Colorado residents who need affordable healthcare may have several options, including Health First Colorado, Child Health Plan Plus, Connect for Health Colorado, community health centers, public-health services, and hospital financial assistance.
The right option depends on household income, age, pregnancy, disability, immigration status, location, and whether other insurance is available.
Health First Colorado
Health First Colorado is Colorado's Medicaid program. It provides health coverage to eligible residents, including some adults, children, pregnant people, older adults, and people with disabilities.
Applications can be submitted through Colorado PEAK. Eligibility and required documents vary, so apply even when you are unsure whether you qualify.
Child Health Plan Plus
Child Health Plan Plus may provide low-cost coverage to eligible children and pregnant people whose household income is too high for Health First Colorado.
Ask about:
- Enrollment eligibility
- Premiums or enrollment fees
- Copays
- Provider networks
- Dental coverage
- Pregnancy and newborn coverage
Connect for Health Colorado
Connect for Health Colorado is the state's official health-insurance Marketplace. Residents can compare private plans and find out whether financial assistance may lower premiums or other costs.
Certified enrollment assisters and brokers may provide help at no charge. Compare the provider network, deductible, prescriptions, and out-of-pocket maximum—not only the monthly premium.
Community Health Centers
Community health centers provide primary and preventive care and adjust fees based on ability to pay. Some also provide dental, behavioral-health, prenatal, pharmacy, or enabling services.
Call before visiting to confirm:
- Whether new patients are accepted
- Which services are offered
- Sliding-fee requirements
- Required documents
- Appointment availability
- Language assistance
- Insurance accepted
Public-Health Departments
County and local public-health departments may offer or refer residents to services such as:
- Vaccinations
- Family planning
- STI testing
- Maternal and child health services
- Tuberculosis services
- Nutrition programs
- Community referrals
Services vary by county.
Hospital Financial Assistance
Colorado hospitals may offer financial assistance, discounts, or payment plans. Ask for the written financial-assistance policy before paying a large bill when possible.
Confirm whether the policy covers:
- Hospital facility charges
- Emergency services
- Outpatient services
- Physician bills
- Anesthesia
- Radiology
- Laboratory services
Separate medical groups may have separate policies.
Prescription and Medication Help
Ask a clinician or pharmacist about:
- Generic medicines
- Lower-cost covered alternatives
- 90-day supplies
- Manufacturer assistance
- Community health-center pharmacies
- Medicare Extra Help when applicable
- Pharmacy discount prices
Do not stop or change a medicine without professional advice.
Dental and Behavioral-Health Care
Affordable dental and behavioral-health services may be available through:
- Community health centers
- Dental schools
- Community mental-health programs
- County programs
- Charitable clinics
- School-based health centers
- Medicaid or CHP+ networks
Availability can differ greatly by location.
If You Lose Medicaid Coverage
Review the notice carefully and respond to requests for information. If coverage ends, Connect for Health Colorado may provide a time-limited opportunity to enroll in a Marketplace plan.
Do not wait until medical care is needed to investigate replacement coverage.
Documents to Gather
Programs may request:
- Proof of identity
- Colorado address
- Household income
- Tax-filing information
- Social Security numbers when applicable
- Immigration documents when applicable
- Current insurance information
- Pregnancy verification
- Disability-related records
Ask what alternatives are accepted if a document is missing.
Sources
- Colorado PEAK: Apply for benefits
- Health First Colorado: Coverage options
- Connect for Health Colorado
- Colorado: Other coverage options
- HRSA: Find a Health Center
This article is for general information only and is not legal, insurance, or medical advice. Eligibility, program names, benefits, costs, and enrollment rules can change.