Best health insurance in Colorado 2023

Last modified: September 8, 2021

Opting for health insurance is a smart decision for all people living in the US. In fact, some states in the US have strict laws relating to health insurance. Health insurance is a form of coverage that covers either whole or part of a person’s medical expenses resulting from sickness, injury, or hospitalization. It basically provides you financial protection from the rising costs of emergency healthcare and medical bills.

Like several other states in the US, you can also find a number of health insurance options in the state of Colorado. Fortunately, you have many options to choose from if you are a resident of this state. Whether you are looking for a low-cost health insurance plan or a customized package, you can easily find the type of coverage you require according to your needs on the Colorado health insurance marketplace.

Some of the best health insurance in Colorado include Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield, Bright Health, Cigna, Friday, etc. This blog post will explain everything you need to know about getting health insurance in Colorado. Make sure to look at our list of best health insurance providers to inform you before you decide which provider is best for your specific needs. 

List of Providers and Comparison of Plans

There are several health insurance providers in Colorado. Each company offers various plans with unique features for every individual. Here is a list of our top picks for Colorado health insurance companies and the plans offered:  

Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield

Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield is a top health insurance provider in the state of Colorado. It provides health insurance plans for individuals as well as the entire family. The best thing about Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield is that they offer affordable plans for you and your family so that you can benefit from quality health insurance even if you are on a budget.

Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield offers basic health insurance, dental insurance, vision insurance, travel medical insurance, group health insurance, supplemental insurance, Medicare, and Medicaid. You can visit their website to get more details about these plans.

Bright Health

Bright health is a great health insurance option for families in Colorado, operating with an aim to make you feel good about your health. The company offers several types of health insurance plans that are easy to understand and are also very affordable. Here are some of the plans they offer:

  • Gold Plans

This plan is for people wishing to use their coverage frequently. For instance, if you have frequent provider visits or get frequent prescriptions.

  • Silver Plans

These plans are ideal for individuals who wish to use their plans on certain occasions and want lower deductibles.

  • Bronze Plans

Bronze plans offer lower premiums and higher costs with use. So if you want to minimize your premium and are willing to risk high deductibles in the event of a high-cost health incident, this insurance plan is the right choice for you.

  • Catastrophic Plans

This is best for individuals who are under 30 since it requires very low premiums and expects minimal medical incidents.  

Cigna

Cigna is a global health care service provider dedicated to helping people take care of their health and well-being. It offers a broad range of health care plans to target the unique needs and requirements of every individual. Cigna health insurance offers individual health insurance, Medicare, and dental insurance. Below are the details of each metal tier plan offered and the monthly premium for different age groups.

 Friday Health

Friday health insurance is ideal for individuals and small businesses who want to buy their own health insurance plan. They aim to provide affordable packages and plans to people who want to stay healthy and require coverage for whenever they get sick or hurt. Some popular health plans offered by Friday Health include Friday bronze, Friday catastrophic, and Friday gold.

Denver Health

Denver Health offers low-cost health insurance plans and is committed to providing high-quality services for more than 15 years. Elevate Health Plans are individual products offered by Denver Health to protect your and your family’s health.

Kaiser Permanente

Kaiser Permanente is committed to improving the health of its customers and their families. It has many subsidies and is focused on making lives healthier. Here are some of the options you can choose from:

  • Classic Plan

This plan includes unlimited doctor visits, emergency room services, after-hour visits, and generic drugs.

  • Essential Plan

This plan offers co-pay options for covered outpatient services. However, there is no co-pay after you meet your yearly deductible. It covers office visits, outpatient services, and generic prescription drugs.

  • Advantage Plan

This plan offers doctor’s office visits, after hour visits, generic prescription drugs against co-pay. There is no co-pay after you meet your yearly deductible.

Rocky Mountain Health

Rocky Mountain Health insurance plans provide quality health care and personalized attention to customers. They provide comprehensive coverage according to every individual’s needs.

  • RMPH Plans

This plan provides a network of high-quality local providers at a low cost with urgent emergency care services.

Oscar

Good health insurance options are difficult to find. Oscar is one of the best insurance companies in Colorado. It provides comprehensive coverage plans to individuals and families across the state. You can visit their website for more details.

