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Verify Member Eligibility and Co-Pay

Last updated: 08/8/2024
 

 

Table of Contents

 

Verifying Member Eligibility

  1. Log in to the Provider Web Portal.
  2. Click the Eligibility tab.
    Screenshot of Welcome panel with the Eligibility tab circled

     
  3. Click the Eligibility Verification link.

    Screenshot of Eligibility panel with Display Verification circled
     
  4. Enter search criteria (including the date of service), complete the CAPTCHA verification and click "Submit."  Effective search criteria include one of the following combinations of member information:
     

    • Member ID
    • Last Name, First Name and Birth Date
    • Last Name, First Name and Social Security Number
    • Birth Date and Social Security Number
       

    Screenshot of Eligibility Verification panel showing search types and CAPTCHA
     

  5. Confirm coverage types before rendering any services or submitting claims. Look carefully at effective and end dates. Eligibility coverage types listed in the Provider Web Portal include (but are not limited to):

    • Medicaid: "Medicaid State Plan" and "TXIX" (Title XIX [Title 19])
    • Behavioral Health Coverage through the Regional Accountable Entities (RAEs): "Medicaid Behavioral Health Benefits" and "BHO+B"
    • Home and Community-Based Services Waiver: “HCBS ___ Waiver”
    • Child Health Plan Plus: “Child Health Plan Plus” and “CHP+B”
    • Medicare: “Qualified Medicare Beneficiary” and “QMB”
      • If a member has QMB coverage but does not have Medicaid State Plan (TXIX) coverage, Health First Colorado will not provide payment unless Medicare pays first.
      • If a member has QMB and Medicaid State Plan (TXIX) coverage, then Health First Colorado is the secondary payer.
      • Health First Colorado is always the payer of last resort. Providers must be enrolled with and bill Medicare before submitting claims to Health First Colorado through the fiscal agent Gainwell Technologies. Providers have 120 days from the Medicare Explanation of Benefits (EOB) date to submit claims to Gainwell Technologies.
         

    Screenshot of coverage types listed with Coverage column title circled
     

  6. To identify any Third-Party Liability (TPL), or commercial insurance, click on “Other Insurance Detail Information.” Providers are able to add third-party liability information here as well.

    Health First Colorado is always the payer of last resort. Providers must be enrolled with and bill the TPL as the primary payer before submitting claims to Health First Colorado through the fiscal agent Gainwell Technologies. Claims must be submitted to Gainwell Technologies with the TPL’s Explanation of Benefits (EOB) date within 365 days from the date of service.
    top part of image: screenshot showing coverage types with Other Insurance Detail Information circled. Bottom part of image displays results from clicking Other Insurance Detail Information.
  7. For more information about a Coverage type, click on the title of the Coverage.
    Screenshot pf coverage types with Medicaid State Plan circled
  8. Note the Eligibility Verification Response Guarantee Number at the top of the screen. Click the + symbol next to a Coverage type for more information on coverage and co-pays.
    screenshot showing Eligibility Verification Response Guarantee Number

    The screenshot below shows Coverage details for a member covered by the Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) benefit, indicated by the modifier "MH"

    • Brain Injury: "BI"
    • Community Mental Health Supports: "CMHS"
    • Complementary and Integrative Health: "CIH"
    • Developmental Disabilities: "DD"
    • Elderly, Blind and Disabled: "EBD"
    • Supported Living Services: "SLS"
    • Children with Life Limiting Illness: "CLLI"
    • Children’s Extensive Support: "CES"
    • Children’s Habilitation Residential Program: "CHRP"
    • Children’s Home and Community-Based Services: "CHCBS"

     screenshot showing coverage details for HCBS member

    The screenshot below shows benefit details for a member covered by the Family Planning (FAMPL) benefit. A member with FAMPL is eligible for family planning services or family planning-related services when the intent of the service is to delay, prevent or plan for a pregnancy.
    Screenshot showing FAMPL benefit

    The screenshot below shows benefit details for a member covered by the Emergency Medicaid and Reproductive Health Program (EMS). EMS is a limited benefit that covers emergency, family planning and family planning-related services.
    Screenshot showing Emergency Medicaid Services benefit

Verifying Co-Pay Amount

  1. Verify member co-pay requirements by referring to the "Copay Amount" column under the Benefit Details section.

    screenshot showing copay amount column

    Members may not be required to pay a co-pay for every visit, so it is important that providers check the co-pay amount every time they see a Health First Colorado member.

