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Why Realtors in Colorado Pay More for Health Insurance Than Anyone

By Martin Elefant · Licensed insurance agent · Updated October 2026 · 5 min read

Agents in Denver, Colorado Springs and across Colorado routinely pay more for health insurance than W-2 workers earning half as much. Four reasons, each with a fix.

1. No employer contribution

Employees typically have 70–80% of their premium paid by the employer. You pay 100%. Fix: the self-employed deduction and, if you're healthy, a plan priced on your health rather than a group pool.

2. Income lands over the cliff

Good years put you above 400% FPL where subsidies end. Fix: lower MAGI with retirement contributions and expenses, or price a private PPO that ignores income entirely.

3. Buying in the wrong month

Agents who miss open enrollment buy whatever's available, often short-term or indemnity products that aren't real coverage. Fix: private plans enroll any month.

4. Paying for a network you don't use

Showing homes across Denver County and beyond on an HMO tied to one hospital system means out-of-network everything. Fix: a national PPO on Cigna, Aetna and PHCS PPO.

Colorado requires carriers to sell standardized 'Colorado Option' plans on the marketplace, and mountain-county premiums run well above Front Range prices — the gap private plans tend to close.

Check your options — most agents find at least one of the four applies.

ME
Martin Elefant
Licensed insurance agent · NPN 20765405 · Lyons Life LLC · Colorado Private Health

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