San Juan Basin Health Department is among 57 agencies statewide chosen as a provider of information and help in finding the insurance coverage required as part of national health-care reform.
Connect for Health Colorado is part of a network helping residents of local communities evaluate health-plan options, apply for tax credits to reduce costs and sign up for health coverage come Oct. 1.
“Access to quality health insurance and new financial assistance to reduce costs is a huge benefit for our community,” Liane Jollon, the health department’s acting director, said in a statement. “This opportunity fits our goals, and we’re ready to help residents in Archuleta and La Plata counties find the health-insurance plan that meets their needs.”
The change in approach to health care comes through the national Affordable Care Act, commonly referred to as Obamacare. In Colorado, residents will be able to choose among four levels of health insurance, depending on how much cost is borne by the carrier or the customer.
Individuals or families can get health insurance through an employer, Medicaid or on their own.
La Plata County residents can call Kevin O’Connor at 335-2021 or email koconnor@sjbhd.org. O’Connor has a background in administration and small-business health insurance.
Renee Burch is available at 264-2409, ext. 203, or rburch@sjbhd.org to help Archuleta County residents.
O’Connor and Burch can help people and small-business owners shop for health-care coverage through the Connect for Health Colorado, the state’s health-insurance marketplace and apply for a new tax credit to reduce costs. They are available to speak to groups.
Connect for Health Colorado is a public, nonprofit marketplace created by state law in 2011. Further information is available at www.ConnectforHealthCO.com.
San Juan Basin Health has an 18-month contract with Connect for Health Colorado worth $167,900 to cover salaries, office expenses and outreach.
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