    If a member has already reached their 5% co-pay maximum for a given month, or they are exempt, the “Copay Amount” field will display $0. “Non-Covered” will show when the coverage code is inactive for the member's associated coverage during the Coverage effective dates.

    The Pharmacy Coverage Code Description (CCD) will be used in conjunction with the “Brand Name Prescription Drug” and “Generic Prescription Drug” CCDs. If a value of “Covered” for Pharmacy services is received, the base co-pay due will reside in values next to “Brand Name Prescription Drug” and/or “Generic Prescription Drug.”
     

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Verifying Remaining Service Units – PT/OT

  1. Click “Expand All” at the top of the screen to view Limit Details. Refer to the Verifying Remaining Service Units Quick Guide for more information regarding Physical or Occupational Therapy remaining units.
    Screenshot showing coverage details with Expand All circled

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Verifying Remaining Service Units - Behavioral Health

  1. If applicable, check the member's available units of short-term behavioral health services under the Limit Details section.
    screenshot showing behavioral health limit details
  2. "5807 LIMIT MET FOR BH SERVICES" references the system audit that will post when the service unit limit is exceeded.

    This used benefit amount is calculated by subtracting all the paid units of service for short-term behavioral health a member has incurred within the current state fiscal year from the limit. Once the unit limit has been reached for the state fiscal year, a Prior Authorization Request (PAR) cannot be used to exceed it.

    Additional visits beyond the unit limit during a state fiscal year may be eligible for reimbursement by the Regional Accountable Entity (RAE) in accordance with their provider credentialing and utilization management policies and procedures. At the beginning of the next state fiscal year, the total units for that fiscal year will be available.

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Verifying Child Health Plan Plus (CHP+) Coverage

Effective July 1, 2021, any services provided prior to a CHP+ member’s assignment to a CHP+ Managed Care Organization (MCO) must be billed as fee-for-service claims to the fiscal agent Gainwell Technologies. Providers must be enrolled with CHP+.

The Benefit Details Effective Date must be set prior to the CHP+ Managed Care Assignment Effective Date. For example, in the following screenshot, any services provided from May 1, 2021, through July 14, 2021, should be billed as fee-for-service claims to Gainwell Technologies.  Services provided on and after July 15, 2021, should be billed directly to the MCO. Providers must be enrolled with the MCO.
Screenshot showing CHP+ coverage

CHP+ Managed Care Organizations include:

  • Colorado Access (also serves as a Regional Accountable Entity for Health First Colorado)
  • Denver Health (closed network)
  • Kaiser Permanente (closed network)
  • Rocky Mountain Health Plans (also serves as a Regional Accountable Entity for Health First Colorado)

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Verifying Managed Care Assignment

  1. Click “Expand All” at the top of the screen to view Managed Care Assignment Details. This panel will display only if the member is assigned to a managed care plan. It will show all of the plans the member is assigned to, as well as their effective dates of coverage. Refer to the “Benefit Plans and Billing Instructions” table below for more information on how to verify co-pay amounts and submit claims. Managed Care Organizations (MCOs) process all of their own claims. 
    Managed Care Assignment Details

     

    The coverage information will include the name or type of coverage and the effective and end dates of that coverage. Additional information returned in the eligibility response may display the following details panels in addition to the Managed Care Assignment Details:

    • Lock-in Details is displayed when a member is locked in or restricted to a specific provider known as a “lock-in plan.” To authorize services delivered for a member by a provider other than the designated Lock-in Plan Provider, claims must include the referring provider's National Provider Identifier (NPI). The Lock-in Details panel provides the Lock-in Provider's Doing Business As (DBA) Name and Provider Phone information.
    • Level of Care Details is displayed when a member resides in a nursing home and reports their level of care within that facility.

