Colorado’s Medically Underserved

1. Colorado’s Medically Underserved Gretchen Hammer March 22, 2012

2. The Underserved Today • 829,000 uninsured in 2011 • 675,000 underinsured in 2011 • Out of pocket expenses exceed 5% for those under 200% FPL, and 10% for all others • Overall, 12% of Coloradans report having no usual source of care Source: Colorado Health Access Survey, www.cohealthaccesssurvey.org

3. Health Insurance in Colorado Source: Colorado Health Access Survey, www.cohealthaccesssurvey.org

4. Uninsured Coloradans by Age More than 60% of uninsured Coloradans have been without health insurance for at least a year. Source: Colorado Health Access Survey, www.cohealthaccesssurvey.org

5. Uninsured Coloradans by Race and Gender Source: Colorado Health Access Survey, www.cohealthaccesssurvey.org

6. Uninsured by Health Statistics Region

7. What determines insurance status? • Affordability and employment • Factors important in choosing a primary health plan include: • Insurance premium cost (80%). • Deductible/co-pay amounts (80%). • Choice of providers in network (75%). • Source: Deloitte 2011 Survey of Health Care Consumers

8. Reasons for lacking insurance in CO Source: Colorado Health Access Survey, www.cohealthaccesssurvey.org

9. Usual Source of Care

10. Consumer Perspective • 76% of consumers do not have a good sense of how the health care system works! • Source: Deloitte 2011 Survey of Health Care Consumers

11. Health Care Safety Net • The Colorado Indigent Care Program is not an insurance program, but provides funding to clinics and hospitals so medical services can be provided at a discount to eligible Colorado residents. In order to apply, interested parties have to see a CICP provider. • The new Colorado Consumer Health Initiative website has a search function that compiles providers by type and zip code. • The Colorado Community Health Network also publishes a map of the community health  centers searchable by county of residence. • Mental health needs can be met either by finding a Community Mental Health Center (for anyone) or a Behavioral Health Organization (for Medicaid) in area. For both substance use and mental health needs, LinkingCare has lists of providers around the state. • Low-fee dental clinics offer affordable oral health care statewide. Find local resources at the Colorado Dental Association website.

12. Food Security • Hunger Free Colorado has a bilingual hotline available for food pantry referral and help with food assistance applications at (toll-free) 855-855-4626. • Colorado PEAK accepts applications for food and cash assistance programs. Interested parties should apply either directly via the PEAK website or ask for assistance in applying by finding an application assistance site in residence zip code.

13. Other Human Services • The 211 Colorado hotline is available for those trying to find any kind of human service resource including rent assistance, shelter, food, child care, and more. • Housing Colorado has a great housing-specific resource directory. • Family Voices Colorado has a great resource directory available for a wide variety of resources based on zip code. • Energy Outreach Colorado has energy assistance funds and energy efficiency upgrade assistance for limited-income households. • Connecting Colorado has a searchable database for job-seekers, and Colorado Department of Labor and Employment has a list of workforce centers to help with searching for employment and training services.

14. Perspective on Health Information • Source: Deloitte 2011 Survey of Health Care Consumers

15. What does this all mean? We have a lot of work to do.

16. Areas to Focus • Health and Wellness • Access to Insurance • Colorado Health Benefit Exchange • Public coverage programs • Health Insurance “Value and Effectiveness” • Community Based Delivery System Changes

17. Gretchen Hammer, Executive Director gretchen.hammer@ccmu.org