While we are not affiliated with the government in any way, our private company engaged writers to research the Unemployment Insurance program and compiled a guide and the following answers to frequently asked questions. Our goal is to help you get the benefits that you need by providing useful information on the process.
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Medicaid is a federal U.S. health insurance program that provides health coverage to millions of Americans. The program primarily covers low-income adults, children, pregnant women, elderly adults and people with disabilities.
Federal guidelines for the Medicaid program are established by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). Learn more about Medicaid at a national level on the CMS website here.
The Colorado Medicaid program is administered by the Colorado Department of Health Care Policy & Financing. Learn more about Medicaid in Colorado on the Department of Health Care Policy & Financing website here.
Through Medicaid, people gain access to health care services that may not be affordable without it. Additionally, some programs and benefits include special protections—such as provider network and payment methods—that help ensure services are accessible. Medicaid also provides preventive care and other services help people stay healthy and avoid costlier care.
Medicaid covers medical and health care services such as:
*Benefits with an asterisk (*) may need pre-approval. Additional services, such as nursing homes or personal care services, may be available to those who have special needs.
Medicaid does not cover the following types of medical services:
Learn more about medical and health care services that are covered by Medicaid in Colorado on the Health First Colorado Benefits and Services page here.
Medicaid recipients in Colorado may need to pay a monthly premium, which is a monthly fee for enrollment in the program. Premium amounts are based on the recipient’s annual income.
Recipients may sometimes need to pay a small out-of-pocket cost for treatments, which are known as copayments. Copayment amounts depend on the recipient’s age, household income and what the state pays for the specific service. There is a limit to the amount you can pay in copayments each month.
Services that require copayments include the following:
Each Medicaid participant through the Colorado Department of Health Care Policy & Financing has their own individual health care plan. Some participants may be required to pay fees, and some recipients may not be required to pay fees, i.e., are exempt.
Medicaid participants who fall into one of the below categories are exempt from copayment fees:
To learn more about Medicaid copayments, click here.
To qualify for Medicaid in Colorado, you must meet all of the followin:
Income limits vary depending on household size, medical status and other factors and are subject to change annually. Find the current Medicaid income limits based on household size in Colorado here.
Learn what documents you can submit to prove your citizenship and identity here.
Find further information on Colorado Medicaid eligibility here.
To apply for Medicaid in Colorado, complete the following three steps:
Learn what documents you need here.
To apply for Medicaid online, click here to access the Colorado PEAK Benefits Portal.
To apply for Medicaid by mail, click here to access the application form, fill it out, and mail it with the necessary documents to your local county office.
To apply for Medicaid in person, click here to find your nearest Health First Colorado office, or click here to find a nearby Application Assistance location.
To apply for Medicaid by phone, call Health First Colorado’s toll-free number at (800) 221-3943.
Regardless of your method of application, a face-to-face or phone interview may be required to process your application.
If you have questions about the application process or require assistance, call Health First Colorado’s toll-free number at (800) 221-3943.
Or, contact your nearest local Colorado Health and Welfare Office. Find contact information for local field offices in Colorado here.
Colorado Medicaid recipients must report changes that can influence their eligibility status, including:
You must notify Health First Colorado within 10 calendar days of the date the change occurs. You can submit your change information in the following ways:
You can check the status of your Medicaid application online or by phone:
The Colorado Department of Health Care Policy & Financing will review your application to verify if you are eligible for Medicaid. In some cases, the state may ask for additional information before approving your application. Colorado will mail applicants a letter detailing if their Medicaid application was approved or denied.
It takes approximately 45 days to process a Medicaid application. If you apply for Health First Colorado based on disability, it may take up to 90 days. If you are approved, you will receive a Medicaid identification card within 2 weeks of when you receive your approval notification.
Medicaid applications will be denied if applicants do not meet the eligibility requirements. Also, beneficiaries can have their benefits terminated or reduced if their eligibility status changes while they are enrolled.
Learn more about Colorado Medicaid eligibility requirements here.
If your Medicaid application is denied or the amount of your benefits is reduced, you have the right to file an appeal. You must submit an appeal request within 60 days of when you receive notice of the denial or benefits reduction.
To start your appeal, follow the directions on the Notice of Action or Notice of Adverse Benefit Determination. The notice may say you can tell your Eligibility Site or health plan that you disagree with the decision. Or it may say you can send a Letter of Appeal to the Office of Administrative Courts. Be sure to follow the directions on your letter.
The Colorado Department of Health Care Policy & Financing will review your claim and may ask for additional information or evidence of your eligibility.
If you are granted a hearing, you will receive a notice with the date, time and location of the hearing. Learn more about the appeal process in the Health First Colorado Member Handbook here on pages 31-35.