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Benefit Plans and Billing Instructions

See the table below for a complete list of all possible benefit plans along with billing instructions and co-pay notes.

Benefit Plan

Billing Medical Claims

Billing Behavioral Health Claims

Co-Pay

Health First Colorado Managed Care Organizations (MCOs): Medical Claims

Denver Health Medicaid Choice

Note: Span must show "Active."

 

Denver Health also serves as a Child Health Plan Plus (CHP+) MCO

Denver Health 

Colorado Access (even if Denver Health Medical Plan shows as the Regional Accountable Entity [RAE])

Most services, such as office visits, medications and hospital visits have a co-pay. Services for pregnant women, children 18 and under, American Indians and Alaska Natives do not require a co-pay.

Rocky Mountain Health Plans Prime

Rocky Mountain Health Plans also serves as a Regional Accountable Entity (RAE) and as a Child Health Plan Plus (CHP+) MCO

Rocky Mountain Health Plans Prime

Rocky Mountain Health Plans Prime

Contact Rocky Mountain Health Plans Prime for co-pay details.

Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE)

PACE

PACE

There are no co-pay amounts or out-of-pocket expenses for services covered under this program.

Regional Accountable Entities (RAEs): Behavioral Health Claims

Accountable Care Collaborative (ACC)

 

Note: ACC will only appear for dates of service prior to 7/1/18.

Gainwell Technologies

Appropriate Regional Accountable Entity (RAE)

Not applicable

Regional Accountable Entities (RAEs)

(formerly known as Behavioral Health Organizations [BHOs] and Regional Care Collaborative Organizations [RCCOs])

Gainwell Technologies, unless the member has Denver Health Public Health Intervention Program (PHIP) or Rocky Mountain Health Plans Prime

Appropriate Regional Accountable Entity (RAE)

 

Behavioral therapy is an exception and should be billed directly to Gainwell Technologies.

There are no co-pay amounts for Health First Colorado behavioral health services. However, if the member has other insurance, they must use that insurance first before using Health First Colorado benefits.

RAE: Colorado Access Behavioral Health for Denver Health Medical Choice

Denver Health Medical Choice

Colorado Access

 

Behavioral therapy is an exception and should be billed directly to Gainwell Technologies. 

There are no co-pay amounts for Health First Colorado behavioral health services. However, if the member has other insurance, they must use that insurance first before using Health First Colorado benefits.

RAE, Region 1: Rocky Mountain Health Plans

Rocky Mountain Health Plans also serves as a Health First Colorado Managed Care Organization (MCO) and as a Child Health Plan Plus (CHP+) MCO 

Gainwell Technologies, unless the member belongs to a Managed Care Organization (MCO)

Rocky Mountain Health Plans

 

Behavioral therapy is an exception and should be billed directly to Gainwell Technologies.

There are no co-pay amounts for Health First Colorado behavioral health services. However, if the member has other insurance, they must use that insurance first before using Health First Colorado benefits.

RAE, Region 2: Northeast Health Partners

Gainwell Technologies, unless the member belongs to a Managed Care Organization (MCO)

Northeast Health Partners

 

Behavioral therapy is an exception and should be billed directly to Gainwell Technologies.

There are no co-pay amounts for Health First Colorado behavioral health services. However, if the member has other insurance, they must use that insurance first before using Health First Colorado benefits.

RAE, Region 3: Colorado Access

Colorado Access also serves as a Child Health Plan Plus (CHP+) Managed Care Organization (MCO)

Gainwell Technologies, unless the member belongs to a Managed Care Organization (MCO)

Colorado Access

 

Behavioral therapy is an exception and should be billed directly to Gainwell Technologies. 

