In partnership with the Colorado Division of Insurance and Connect for Health Colorado, and in support of the Polis administration’s commitment to saving people money on healthcare, Health Care Policy and Financing (HCPF) is committed to connecting Coloradans to affordable healthcare coverage for which they qualify.
We have created toolkit materials for our partners to use encouraging members to take action on their renewals and learn about other health coverage options.
Downloadable Resources: #KeepCOCovered
Affordable Health Care Options for Coloradans
- Health First Colorado (Colorado’s Medicaid program) and Child Health Plan Plus (CHP+) - Health coverage for those who qualify with no deductibles, no premiums, and no copays in most cases with year-round, open enrollment.
- Cover all Coloradans - Starting January 1, 2025, Colorado children ages 18 and younger and pregnant people living in Colorado, no matter what their immigration status is, can apply to get health coverage through Health First Colorado (Colorado’s Medicaid program) and Child Health Plan Plus (CHP+). Learn more about Cover All Coloradans.
- Connect for Health Colorado, Colorado’s Official Health Insurance Marketplace - You may qualify for reduced-cost health insurance coverage through Connect for Health Colorado. Assistance enrolling in Connect for Health Colorado coverage is available from Connect for Health Colorado’s network of certified assisters and brokers. Coloradans can enroll in a plan during their special enrollment period and find local enrollment assistance by calling the Customer Service Center at 855-752-6749.
- Employer coverage - Check with your employer to learn about employer sponsored health plan options, rules and deadlines.
- You may qualify to be added as a dependent to another family member’s health insurance plan, such as a spouse, or a parent if the person is 25 or younger. If someone meets these criteria, they should talk with their spouse or parent as soon as possible to avoid a gap in coverage.
- Medicare - For people age 65 or older or people under 65 with certain disabilities. Visit: Colorado Senior Health Care & Medicare Assistance
- If a Medicaid member is eligible for Medicare and needs a plan or has any questions about Medicare, they can contact the Colorado State Health Insurance assistance Program (Colorado SHIP - a Medicare assistance program) at 888-696-7213.
- Active or former military, naval, or air service through Tricare (active) or VA Health Care (veterans)
Health First Colorado (Colorado’s Medicaid Program) and Child Health Plan Plus (CHP+)
Health First Colorado and Child Health Plan Plus offer health coverage options for those who qualify with no deductibles, no premiums, and no copays in most cases with year-round, open enrollment.
In April each year, the income eligibility limits are increased to account for inflation. While a household may be over-income for Medicaid, it’s possible the children in that household could be covered by Child Health Plan Plus (CHP+). CHP+ also covers pregnant women throughout pregnancy and delivery and for 12 months postpartum.
To learn about Health First Colorado and CHP+ or apply for health care coverage, visit the Health First Colorado website.
Keeping Coloradans Covered is a focus at HCPF, and we continue to work towards ongoing improvements to the Health First Colorado (Colorado’s Medicaid program) application and renewal process while collaborating with partners to achieve shared goals.
- As Colorado has state-supervised, county-administered benefits assistance, we are collaborating with the Colorado Department of Human Services and counties to improve eligibility and application processes:
- Improving our systems that support members, applicants and eligibility workers including improvements to PEAK, the online member-facing portal for applications and renewals, and improvements to the back end system that eligibility workers use called the Colorado Benefits Management System (CBMS)
- Streamlining and standardizing eligibility processes to increase quality and consistency for service across counties through Joint Agency Interoperability
- Exploring policies and a new funding model for county administration as authorized by County Administration of Public Assistance Programs (SB22-235)
- We are updating our member correspondence to improve clarity, and continuing to increase renewal automation (ex parte) and digital renewal (PEAK) capabilities. For more information visit our correspondence improvement page.
- We continue to collaborate with employers, chambers, providers and other partners to raise awareness of all coverage options and thereby help connect disenrolling Coloradans to other affordable coverage.
- We continue to work to maintain the affordability of Medicaid and CHP+ coverage, while partnering with other state agencies, providers and stakeholders to Save Coloradans Money on Health Care, thereby mitigating the biggest barrier to coverage - its affordability.
Renewals
Health First Colorado and Child Health Plan Plus review information annually to make sure a member still qualifies for health coverage. Some members will be automatically renewed based on information on file. Other members will be asked to complete a renewal packet. Members must complete the renewal and supply required documentation by their renewal deadline or risk losing coverage.
If a current member’s circumstances have changed since enrollment - such as starting a new job that might put them over income for Medicaid - they should begin researching other insurance coverage options to avoid becoming uninsured and the consequences that can follow.
If members have questions about the renewal process, they can learn more about the renewal process or contact their county human services department.
Employers and Medicaid Providers
HCPF encourages employers across the state to proactively remind their employees about any health coverage options their organization may offer and how to apply. When a person no longer qualifies for Health First Colorado or CHP+ coverage, it is typically allowed for that person to join an employer’s plan; however, people should check with the employer on specific rules and time limits.
Health care providers and others who provide support services to Medicaid members should remind their Medicaid customers to look for and complete their Medicaid renewals this year and seek other coverage options if they no longer qualify for their current coverage. HCPF requests the health care industry to work together to make sure we keep Coloradans covered by getting them connected and enrolled into affordable health coverage options.
Outreach Resources
Use and share these outreach materials to encourage members to take action on their renewals and learn about other health coverage options.
Downloadable Resources: #KeepCOCovered
Flyers for digital and print use are available to download.