As thousands of Coloradans prepare to sign up for healthcare coverage using the state鈥檚 new insurance marketplace, one organization is rolling out a new high-tech tool to help them navigate the new system.
The was developed by the , and is available online and through mobile devices. It allows users to filter information by zip code, specific health care needs and language.
Its developers hope the guide will help find healthcare services and plans using Colorado's .
The exchanges are a product of the . They are intended to help consumers find health plans and, perhaps more importantly, determine if they're eligible for federal help in purchasing those plans.
Colorado's exchange is set to launch Oct. 1 -- and off the bat. The state鈥檚 insurance commissioner Marguerite Salazar estimates about 500,000 Coloradans will use the new exchange to sign up for coverage.
In the Washington Post, Salazar told she expects a few bumps in the road as thousands of people try to use the new system.
"We know it's not going to be just a completely smooth transition as people who have never had insurance buy it and try to figure out how to use it," Salazar said.
An estimated 800,000 Coloradans currently lack health insurance. Under the , most people have until Jan. 1, 2014 to or face a penalty.
Still not sure how the insurance exchanges are supposed to work? Check out this from NPR's Julie Rovner.