There are no co-pay amounts for Health First Colorado behavioral health services. However, if the member has other insurance, they must use that insurance first before using Health First Colorado benefits.

RAE, Region 4: Health Colorado, Inc.

Gainwell Technologies, unless the member belongs to a Managed Care Organization (MCO)

Health Colorado, Inc.

 

Behavioral therapy is an exception and should be billed directly to Gainwell Technologies. 

There are no co-pay amounts for Health First Colorado behavioral health services. However, if the member has other insurance, they must use that insurance first before using Health First Colorado benefits.

RAE, Region 5: Colorado Access

Colorado Access also serves as a Child Health Plan Plus (CHP+) Managed Care Organization (MCO)

Gainwell Technologies, unless the member belongs to a Managed Care Organization (MCO)

Colorado Access

 

Behavioral therapy is an exception and should be billed directly to Gainwell Technologies. 

There are no co-pay amounts for Health First Colorado behavioral health services. However, if the member has other insurance, they must use that insurance first before using Health First Colorado benefits.

RAE, Regions 6 & 7: Colorado Community Health Alliance

Gainwell Technologies, unless the member belongs to a Managed Care Organization (MCO)

Colorado Community Health Alliance

 

Behavioral therapy is an exception and should be billed directly to Gainwell Technologies. 

There are no co-pay amounts for Health First Colorado behavioral health services. However, if the member has other insurance, they must use that insurance first before using Health First Colorado benefits.

 

 

Primary Care Medical Providers (PCMPs)

Denver Health and Hospital Authority-Primary Care Medical Provider (PCMP)

Gainwell Technologies

Appropriate Regional Accountable Entity (RAE)

Not applicable

Primary Care Medical Provider (PCMP)

Gainwell Technologies

Appropriate Regional Accountable Entity (RAE)

Not applicable

Dental Claims

Administrative Service Organization - Dental

DentaQuest

 

Contact DentaQuest for co-pay details.

Child Health Plan Plus (CHP+) Dental

 

Note: The CHP+ State Managed Care Network (SMCN) will no longer be available to pay for health care services for CHP+ members delivered after 6/30/21.

For services on or after July 1, 2021: 

Providers should bill the CHP+ Managed Care Organization (MCO). If a CHP+ member’s eligibility start date occurs prior to the member’s assignment to a CHP+ MCO, providers should bill fee-for-service claims for services directly to Gainwell Technologies. 

 

Some CHP+ members may also have to pay a co-pay to their health care provider at the time of service. There is no co-pay for preventative care, such as prenatal care and check-ups. Other services may require a co-pay based on member income. Native Americans and Alaskan Natives do not have to pay co-pay amounts.

               

Child Health Plan Plus (CHP+): Medical and Behavioral Health Claims

Child Health Plan Plus (CHP+)

 

Note: The CHP+ State Managed Care Network (SMCN) will no longer be available to pay for health care services for CHP+ members delivered after 6/30/21.

For services on or after July 1, 2021: 

Providers should bill the CHP+ Managed Care Organization (MCO). If a CHP+ member’s eligibility start date occurs prior to the member’s assignment to a CHP+ MCO, providers should bill fee-for-service claims for services directly to Gainwell Technologies. 

For services on or after July 1, 2021: 

Providers should bill the CHP+ Managed Care Organization (MCO). If a CHP+ member’s eligibility start date occurs prior to the member’s assignment to a CHP+ MCO, providers should bill fee-for-service claims for services directly to Gainwell Technologies. 

Some CHP+ members may also have to pay a co-pay to their health care provider at the time of service. There is no co-pay for preventative care, such as prenatal care and check-ups. Other services may require a co-pay based on member income. Native Americans and Alaskan Natives do not have to pay co-pay amounts.

