Right for You: A Guide for Colorado Consumers. This guide helps consumers choose from all types of insurance, including health, auto, home, life, and […]
As the legislature struggles to balance the budget in these difficult economic times, they have started to look toward the State’s workers’ compensation fund, Pinnacol Assurance. A Joint Budget Committee bill, SB09-273, would, if passed, change the laws “to allow the State to make use of certain funds authorized by statute to be collected by […]
According to the Colorado Water Conservation Board, Flood Protection Program web site, there are estimated to be 65,000 homes and 15,000 commercial, industrial, and business structures in identified floodplains. There are likely many more structures located within unmapped flood hazard areas. To learn more about the Flood Protection Program go to their website and check […]