Free Group Health Insurance Study Guide
Colorado Life, Accident & Health exam — Group Health Insurance.
The national guide covers group underwriting, master contracts and certificates, COBRA, coordination of benefits and conversion. Colorado adds its own small-employer rules and a state continuation right that applies when federal COBRA doesn't. Both are in C.R.S. Title 10, Article 16 and Regulation 4-6-8.
Small-employer market
- Small employer: starting January 1, 2026, an employer with an average of 1 to 50 eligible employees in the preceding calendar year (C.R.S. 10-16-102(61)(b)(II), as amended by SB24-073).
- Eligible employee: carriers must offer coverage to every employee with a regular work week of at least 30 hours. The employer may set a higher threshold (Reg. 4-6-8).
- Participation: a carrier may not require more than 70% of eligible employees, not counting employees with other creditable coverage (Reg. 4-6-8).
- Whole group: a carrier can't offer coverage to only some employees or dependents in the group (10-16-105(1)(b)(II)(B)).
- Waiting periods: a small-employer carrier may not apply a waiting period longer than 90 days (10-16-105(3)(a)).
- Rating: modified community rating applies. A surcharge of up to 35% above the modified community rate is allowed for up to 12 months (10-16-105.6(4)).
- Premiums may not vary by any health-status-related factor.
State continuation (C.R.S. 10-16-108)
| Point | Colorado rule |
|---|---|
| Eligibility | Continuously covered for at least six months before termination |
| Length | Up to 18 months, or until eligible for other group coverage, whichever comes first |
| Employer notice | A notice postmarked within 10 days after termination satisfies the requirement |
| Election | No later than 30 days after termination, unless the employer's notice was late |
| Payment | Coverage is kept by paying within 60 days after termination |
| Not required for | People covered by Medicare or Medicaid |
Federal COBRA (20+ employees) is explained in the national guide. Colorado's statute is a separate state right.
Appeals
- Group members get a two-level internal review, and the second level is voluntary. After that, they can request external review (10-16-113). The external review request is due within four months of the final internal denial.
Exam traps
- 1 to 50 employees is the small-employer definition from 2026 on.
- Participation is capped at 70%, the work week is 30 hours, and the waiting period is at most 90 days.
- For state continuation, learn the sequence: 6 months prior coverage, 18 months of continuation, notice postmarked within 10 days, election within 30 days, payment within 60 days.
Practice Group Health Insurance questions All Life, Accident & Health topics
Practice questions are study aids generated for exam preparation and are not actual exam questions. Content is provided for educational purposes and is not legal advice. Verify current statutes, rules, and exam specifications with the Insurance Department and the exam administrator before relying on it.
