One only needs to spend a few days in Colorado to realize why it is one of America’s “fittest” states.  From high school students who brag about the number of “fourteeners” they’ve climbed, to the mountain bikers you will find on every scenic route, there is no doubt that Coloradoans take their health pretty seriously.  Despite the fact that many residents remain uninsured, at least one study suggests that more people in Colorado now have health insurance compared to this time last year.  Some healthcare insiders believe that this may have contributed to the improved health rankings for 2011.

After taking a few steps back to number 13 in 2010, Colorado has rebounded this year by ranking number 9 in America’s Health Rankings.  One statistic that usually stands out when looking at Colorado’s scores is the obesity level.  While the percent of obese residents has gone from 6.9 percent to 21.4 percent over the past twenty years, Colorado remains the least obese state in the union.  If Colorado can remain the leanest state at 21.4 percent obesity, this means Americans have gotten a lot heavier.  Perhaps it’s time for health insurance underwriters to rethink their “healthy weight ranges” when pricing out a plan?

In a recent article that appeared on the HealthQuotes.com web site (“Health Insurance Plays a Role in Improving Colorado Health Rankings,” December 9, 2011), the greater availability of health insurance may or may not have contributed to better rankings for Colorado.  According to Colorado Health Access, the rate of uninsured residents in the state went down from 15.6 percent to a healthier 13.8 percent.  But these figures don’t jive with other surveys that suggest the rate of uninsured went up in Colorado.  While it may be true that many more people are uninsured because of job loss, the state has also made dramatic improvements to CHP+ and Medicaid which could have balanced it out.

Health insurance availability has traditionally played an important role in the overall health of a state, but with so many unemployed citizens, the pressure is on insurance providers to come up with affordable alternatives.  Individual health insurance may not offer the same level of coverage as a group plan, but it is now available in flexible, tax-advantaged plans like Health Savings Accounts (HSAs).   To learn more about how your family can take advantage of affordable rates on individual health insurance, speak with a Colorado health insurance broker today.

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