Colorado’s individual health insurance market is facing new pressure as filings from UnitedHealthcare’s Rocky Mountain HMO and Anthem’s HMO Colorado indicate reductions that could affect an estimated 96,000 policyholders, with officials linking the changes to federal tax credit uncertainty and potential Medicaid adjustments.
State regulators say that despite the filings – which include removing plans outright and limiting where others are offered – every county in Colorado will retain at least one option on the individual market.
The Colorado Division of Insurance (DOI) estimates that nearly a third of the approximately 300,000 residents who purchase coverage on their own could be affected.
Anthem’s filings would eliminate 21 plans across 11 counties – affecting roughly 32,000 members – and discontinue 41 additional plans in other areas, impacting about 37,000 members. That amounts to two-thirds of the insurer’s current individual market enrollment in the state. Rocky Mountain HMO’s filing targets 20 plans in seven Denver-metro counties, affecting around 26,000 residents.
Colorado Insurance Commissioner Michael Conway pointed to the federal government’s failure to renew enhanced premium tax credits as a contributing factor, noting that “without action now, hardworking people are going to receive devastatingly high rate increases and more than a hundred thousand people will lose coverage as a result.”
The DOI has projected average individual-market premium increases of about 28% statewide for 2026 – and significantly higher increases, as much as 38.8%, in the Western Slope region.
Anthem described its filing as “a procedural step” required to meet the DOI’s 135-day notice timeline and said it hopes to reverse some of the discontinuations once the state completes its rate review.
“We hope to withdraw this notification and offer plans in as many regions as possible once the state rate review is complete,” spokesperson Emily Snooks said. “Most importantly, Anthem will remain in any community where our departure would otherwise leave Coloradans without coverage options.”
UnitedHealthcare did not respond to requests for comment. Under state law, insurers must notify the DOI at least 135 days before discontinuing plans – that deadline for plans effective Jan. 1, 2026, fell on Aug. 19, and consumers will receive 90-day notice of any coverage changes.
What is your view on these developments and their potential impact on Colorado’s individual insurance market? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
