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Ready or Not-- Here Comes Health Care Reform. Presented by the Colorado Center for Nursing Excellence. Why Health Care Reform in Colorado?. Illness care vs. health care How can we address the problem? Medicaid Expansion Health Insurance Exchanges Cost Control for Everybody .
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Ready or Not--Here Comes Health Care Reform Presented by the Colorado Center for Nursing Excellence
Why Health Care Reform in Colorado? • Illness care vs. health care • How can we address the problem? • Medicaid Expansion • Health Insurance Exchanges • Cost Control for Everybody
1.5 million have no insurance or are underinsured • Most uninsured are between the ages of 19 and 64 • Uninsured rate is related to unemployment rate • Cost is the main reason for forgoing insurance • Uninsured people forego preventive care and minor illness care
Cost is the Primary Reason for Not Being Insured • Average family premium was $12,900 in 2010 • Up 48% from 2003 • Average single person premium was $4,058 in 2010 • Up 42% from 2003
Medicaid Expansion • Adults without Dependent Children (AwDC) with incomes up to $15,856 for individuals • Parents with Dependent Children with incomes between $23,786 and $32,499 for a family of four • Funding for expansion above current levels comes from the federal government until 2016
Connect for Health Colorado • Insurance exchange offices open October 1, 2013 • Insurance to be effective January 1, 2014 • Purchase online, over the phone or in person
Federal Assistance Available • Fills a gap between Medicaid eligibility and up to $90,000 for family of four • Goal is to have no more than 10% of annual income go for health insurance premiums • Assistance is in the form of a tax credit • Can only be obtained at a Connect for Health Colorado
Cost Cutting Measures • Physicians are evaluating some diagnostic testing • Individuals taking more responsibility for their health decisions • The hunt for fraud and waste is on • Plan for end-of-life care • Increase graduation rates
Take Action • Health care decisions are too important to be left to someone else • You should be able to get the care you need when you need it • Share information, talk with family and friends • Together we can make the best decisions for Colorado
Research Health Insurance Plans • healthinsurance.colorado.gov • Lists approved providers, plans, and sample rates
Is Health Care in Colorado Working? • www.projecthealthcolorado. • org • Go to this web site to join the conversation