The Local First Foundation announced Monday that Denver Health Medical Plan will be offering individual health care coverage in Southwest Colorado beginning in 2024.
The health insurance carrier will offer plans under the name Elevate and are compliant with the Affordable Care Act and Colorado Option.
The carrier currently services areas in and around Denver but will now customize plans for Southwest Colorado and the Western Slope.
Local First has been working to provide businesses and individuals in Southwest Colorado with a variety of health insurance carriers since 2018. Elevate will replace Bright HealthCare which stopped offering individual health plans at the end of 2022.
Through collaboration with Peak Health Alliance, Local First was able to bring Bright HealthCare options to the region in 2021. The move saved La Plata, Montezuma, Dolores and San Juan county residents over $5 million in premiums fees during the two years the health insurance provider was available.
“We were really attracted to them because they are a Colorado-based nonprofit organization and they share our values and our commitment to the community in which they operate,” said Doug McCarthy, health care advocate for Local First.
McCarthy also said Local First and Peak Health Alliance are confident Denver Health Medical Plan would not drop individual coverage plans anytime soon, unlike Bright HealthCare.
Through the Elevate Exchange and Colorado Option plan, members will pay reduced prices on common prescription drugs. Some plans will also be paired with a health savings account.
“We're excited about that and then we're really hopeful that with the partnership of the local health care provider community that it will be a low-cost plan,” McCarthy said.
A Local First news release says more information about the plans will be available later this year. Local First will also work with local health insurance brokers and others to help educate the community on the new options as part of its health care literacy programs.
The new Elevate Health Plans will be available to individuals and families during the annual open enrollment period beginning in November. Employees of businesses that offer individual coverage health reimbursement arrangements may also choose the plans in 2024.
“Many local businesses will also benefit from the choice these plans will offer to their employees through individual coverage health reimbursement arrangements, which are an attractive option for many small employer groups,” McCarthy said.
McCarthy told the The Durango Herald in March that is was the organization’s goal to make it more economically viable for local businesses to offer benefits.
“It’s coverage that is based on ‘whole person care,’” said Greg McCarthy, Denver Health Medical Plan CEO in a news release. “We do that collaboratively so our members become an active part of the health and wellness process.”
Whole-person care looks at both body and mind in developing care plans. This patient-centered approach leverages a wide range of resources to provide physical, behavioral and social support.
“Local First is grateful for the opportunity to continue our partnership with Peak Health Alliance to offer greater choice and strengthen our local health care market,” said Lauren Berutich, Local First CEO in a news release.
tbrown@durangoherald.com
