Consumer Health Initiative Helps Overcome Insurance Challenges

Colorado has made big gains in insurance coverage in recent years, but consumers often run into barriers and challenges when using their insurance.

That’s why the Colorado Consumer Health Initiative (CCHI) launched its Consumer Assistance Program in the summer of 2018 to empower Coloradans to navigate health insurance billing and claims issues. CCHI is a non-profit, non-partisan membership-based advocacy nonprofit working so all Coloradans have equitable access to quality, affordable health care and bringing the voices of everyday people into health care policy discussions. To date, CCHI’s Consumer Assistance Program has worked with 164 consumers across 20 counties to save Coloradans $436,705.06 in medical bills.

In November, CCHI received the “Get Wise” Consumer Protection Award from the Colorado Department of Regulatory Agencies (DORA). The award recognizes the direct assistance CCHI is providing to consumers navigating health care services, hospital financial assistance, billing, and coverage issues and the advocacy work it does to accompany direct service with systemic policy change. CCHI is thrilled for the recognition of the hard work it is doing to champion the voices and rights of consumers across Colorado in our health care system. This legislative session, CCHI is working to help individuals served through the Consumer Assistance Program bring their stories to the capitol and advocate for legislation to address the health care barriers they’ve encountered.

For more information about the Consumer Assistance Program and to reach, visit the website here or call 303-839-1261.

[ Photo courtesy of CCHI. Back row left to right: DORA Executive Director Marguerite Salazar, Chief Deputy Insurance Commissioner Peg Brown, CCHI Policy Director Debra Judy, CCHI Director of Legislative Affairs Caitlin Westerson, CCHI Director of Strategic Engagement Adam Fox, Insurance Commissioner Michael Conway. Front row left to right: CCHI Director of Finance and Operations Cynthia Wadle, CCHI Executive Director Adela Flores-Brennan.]