In actual fact, according to the calculator function on the Connect for Health website, a 29-year-old Durango resident making $20,000 per year would likely qualify for a plan with only a $250 deductible and an annual out-of-pocket maximum of $1200. The monthly cost for that plan is less than $78 per month when her tax credits are applied. Even a family of six, like the one mentioned, would likely pay less than $800/month for a silver plan – even with an income of $100,000 per year because of tax credits.

Insurance shoppers in Colorado can easily find a very accurate estimate of their tax credits and actual costs by using the calculator at http://kff.org/interactive/subsidy-calculator/ (an independent, unbiased site) or the one at www.connectforhealthco.com. Please don’t make any decisions or judgments until you have correct information from one of these websites or a local Health Coverage Guide.

Kevin O’Connor, health coverage guide, Connect for Health Assistance Network

Durango