This article was DORA and breakdown healthcare costs
During 2009, more than 61% of Coloradans were covered by either the commercial health
insurance market or a self-insured employer health plan, compared to the 54% of citizens in
other states nationwide.
Health premiums grew at a faster pace than either inflation or wages.
During 2009, approximately 84% of premiums collected in 2009 by carriers in Colorado went
directly to the cost of providing health care services. Approximately 13.87% of premiums were
used for administrative expenses and producer commissions.
While the increases in premiums for employer-provided health coverage in Colorado have
mirrored the increase nationwide, the employees’ contribution to those premiums has increased
more than the national average.
The number of private employers offering self-insured health plans to their employees increased
in Colorado at twice the national rate. Employer-funded or self-insured plans are often called
“ERISA” plans as they are regulated by the federal government under the Employees’
Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA).
The ten largest health carriers had nearly 70% of the market share in Colorado. There are
approximately 400 health insurance carriers doing business in Colorado.
The complete report and the data for the report can be found at:
www.dora.state.co.us/insurance/rtfo/health%20costs/HealthCostReport.htm
Background: In 2008, the Colorado General Assembly enacted House Bill 08-1389 requiring the
Commissioner of Insurance to report annually on the cost of health care, the factors that drive the cost of
health care and the financial status of health carriers (including HMOs – Health Maintenance
Organizations) in Colorado. The 2010 Colorado Health Insurance Report is the second installment of
this annual requirement and examines increases in health insurance premiums in the state of Colorado.
The report provides an overview of the expenses and financial statements of companies doing business
in Colorado, focusing primarily on the commercial health insurance market for individual, small group
and large group health plans.
The 2009 report is available on the Division’s website at
www.dora.state.co.us/insurance/legi/2010/legiColoradoHealthInsuranceReport040110.pdf
DORA is dedicated to preserving the integrity of the marketplace and is committed to promoting a fair
and competitive business environment in Colorado. Consumer protection is our mission.
During 2009, more than 61% of Coloradans were covered by either the commercial healthinsurance market or a self-insured employer health plan, compared to the 54% of citizens inother states nationwide.Health premiums grew at a faster pace than either inflation or wages.During 2009, approximately 84% of premiums collected in 2009 by carriers in Colorado wentdirectly to the cost of providing health care services. Approximately 13.87% of premiums wereused for administrative expenses and producer commissions.While the increases in premiums for employer-provided health coverage in Colorado havemirrored the increase nationwide, the employees’ contribution to those premiums has increasedmore than the national average.The number of private employers offering self-insured health plans to their employees increasedin Colorado at twice the national rate. Employer-funded or self-insured plans are often called“ERISA” plans as they are regulated by the federal government under the Employees’Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA).The ten largest health carriers had nearly 70% of the market share in Colorado. There areapproximately 400 health insurance carriers doing business in Colorado.
The complete report and the data for the report
www.dora.state.co.us/insurance/rtfo/health%20costs/HealthCostReport.htmBackground: In 2008, the Colorado General Assembly enacted House Bill 08-1389 requiring theCommissioner of Insurance to report annually on the cost of health care, the factors that drive the cost ofhealth care and the financial status of health carriers (including HMOs – Health MaintenanceOrganizations) in Colorado. The 2010 Colorado Health Insurance Report is the second installment ofthis annual requirement and examines increases in health insurance premiums in the state of Colorado.The report provides an overview of the expenses and financial statements of companies doing businessin Colorado, focusing primarily on the commercial health insurance market for individual, small groupand large group health plans.The 2009 report is available on the Division’s website atwww.dora.state.co.us/insurance/legi/2010/legiColoradoHealthInsuranceReport040110.pdf###DORA is dedicated to preserving the integrity of the marketplace and is committed to promoting a fairand competitive business environment in Colorado. Consumer protection is our mission.
