Polis Pushes to Lower Health Insurance Premiums for Summit County Residents

Statement

Today, Representative Jared Polis wrote to Marguerite Salazar, Colorado's Insurance Commissioner, urging her to address the increase in premiums Summit County residents are paying for their health insurance compared with residents of neighboring counties.

"Many residents of Summit County are suddenly finding themselves facing much higher health insurance premiums than their neighbors in Clear Creek and Jefferson Counties," said Rep. Polis. "This disparity not only makes no sense but threatens to undermine the Affordable Care Act's goal of increasing access to high-quality, affordable health care. Summit County residents already face a high cost of living and many may choose to forgo health insurance if these rates remain so high. I urge the Division of Insurance to revisit the approved rates, and strongly suggest that Summit County be moved to the same rating area as Clear Creek and Jefferson counties, which more accurately represents the costs and experiences of Summit County's full-time residents and could reduce rates by a third."

"Congressman Polis understands the affordability challenges we face in Colorado mountain resort communities. He has been a champion for health care access in Summit County, with his continuing support of our Community Care Clinic and now, responding to this affordability issue just as many residents are signing up for health care insurance through Connect for Health Colorado," stated Summit County Commissioners, Karn Stiegelmeier, Thomas Davidson, and Dan Gibbs.

Because the Division included Summit County in an inappropriate rating area, its residents are facing higher health insurance premiums than they otherwise would. For example, a 40 year old individual in Summit County purchasing a bronze level plan from the Rocky Mountain Health Plans Statewide PPO would pay a minimum of $427.80 a month compared to $339.18 for the same plan in Boulder and $296.41 for Denver.

"High insurance rates will make it more likely that Coloradans living in Summit County will choose to forgo coverage entirely, leading to an increase in health care costs for the state but more importantly threatening the health and welfare of these same residents and their families," Rep. Polis added.

"Summit County has one of the highest rates of uninsured residents in the State," said Sarah Vaine, CEO of Summit Community Care Cline. "Many people have been anxiously awaiting the opportunity to purchase health insurance for themselves and their families. It is worrisome and disappointing that rates in our area may be priced beyond our residents' ability to pay. We are hopeful that something can be done to make products on the exchange more accessible."

Representative Polis requested Colorado's Division of Insurance to explain the discrepancy and to shift Summit County in the same Rating Area of Clear Creek and Jefferson counties, which would more accurately represent the health insurance costs facing residents of Summit.

Source