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A file photo of a stethoscope.
A file photo of a stethoscope.
DENVER, CO. -  JULY 18:  Denver Post's Electa Draper on  Thursday July 18, 2013.    (Photo By Cyrus McCrimmon/The Denver Post)
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Health and Human Services on Thursday announced that 52,277 consumers in Colorado will get $2.7 million in refunds, an average of $93 a family, from insurance companies this summer because of the Affordable Care Act’s 80/20 rule.

The 80/20 rule, also called the Medical Loss Ratio rule, requires that insurers spend at least 80 percent of premium dollars on patient care.

Consumers nationwide have saved a total of $9 billion on health insurance premiums since the 80/20 rule took effect. This year, U.S. consumers will receive $330 million in refunds, with 6.8 million consumers receiving an average of $80 a family.

Coloradans due for a refund will see it in one of three ways:

• A refund check in the mail;

• A lump-sum reimbursement to the credit or debit account used to pay the premium;

• A reduction in future premiums.