Colorado Medicaid recipients must report changes that can influence their eligibility status, including relocating to a new address.
If you move to a new residence within Colorado, you must notify Health First Colorado within 10 calendar days of the move. You can submit your change information in the following ways:
Note: Medicaid benefits do not transfer. If you move to a new state, you must reapply for Medicaid in your new location. If you have further questions about moving with Medicaid, visit the national Medicaid Contact Us here.
For help with a Medicaid application, or for any further questions about the Medicaid program, contact the Colorado Department of Health Care Policy & Financing:
Colorado Department of Health Care Policy & Financing
1570 Grant Street
Denver, CO 80203-1818
You can also visit or call a local Health and Welfare Office for further assistance. Find your nearest Health and Welfare Office location and contact information here.
While we are not affiliated with the government in any way, our private company engaged writers to research the Medicaid program and compiled a guide and compiled a guide and these answers to frequently asked questions. Our goal is to help you get the benefits that you need by providing useful information on the process.
Our free Medicaid Guide is filled with helpful information about how to apply, program eligibility and how to get in touch with local offices. You can view or download our free guide here.
Last Updated: September 20, 2022
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To apply for Medicaid in Colorado, complete the following three steps:
Learn what documents you need here.
To apply for Medicaid online, click here to access the Colorado PEAK Benefits Portal.
To apply for Medicaid by mail, click here to access the application form, fill it out, and mail it with the necessary documents to your local county office.
To apply for Medicaid in person, click here to find your nearest Health First Colorado office, or click here to find a nearby Application Assistance location.
To apply for Medicaid by phone, call Health First Colorado’s toll-free number at (800) 221-3943.
Regardless of your method of application, a face-to-face or phone interview may be required to process your application.
If you have questions about the application process or require assistance, call Health First Colorado’s toll-free number at (800) 221-3943.
Or, contact your nearest local Colorado Health and Welfare Office. Find contact information for local field offices in Colorado here.
Colorado Medicaid recipients must report changes that can influence their eligibility status, including:
You must notify Health First Colorado within 10 calendar days of the date the change occurs. You can submit your change information in the following ways:
You can check the status of your Medicaid application online or by phone:
The Colorado Department of Health Care Policy & Financing will review your application to verify if you are eligible for Medicaid. In some cases, the state may ask for additional information before approving your application. Colorado will mail applicants a letter detailing if their Medicaid application was approved or denied.
It takes approximately 45 days to process a Medicaid application. If you apply for Health First Colorado based on disability, it may take up to 90 days. If you are approved, you will receive a Medicaid identification card within 2 weeks of when you receive your approval notification.
Medicaid applications will be denied if applicants do not meet the eligibility requirements. Also, beneficiaries can have their benefits terminated or reduced if their eligibility status changes while they are enrolled.
Learn more about Colorado Medicaid eligibility requirements here.
If your Medicaid application is denied or the amount of your benefits is reduced, you have the right to file an appeal. You must submit an appeal request within 60 days of when you receive notice of the denial or benefits reduction.
To start your appeal, follow the directions on the Notice of Action or Notice of Adverse Benefit Determination. The notice may say you can tell your Eligibility Site or health plan that you disagree with the decision. Or it may say you can send a Letter of Appeal to the Office of Administrative Courts. Be sure to follow the directions on your letter.
The Colorado Department of Health Care Policy & Financing will review your claim and may ask for additional information or evidence of your eligibility.
If you are granted a hearing, you will receive a notice with the date, time and location of the hearing. Learn more about the appeal process in the Health First Colorado Member Handbook here on pages 31-35.
Colorado Medicaid recipients must report changes that can influence their eligibility status, including relocating to a new address.
If you move to a new residence within Colorado, you must notify Health First Colorado within 10 calendar days of the move. You can submit your change information in the following ways:
Note: Medicaid benefits do not transfer. If you move to a new state, you must reapply for Medicaid in your new location. If you have further questions about moving with Medicaid, visit the national Medicaid Contact Us here.
For help with a Medicaid application, or for any further questions about the Medicaid program, contact the Colorado Department of Health Care Policy & Financing:
Colorado Department of Health Care Policy & Financing
1570 Grant Street
Denver, CO 80203-1818
You can also visit or call a local Health and Welfare Office for further assistance. Find your nearest Health and Welfare Office location and contact information here.
While we are not affiliated with the government in any way, our private company engaged writers to research the Medicaid program and compiled a guide and compiled a guide and these answers to frequently asked questions. Our goal is to help you get the benefits that you need by providing useful information on the process.
Our free Medicaid Guide is filled with helpful information about how to apply, program eligibility and how to get in touch with local offices. You can view or download our free guide here.
Last Updated: September 20, 2022