Cheapest Health Insurance Plan by Cities in Colorado

Fortunately, it is not very difficult to find affordable health insurance in Colorado. Here is a list of different cities in Colorado and the cost of the cheapest health insurance plans:

City Rates
Denver $173.04
Colorado Springs $254
Aurora $100
Fort Collins $447
Lakewood $302

 

Average Cost of Health Insurance by Family Size in Colorado

The average health insurance cost in Colorado for an individual is $369, whereas the average health insurance cost for a family is $1,634. The average cost of health insurance for a married couple in Colorado is $1,226.

Furthermore, the cost of health insurance for a family of four is $25,000 for the year in premiums and deductibles. This breaks down to an average of $2,083.

Colorado Health Insurance Guide and Resources

While choosing the health insurance plan in Colorado, it is important to understand the different types of health insurance plans available. There are various ways in which an individual can avail of health insurance in Colorado.

Medicare

This is a government-sponsored program that offers affordable health insurance to people with disabilities. The individual has to be over 65 years of age in order to benefit from this type of insurance.

Employer-Sponsored Group Plan

Many US residents get health insurance from their employers. The main benefit of this form of health insurance is that employers can enjoy a discount on group insurance, which also lowers the cost of the monthly premiums they have to pay.

Medicaid

This is another health insurance program sponsored by the government to support low-income families. Also known as CHIP, the program offers low-cost, cash-free health insurance to children who live in Colorado. However, the program is only available for children who meet the eligibility requirements. CHIP covers dental insurance, immunizations, and routine checkups.

Private Insurance Coverage

Individuals living in Colorado can also opt for private insurance coverage. You can browse various private insurance coverage plans offered by insurance providers at affordable rates.

Tips to Save on Health Insurance in Colorado

The following are some of the factors that contribute to the cost of premiums that you have to pay for health insurance in Colorado:

Body Mass Index (BMI)

There are serious health concerns linked to low or high BMI; therefore, insurance companies have to check and analyze an individual’s BMI to determine the risk profile they carry. This, in turn, determines the premium amount to be paid. A high BMI will subsequently result in high premiums.

Tobacco use

People who smoke have a higher risk of falling prey to potential health problems. Therefore, these individuals also have to bear extra costs for the premium.

Age

Age is also an important factor in determining the risk and premium amount for an individual. The coverage amount can be at least three times higher for older individuals since they carry a high-risk factor compared to younger individuals.

Location

The location is also an important factor in deciding the premium amount in Colorado. Each city in the state has its own rules and regulations that need to be followed; thus, an individual can expect a higher price for states that have high chances of claims.

Cost-sharing reductions

Cost-sharing reductions, such as employer-based insurance coverage plans, are a great source of savings for individuals looking to save money while getting the best health insurance in Delaware.

Should you apply as a family or as an individual?

This depends on the needs of an individual and the family. It is always better to do your own research before deciding which type and form of insurance to opt for.

Pre-existing conditions

Pre-existing conditions can greatly impact the cost of health insurance coverage. It depends on the type of pre-existing condition, though, so make sure you know what the premiums will be if you fall into a certain risk category.

Gender

Women usually have to pay more for health insurance as compared to men in Colorado.

Insurance and medical history:

The insurance and medical history of each individual also matters in deciding the premium amount. Individuals with previous medical conditions will have to pay more for health insurance coverage.

Pros & Cons

The Pros

The Cons

Final Verdict

FAQs

When is Colorado open enrollment for 2021 health insurance coverage?

Every health insurance provider has different dates for enrollment. Some insurance providers have already started enrollments for 2021.

Did Colorado expand Medicaid?

Colorado opted to expand Medicaid in 2013, making it one of 37 states that have expanded the program.

Is Health Insurance Mandatory in Colorado?

While Colorado doesn’t mandate that people get health insurance, it’s encouraged that people opt to be covered by a health insurance plan. This includes employer-provided insurance, private insurance, or government insurance.

What is the income limit for Medicaid in Colorado?

The income limit for one person in Colorado is $16,971 and for a married couple is $22,930. The average income limit for Medicaid in Colorado for a family of three is $28,888 and for a family of four is $34,846.

What are Short term health insurance conditions?

Short term health insurance in Colorado offers coverage for limited time periods. The maximum age limit that most insurance companies have is 64 years old and in good health. 

What is the uninsured population rate in Colorado?

Colorado’s uninsured rate remains steady at 6.5 percent, or 361,000 Coloradans.