Several new memos and Issue Briefs have recently been released by Colorado Legislative Council Staff that provide some guidance on how Colorado and federal laws address some of the issues brought about by COVID-19. Colorado Criminal Justice System Response to COVID-19 discusses the operations of the courts and correctional institutions during the outbreak. Expansion of […]
Tag: insurance
Health Insurance Enrollment Information
Open enrollment for 2020 private health insurance coverage is going on right now. If you have questions about buying or renewing private health insurance, the State of Colorado has set up several helpful websites. Connect for Health Colorado is “Colorado’s Official Health Insurance Marketplace.” Included on their website are such helpful features as “Health Insurance […]
Genetic Testing Scams Targeting Seniors
The Colorado Department of Regulatory Agencies (DORA) is warning of a new type of scam that attempts to gain access to seniors’ personal and medical information. Genetic testing services are growing in popularity. Many people are using genetic testing to learn about their family history and identify potential predisposition to diseases. DORA wants consumers, especially […]
Life Insurance Policy Locator
September is Life Insurance Awareness Month. The Colorado Department of Regulatory Agencies (DORA)’s Division of Insurance provides helpful tools on its website to assist Colorado consumers with the life insurance process. One of these, the Life Insurance Policy Locator, helps consumers locate policies belonging to deceased loved ones. “Each year, millions of dollars in life […]
Senior Health Insurance and Medicare
Navigating the many options for health insurance can be challenging, and if you’re getting close to the age where you can qualify for Medicare, you may be wondering where to start. The Colorado Division of Insurance has many helpful resources to assist you. One useful resource is their guidebook Long-Term Care Planning: Colorado Options, which […]
How To Choose an Insurance Agent
The Colorado Division of Insurance recently released a new consumer advisory, How to Choose an Insurance Agent. Here you can find helpful tips including the differences between various types of agents and brokers; what to expect when you meet with an agent for the first time; and how to decide whether to use an agent or […]
Tips for Flying Drones in Colorado
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 […]
Understanding Health Insurance
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 […]
Is Your House on Shaky Ground?
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 […]
Health First Colorado Member Information
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 […]
Child Health Plan Plus (CHP+)
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, […]
New Laws in Effect January 1
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 […]
Colorado Medicaid is now Health First Colorado
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 […]
Winter Weather and Insurance
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. […]
Helpful Videos on Health 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,” […]
Insurance Tips for Storm Damage
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 […]
Colorado Flood and Wildfire Awareness Week
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 […]
Replacing Important Papers
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 […]
Get Ready for Health Insurance Changes
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 […]
How to Register for Disaster Assistance
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 […]