The Center’s Got You Covered When It Comes to Health Care

Rex Fuller

As the Affordable Care Act marks its first anniversary, Healthcare Enrollment Program Manager at the Center Clayton Scherf sees a lot of positive outcomes. “If you look statistically nationwide, the ACA is a success,” he says.

In conjunction with the Colorado AIDS Project, The Center helps people across Colorado sign up for health care through the ACA. Working with Colorado’s open market exchange, The Center and CAP provide a safe space for LGBT Coloradans to get help enrolling in health insurance.

Before the ACA, LGBT individuals commonly experienced enrollment discrimination. People were denied coverage because of gender identity, sexual orientation, and/or HIV status. The ACA has since outlawed the discrimination.

“Under the law, all of us are required to have health coverage,” Clayton explains. Still, many are concerned about the affordability. Fortunately, there’s financial assistance available. “The Affordable Care Act is what is says it is: affordable,” Clayton continues. Depending on specific qualifications such as income and geographic location, there may be assistance available to help individuals cover the cost of the monthly premiums.

“I’ve seen individuals come through our offices who’ve been offered plans as low as $11 a month,“ Clayton says. “We have ten or more carriers and over 150 plans to choose from. That’s the benefit of having a health coverage guide: Someone can actually sit down with you and really address what your needs are and what’s best for your current circumstance.”

Colorado’s trans community is seeing real progress. Before the ACA, many trans individuals were denied coverage or charged more than others for substandard policies. The law now bans denying anyone insurance based on a pre-existing condition and Colorado requires coverage of all trans healthcare needs including surgeries, mental health, and prescription drugs.

As well, married same-sex couples in Colorado are now recognized by the federal government. That means Colorado health insurance companies must cover married same-sex Coloradans — and that coverage travels with you no matter what state you live in.

Open enrollment begins Nov. 15. The Center has a list of LGBT-friendly providers available free of charge. “It’s easy to schedule an appointment,” Clayton says, but he urges everyone to make an appointment soon. Open enrollment is time-limited. Once the open enrollment window closes, health insurance is not available until next year unless there’s a “qualifying event” such as marriage, birth, or other specific changes that affect your income.

“[The ACA] is a new avenue. I think as tools and resources become available, it’s important to learn how to utilize them and take advantage of this new opportunity for coverage.” l

Visit glbtcolorado.org/health or call 303.951.5218 to speak with someone statewide.