Colorado Access – CHP+ Managed Care Organization (MCO)

Colorado Access also serves as a Regional Accountable Entity (RAE)

For services on or after July 1, 2021: 

Providers should bill Colorado Access. If a CHP+ member’s eligibility start date occurs prior to the member’s assignment to Colorado Access, providers should bill fee-for-service claims directly to Gainwell Technologies.

For services on or after July 1, 2021: 

Providers should bill Colorado Access. If a CHP+ member’s eligibility start date occurs prior to the member’s assignment to Colorado Access, providers should bill fee-for-service claims directly to Gainwell Technologies.

Contact Colorado Access for co-pay details.

CHP+ by Denver Health Medical Plan – CHP+ Managed Care Organization (MCO)

Denver Health also serves as a Health First Colorado MCO

For services on or after July 1, 2021: 

Providers should bill Denver Health. If a CHP+ member’s eligibility start date occurs prior to the member’s assignment to Denver Health, providers should bill fee-for-service claims directly to Gainwell Technologies.

For services on or after July 1, 2021: 

Providers should bill Denver Health. If a CHP+ member’s eligibility start date occurs prior to the member’s assignment to Denver Health, providers should bill fee-for-service claims directly to Gainwell Technologies.

Contact Denver Health Medical Plan for co-pay details.

Kaiser Permanente – CHP+ Managed Care Organization (MCO)

For services on or after July 1, 2021: 

Providers should bill Kaiser Permanente. If a CHP+ member’s eligibility start date occurs prior to the member’s assignment to Kaiser Permanente, providers should bill fee-for-service claims directly to Gainwell Technologies.

For services on or after July 1, 2021: 

Providers should bill Kaiser Permanente. If a CHP+ member’s eligibility start date occurs prior to the member’s assignment to Kaiser Permanente, providers should bill fee-for-service claims directly to Gainwell Technologies.

Contact Kaiser Permanente for co-pay details.

Rocky Mountain Health Plans – CHP+ Managed Care Organization (MCO)

Rocky Mountain Health Plans also serves as a Health First Colorado MCO and as a Regional Accountable Entity (RAE)

For services on or after July 1, 2021: 

Providers should bill Rocky Mountain Health Plans. If a CHP+ member’s eligibility start date occurs prior to the member’s assignment to Rocky Mountain Health Plans, providers should bill fee-for-service claims directly to Gainwell Technologies.

For services on or after July 1, 2021: 

Providers should bill Rocky Mountain Health Plans. If a CHP+ member’s eligibility start date occurs prior to the member’s assignment to Rocky Mountain Health Plans, providers should bill fee-for-service claims directly to Gainwell Technologies.

Contact Rocky Mountain Health Plans for co-pay details.

 

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Verifying Third-Party Liability Coverage

  1. To see Third Party Liability (TPL) coverage (including Medicare), return to the Eligibility Verification page.
    screenshot with Eligibility Verification circled
     
  2. Scroll to the bottom of the page and click "Other Insurance Detail Information."
    screenshot showing where to find Other Insurance Detail Information
  3. This is where other insurance coverage (including Medicare coverage) is displayed:
    Display of Other Insurance information

    Add additional Third-Party Liability (TPL) information as needed.
    screenshot of where to add other insurance

    Refer to the "Adding and Updating Additional TPL Information Provider Web Portal Quick Guide" for step-by-step instructions on how to add TPL information for a member with TPL coverage that isn't already listed.

    For Medicare, Health First Colorado is always the payer of last resort. Providers must be enrolled with and bill Medicare before submitting claims to Health First Colorado through the fiscal agent Gainwell Technologies. Providers have 120 days from the Medicare Explanation of Benefits (EOB) date to submit claims to Gainwell Technologies.

    For Commercial Insurance, Health First Colorado is always the payer of last resort. Providers must be enrolled with and bill the commercial insurance as the primary payer before submitting claims to Health First Colorado.

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Need More Help?

Visit the Quick Guides web page to find all the Provider Web Portal Quick Guides.