The Colorado Health Benefit Exchange (COHBE) has engaged in an open and collaborative planning process, with strong participation and input from consumers, advocates, insurers, brokers and all stakeholders who care about our health care system. Since early 2011, more than 100 people have participated in volunteer work groups to help advise COHBE staff and the Board about key issues. These groups included the Small Employer Work Group, the Data Advisory Work Group, the Eligibility Verification and Enrollment Work Group and the Marketing Education and Outreach Work Group. As of early 2012, the Small Employer Work Group, Data Advisory Work Group and Eligibility Verification and Enrollment Work Group had completed their work, contributing valuable insight and recommendations to COHBE staff and Board, and have discontinued meeting.
On April 23, 2012, the COHBE Board approved the formation of three new Advisory Groups and to continue the work of the communications group under the name Outreach and Communications Advisory Group. On May 14, 2012, the COHBE Board approved the following Advisory Groups to inform COHBE's design and implementation (links below include the charter for each group and a listing of members):
SHOP
Individual Experience
Health Plan
Outreach and Communications
Members of the public submitted the following comment letters about the Advisory Group process:
Colorado Center on Law and Policy comment letter
Rocky Mountain Employers Health Alliance comment letter
One Colorado comment letter
Health Advocates Alliance comment letter
Colorado Community Health Network comment letter
Colorado State Association of Health Underwriters comment letter
Colorado Public Interest Research Group comment letter
Colorado Consumer Health Initiative comment letter
If you have a question about the Advisory Groups, please email info@cohbe.org or call 720-382-7083
Below is information about work groups that met in 2011 and early 2012.
Outreach and Communications Advisory Group
This volunteer work group, formerly called the Marketing Education and Outreach Work Group, meets once a month to help define the approaches and initiatives that will be used to educate consumers about the value of having insurance; educate customers about the services provided by COHBE; and help determine the most effective tools needed to assist COHBE customers in the choice of a health plan that best meets their needs. For more information, click here.
Small Employer Work Group (SEWG)
This volunteer work group worked to help define the policies and business processes needed to develop an effective marketplace where small employers can shop, compare and purchase group health insurance for their employees. For more information, click here.
Data Advisory Work Group (DAWG)
This volunteer work group advised Exchange staff and board members on additional background research to better identify potential customers who will be purchasing health insurance through the Exchange. The group provided the COHBE Board with recommendations about long term data collection needs and metrics used to evaluate the success of the exchange in improving access to affordable insurance products for individuals and small businesses. For more information, click here.