An academic article to be published in the June edition of the national Journal of Risk and Insurance confirms what Colorado’s Peak Health Alliance has long understood: When communities band together, health care becomes more affordable.
The research, led by Mark Meiselbach, PhD, assistant professor of Health Policy and Management at Johns Hopkins University, found that Peak Health Alliance’s innovative purchasing model reduced health insurance premiums by 13–17% for enrollees in participating Colorado counties.
Peak Health Alliance is a mission-driven nonprofit dedicated to lowering health care costs for residents in the Colorado counties it serves. Founded in 2019 in Summit County to address what were then some of the highest healthcare premiums in the nation, Peak Health Alliance brings communities together to negotiate better rates with health providers. Rather than acting as an insurer or broker, Peak partners with an insurance carrier to offer affordable, high-quality plans tailored to local needs.
In the first three years of operations, Peak Health Alliance saved community members in eight rural mountain counties more than $16.1 million, according to Local First La Plata.
Since its launch, Peak has expanded, now including Summit, Lake, La Plata, Montezuma, Park, San Juan, Dolores, Grand, and Archuleta counties—proving that collective action can drive meaningful change in rural and mountain communities. Peak’s insurance partner is now Elevate Health Plans by Denver Health Medical Plan.
Key Findings from the Study:
- Peak’s model reduced health insurance premiums by 13–17% between 2017–2021.
- Lower negotiated prices—not changes in plan design or service use—drove these savings.
- Insurer market power—the ability of insurance companies to set prices and plan options—increased in Peak counties, confirming the impact of collective purchasing power in negotiating better rates and plan choices.
- Savings persisted as Peak expanded across additional counties in 2021.
“This important national study validates what we’ve known all along: Working together makes health care more affordable,” said Rich Cimino, executive director of Peak Health Alliance. “Peak is proud to be a nonprofit that advocates for lower health care costs, and we remain committed to making coverage more accessible for Colorado communities.”
“Peak Health Alliance remains committed to helping individuals, families, and businesses find high-quality, affordable health insurance options. By continuing to advocate for community-driven solutions, Peak is proving that health access reform doesn’t have to wait for national change—it can start locally, with people working together,” added Doug McCarthy of Local First La Plata.
A Model for the Future
As policymakers and communities seek solutions to rising health care costs, Peak Health Alliance offers a proven approach to reducing premiums through community-driven action.
The savings were achieved by analyzing health insurance claims data and other publicly available health care cost data pertinent to the communities Peak Health Alliance serves. This analysis became the starting point for conversations between the community and local hospitals, medical professionals, and insurance carriers. Peak is grateful to the local hospitals, clinics, and independent doctors and therapists that agreed to cooperate with Peak to help their communities.
In Southwestern Colorado, Local First has been a key partner helping Peak Health Alliance offer affordable insurance options.
For more information on Peak Health Alliance and how we work to lower health care costs in Colorado, visit peakhealthalliance.org.
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