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Child Health Plan Plus Prenatal Waiver

Medicaid and Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) Section 1115 waivers allow states to test new approaches to administering Medicaid and CHIP programs beyond what is required by federal statute. These waivers give states flexibility to design and improve their programs to better serve Medicaid and CHIP populations through experimental, pilot, or demonstration projects.

Colorado's Adult Prenatal Coverage in Child Health Plan Plus (CHP+) demonstration helps provide necessary prenatal, delivery, and postpartum care to low-income pregnant women with incomes above 141% through 195% Federal Poverty Level.

The State of Colorado submitted an application in 2020 to extend its Adult Prenatal Coverage in CHP+ section 1115 demonstration for another five years.

Links to the Federal records are listed below:

5 Year Waiver Demonstration Extension Approved for Colorado's Title XXI 1115 Demonstration

Colorado's Title XXI Section 1115 waiver, Adult Prenatal Coverage in Child Health Plan Plus (CHP+), was most recently renewed to be effective from December 21, 2020 through 2025. The demonstration expanded the income eligibility for uninsured pregnant Medicaid expansion clients who would have been covered under CHP+ if not for the federal poverty level (FPL) expansion of 141% to 195%. The state has targeted this population to achieve three key objectives:

  1. Decrease the uninsured rate for pregnant women,
  2. Increase prenatal and postpartum care for pregnant women enrolled in the demonstration, and,
  3. Increase the number of healthy babies born to pregnant women enrolled in the demonstration.

On June 16, 2021, The Colorado Department of Health Care Policy and Financing presented on the demonstration's progress, and future evaluation design at the monthly Accountable Care Collaborative Program Improvement Advisory Committee meeting. The 2020-2025 Evaluation Design is posted below:

Notice of Post Award Forum

Public Comments on the progress of State of Colorado’s Section 1115 Prenatal Demonstration

Notice is hereby given that the Colorado Department of Health Care Policy & Financing (Department) is seeking public comments on the progress of the State of Colorado’s Medicaid Section 1115 Prenatal Demonstration. The Department Welcomes public comment on the progress of the state’s Section 1115 Prenatal Demonstration at the following public forum:

Child Health Plan Plus (CHP+) Prenatal Coverage Stakeholder Meeting
June 3, 2025 
11:00 am - 12:00 pm‬
Registration Link

Auxiliary aids and services for individuals with disabilities and language services for individuals whose first language is not English may be provided upon request. Please notify the Stakeholder Engagement Team at hcpf_stakeholders@state.co.us or the Civil Rights Officer at hcpf504ada@state.co.us at least one week prior to the meeting to make arrangements.

Las ayudas y servicios auxiliares para individuos con discapacidades y servicios de idiomas para individuos cuyo idioma materno no sea inglés pueden estar disponibles por solicitud. Comuníquese con el Equipo de participación de las partes interesadas en hcpf_stakeholders@state.co.us o con el oficial de derechos civiles a hcpf504ada@state.co.us al menos una semana antes de la reunión para hacer los arreglos necesarios. 

Submitting Comments

During the public comment period, comments may be submitted via one of the following methods:

  • During one of the Public Hearing Virtual Meetings
  • Email to hcpf_PrenatalDemonstration@state.co.us
  • Fax to (303) 866-2573, Attn:1115 CHP+ Prenatal Waiver Application
  • Mail your comments to:
    Colorado Department of Health Care Policy and Financing
    Attn: Public Comment - 1115 CHP+ Prenatal Waiver Application
    303 E. 17th Avenue
    Denver, CO 80203

Additional Information

  • You can request a printed copy of the full application and other documents by:
    • Sending an email to hcpf_PrenatalDemonstration@state.co.us
    • Faxing your request to (303) 866-2573
    • Mailing your request to:
      Colorado Department of Health Care Policy and Financing
      Attn: Public Comment - 1115 CHP+ Prenatal Waiver Application
      303 E. 17th Avenue
      Denver, CO 80203
  • Colorado Register Demonstration Notice