Page 1 of 8
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) for Customers Who Lost Friday
Health Plans Coverage as of August 31, 2023
Updated 2/15/24
Below are Frequently Asked Questions with more information regarding premiums refunds
(questions 1-3), paying of claims (questions 4-5), and background details on this situation
(questions 6 - 8). Questions from August and September 2023 regarding enrollment in a new
plan for the remainder of 2023 have been moved to the bottom of this document for
reference purposes (questions 9 - 23).
Premium Refunds
1. (updated 9/11/23 and again 2/15/24) Will I be refunded the premium that I
inadvertently paid or paid in error for a policy that was no longer active or had already
been terminated?
Yes. In February 2024, Friday will begin processing and mailing refund checks to the
policyholder’s last known address based upon Friday Health Plans’ records. Where Friday’s
records show that you paid premiums in error for health coverage on a health insurance plan
that was canceled or terminated because of, or following, the liquidation of Friday Health
Plans of Colorado, or Friday’s records show you paid premium in advance for health insurance
policies that were later canceled or terminated premium refund checks will be issued for
refundable amounts above $10.
2. (updated 9/11/23 and again 2/15/24) What if I don’t receive a premium refund, but I
think I should have received one?
If you believe that you are due a premium refund, you should file a Proof of Claim with the
Liquidator.
3. What if I believe that I am owed an additional refund in excess of the refund
check I received?
If you believe that you are due an additional premium refund, you should file a Proof
of Claim with the Liquidator.
1
Page 2 of 8
Paying Claims
4. Will health claims for Friday through August 31, 2023, still be paid?
Yes. Doctors, hospitals and other health care providers will still be paid for claims submitted
for services to people with health insurance from Friday, pursuant to the contractual terms
with the company. This action triggers the Guaranty Association to pay claims, and the
Association will pay up to $500,000 (the statutory limit) for claims for each person covered by
Friday.
5. Can health care providers require Friday Health customers to pay cash up front
for any services through August 31, 2023?
No, Friday’s contracts are required by law to include a hold harmless provision specifying that
consumers cannot, in any circumstance, be liable to a provider participating in Friday’s
network for care provided to the consumer except for their cost shares. In addition, Friday’s
contracts with providers are required to prohibit providers from collecting, or attempting to
collect, payment from a consumer for amounts that are owed to the provider from Friday.
Providers can continue to collect copayments and other applicable cost shares from customers
directly.
If a doctor, hospital or other health care provider is asking you to pay more than your cost
share amounts, such as your usual co-payment, deductible or coinsurance that are part of
your plan, or refusing to bill your Friday health insurance plan, please contact the Colorado
Division of Insurance Consumer Services Team as soon as possible - 303-894-7490 /
DORA_Insurance@state.co.us.
General Questions
6. Why did this happen?
As the DOI reviewed the financial projections of Friday Health Plans of Colorado after placing
it into rehabilitation, there were significant concerns about the accuracy of those projections.
And those projections have deteriorated even further since putting the company into
rehabilitation. The decision of the parent company to shut down operations July 6, instead of
working through a measured winding down of its business, also increased costs for the
Colorado company, further undermining earlier financial projections.
Heightened concerns about the ability of the Colorado company to get through the remainder
of the year could potentially put the upcoming open enrollment for 2024 at risk. In order to
avoid putting enrollment for tens of thousands of Coloradans at risk, it became evident that
the DOI would have to end Friday Health plans as of Aug. 31.
2
Page 3 of 8
The DOI also had growing concerns about health care providers (doctors, hospitals, etc.)
refusing to treat Friday members. Taking this action now should help those people who are
experiencing difficulties in getting the care they need.
7. How many people in Colorado were enrolled in a Friday health plan?
There were about 30,000 people enrolled in plans from Friday Health Plans of Colorado.
8. What is the Colorado Guaranty Association?
The association, officially known as the Life and Health Insurance Protection Association, is a
non-profit organization made up of life and health insurance companies that sell insurance
products in Colorado. The Colorado legislature authorized the formation of the association in
1991 to assist Coloradans with insurance policies from companies that become insolvent.
To protect consumers, the DOI championed the passing of HB23-1303 - Protect Against
Insurers' Impairment And Insolvency this past legislative session as it monitored the situation
regarding Friday Health. This legislation made Friday Health Plans of Colorado a member of
the Guaranty Association, offering protections to both consumers and health care providers in
the event of the failure of a company like Friday health insurance company that is licensed as
an HMO (health maintenance organization).
Questions from August - September 2023 Regarding Enrolling Coverage for the
Remainder of 2023
How and When to Enroll in New Health Insurance
9. Will I be able to enroll in a new health insurance plan?
Yes. You will have a Special Enrollment Period (SEP) when you can enroll in new coverage for
September through December 2023. It’s important to act soon so that you (and any covered
family members) are not left uninsured come September 1.
If you are enrolled in a plan from Friday Health through Connect for Health Colorado or
through Colorado Connect, including the OmniSalud program, you can select new health
insurance through those enrollment platforms.
If you, your spouse, or a parent (for those under age 26) has access to health insurance from
an employer, you may also have the option to enroll in that health insurance plan. Contact
the employer’s human resources or employee benefits office for specific rules and enrollment
deadlines.
Employers who have a small group plan (for small employers with less than 100 employees)
from Friday Health should contact their broker for details. Employees enrolled in these plans
should contact their employer for more information.
3