Reviews
Auxiliary and Supplemental Health Plans in Colorado
Types of Auxiliary Plans We Compare
Auxiliary plans aren't one product. Each type pays for a different kind of event, with its own rules, costs, and limits. Here's what we typically review for clients who want extra protection on top of their health insurance:
- Accident insurance: Pays a cash benefit for covered injuries — fractures, dislocations, emergency room visits, and follow-up care. It's popular with active households, parents of kids in sports, and anyone who spends winter weekends on the slopes.
- Critical illness insurance: Pays a lump sum if you're diagnosed with a covered condition, such as a heart attack, stroke, or cancer. The money can help with your deductible, time away from work, or travel for treatment.
- Hospital indemnity insurance: Pays a set amount when you're admitted to the hospital, with some plans adding a daily benefit for each day you stay. It's often paired with high-deductible health plans or Medicare Advantage plans.
- Cancer insurance: Pays benefits tied specifically to a cancer diagnosis and treatment. Some families choose it when there's a family history, or as a lower-cost alternative to broader critical illness coverage.
Every one of these plans has its own waiting periods, exclusions, and benefit limits. We'll walk you through them plainly before you commit to anything.
Even a good health plan can leave you with a significant bill after an ER visit, a hospital stay, or a serious diagnosis. Deductibles, copays, and coinsurance add up fast — and that's before lost paychecks, travel for treatment, or the everyday bills that keep coming while you recover.
Auxiliary plans, also called supplemental health insurance, are designed to help with that gap. They work alongside your main health plan, and most pay a set cash benefit directly to you when a covered event happens. You decide how to use the money — whether that's a medical bill, rent, or groceries.
As an independent brokerage, we compare auxiliary plans across multiple carriers so you can see whether one actually fills a gap in your current coverage. If you're looking for primary coverage instead, we can walk you through our marketplace plans or health share options.
Your Health Plan Covers a Lot. Your Deductible Still Shows Up.
Who Auxiliary Coverage Makes Sense For
Most people who ask about auxiliary plans are in one of two situations.
The first is a high deductible. If your health plan comes with a large deductible or out-of-pocket maximum, one hospital stay or emergency visit could cost thousands before your insurance starts paying much. An auxiliary plan can put cash in your hands right when that bill arrives.
The second is income risk. If you're self-employed, work seasonally, or your household depends on one paycheck, an injury or illness can hit twice — once through medical bills and again through lost income. A cash benefit can help bridge that gap while you recover.
If you already have enough savings to cover your full out-of-pocket maximum, you may not need an auxiliary plan at all. We'll tell you that directly.
What Auxiliary Plans Do and Don't Cover
We're not going to oversell auxiliary plans, and we're not going to dismiss them either. What we will do is make sure you understand what you're getting.
Auxiliary plans are designed to add to your health insurance, not replace it. They don't count as qualifying health coverage under the Affordable Care Act, and they don't cover routine care, prescriptions, or ongoing treatment the way a major medical plan does. Many include waiting periods before certain benefits begin, and some limit benefits for pre-existing conditions.
The upside is flexibility. Most auxiliary plans pay you directly, regardless of what your health insurance pays, and many can be added any time of year rather than only during open enrollment. The right answer depends on your current plan, your budget, and how much financial risk you're comfortable carrying — and that's exactly what our consultation is designed to work through.
Does it cost more to use a health insurance broker?
Generally, you don't pay us a separate fee to help you compare and enroll in the plans we represent. Insurance carriers may compensate brokers when an enrollment occurs.
We'll explain our role, review the options available to you, and help you understand what you're considering before you make a decision.
How do insurance brokers get paid?
Insurance brokers are commonly compensated by insurance carriers when clients enroll in certain plans. That allows us to help clients review coverage without charging a separate consultation fee in many situations.
If anything about our compensation applies differently to your situation, we'll explain it before you enroll.
What's the difference between an insurance broker and an agent?
Some insurance agents represent a single insurance company. Independent brokers can work with multiple carriers.
As an independent brokerage, Lighthouse Group can review plans from the insurance companies we represent and help you compare factors such as premiums, benefits, provider networks, and prescription coverage.
Can a broker help me after I enroll?
Yes. Our relationship doesn't have to end when you choose a plan.
We can continue helping with questions about your coverage, renewals, plan changes, and other issues that come up along the way. If something isn't making sense, you have someone you can ask.
Why not just buy a plan on my own?
You absolutely can.
The challenge is that a plan name and monthly premium don't tell you everything. Your doctors, prescriptions, provider network, deductible, and expected healthcare needs can all affect how well a plan works for you.
We help you look beyond the price tag so you can better understand what you're choosing before you enroll.
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Questions About Auxiliary and Supplemental Plans
What does supplemental health insurance cover?
It depends on the plan type. Accident plans pay for covered injuries, critical illness plans pay a lump sum after a covered diagnosis, and hospital indemnity plans pay when you're admitted to the hospital. Most pay cash directly to you, and you can use it however you need.It depends on the plan type. Accident plans pay for covered injuries, critical illness plans pay a lump sum after a covered diagnosis, and hospital indemnity plans pay when you're admitted to the hospital. Most pay cash directly to you, and you can use it however you need.What's the difference between auxiliary and supplemental health plans?
In most cases, nothing. Both terms describe coverage you add alongside your main health insurance — accident, critical illness, or hospital indemnity plans, for example. Some carriers use one term and some use the other.In most cases, nothing. Both terms describe coverage you add alongside your main health insurance — accident, critical illness, or hospital indemnity plans, for example. Some carriers use one term and some use the other.Can an auxiliary plan replace my health insurance?
No. Auxiliary plans are designed to work alongside major medical coverage, not replace it. They don't count as qualifying health coverage under the Affordable Care Act, and they don't cover the routine care, prescriptions, and ongoing treatment a full health plan provides.No. Auxiliary plans are designed to work alongside major medical coverage, not replace it. They don't count as qualifying health coverage under the Affordable Care Act, and they don't cover the routine care, prescriptions, and ongoing treatment a full health plan provides.Can I buy supplemental insurance outside of open enrollment in Colorado?
Often, yes. Unlike ACA-compliant health plans, many supplemental plans aren't tied to open enrollment and can be purchased any time of year. We'll confirm availability and any waiting periods for the specific plans you're considering.Often, yes. Unlike ACA-compliant health plans, many supplemental plans aren't tied to open enrollment and can be purchased any time of year. We'll confirm availability and any waiting periods for the specific plans you're considering.Is supplemental insurance worth it if I'm healthy?
Accidents don't check your health history first. If a surprise bill of a few thousand dollars would strain your budget, a low-cost accident or hospital indemnity plan is worth considering. If you have enough savings to cover your full out-of-pocket maximum, you may not need one — and we'll tell you so.Accidents don't check your health history first. If a surprise bill of a few thousand dollars would strain your budget, a low-cost accident or hospital indemnity plan is worth considering. If you have enough savings to cover your full out-of-pocket maximum, you may not need one — and we'll tell you so.
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How We Help You Decide
When you come to us with questions about auxiliary plans, we don't hand you a stack of brochures. Our process is built around doing the comparison work for you, then walking you through a short list of options that actually fit your situation.
We start with a consultation to understand your current health plan, your deductible, your budget, and what would hurt most financially if something happened. From there, we research auxiliary plans across multiple carriers. When we meet again, you'll have a clear, side-by-side view of what each plan pays, when it pays, and what it doesn't cover.
Sometimes the best recommendation is a different main plan, not an extra one. Either way, you'll know what you're choosing and why.
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