Katy Kohnen

A recent back-fence conversation revealed that a neighbor’s concern about ColoradoCare/Amendment 69 was based on misinformation about the impact of the plan on retirees. As a supporter of ColoradoCare, I believe other seniors may also benefit from clarification. A brief conversation and a quick visit to the ColoradoCare website resolved her anxiety and assured her of the advantages she would enjoy if ColoradoCare were available today.

The first point I made was Medicare parts A, B and D, plus Medicare Advantage, remain unchanged. She was afraid she would lose her Medicare.

Second, she did not realize that seniors qualify for tax exemptions up to $46,000 for an individual and $75,000 for joint income tax filers. The 10 percent tax she had heard about would only apply to the balance of income after the exemption is deducted. It is estimated that 80 percent of Medicare beneficiaries will pay less in premium taxes than they would pay for a comparable supplemental plan in the current insurance system.

Third, Medicare benefits are not included in taxable income. She allowed me to demonstrate how to calculate her health care tax liability using the “calculator” tab on the website, www.ColoradoCare.org. It was a simple calculation. We input the relevant information taken from her 2015 tax return. As a relatively healthy senior, she was thrilled to learn that if ColoradoCare had been available last year, her out-of-pocket medical expenses would have been zero.

My neighbor will be voting yes on Amendment 69. We encourage you to join us.

Katy Kohnen, Fort Collins