Local health advocate Jon Parker says while there have been improvements to the Connect for Health Colorado site, he still thinks that people attempting to make changes should seek the help of experts.

For some Montezuma County residents, health insurance rates have gone up, so Parker said it's important to shop around to keep costs down

Parker, a health advocate for the Piñon Project in Cortez, said that if you want to have coverage by Jan. 1, it's important to enroll by Dec. 15.

"The goal is to keep out-of-pocket costs similar," Parker said.

Colorado's state-run insurance exchange has opened for its second year of business, and health officials hope to attract more customers.

Connect For Health attracted about 150,000 customers in its first year. Exchange officials say they want to keep those customers and add about 50,000 more for next year.

Parker and other advocates held a free Health Coverage Informational Event last Thursday at the Cortez Public Library.

"It's really important you see a local health care coverage expert. You shouldn't have to do this yourself," Parker said.

Experts are available at area hospitals as well as at the Piñon Project.

Another event is scheduled Dec. 11 at the Mancos Public Library at 6:30 p.m.

"I am really familiar with the system," Parker said, always a bonus when you are making changes that will last a whole year.

If rates have gone up, Parker said it is important not to auto-enroll because there are other options out there.

"Be cautious with auto enroll, particularly in our area with rate increases," Parker said.

It was estimated that as many as 750,000 Colorado residents were uninsured in 2011.

Recent numbers released by Enroll America show that in 2013, 23 percent of Montezuma County residents were uninsured, that number dropped to 11 percent in 2014.

Information: 564-1195.