Medicaid is a federal and state program that provides free or low-cost health coverage to those who meet eligibility requirements. Medicaid in Colorado is now called Health First Colorado (Colorado’s Medicaid Program).

Most individuals who qualify for Health First Colorado will have no monthly premium, no copay, and no out-of-pocket cost for most covered services. Some adults with disabilities or children with disabilities who have higher incomes than typical Medicaid members may pay a sliding scale monthly member bill based on a calculation of their earned and unearned income.

CHP+ members may have to pay small copayments for services and prescriptions.

Child Health Plan Plus (CHP+) is a public health program that offers low-cost health and dental insurance for Colorado’s uninsured children and pregnant women who qualify. Click here to learn about Child Health Plan Plus.

Visit https://colorado.gov/peak to see if you qualify and to submit your application.

See if you may qualify for Health First Colorado.

If you are approved for Health First Colorado, the State of Colorado will assign you a Primary Care Medical Provider (PCMP). You can choose another participating primary care provider at any time by calling Health First Colorado Enrollment. If you live in the Denver/Boulder area, Kaiser Permanente may be available as a Primary Care Medical Provider.

If you are approved for CHP+, the State of Colorado will automatically assign you to a Health Plan. Kaiser Permanente is a Health Plan for CHP+ in the Denver/Boulder area. To select Kaiser Permanente as your Health Plan, call Health First Colorado Enrollment at 303-839-2120 within 90 days of CHP+ enrollment.

Visit https://colorado.gov/peak to start your application process. This is the fastest, easiest way to apply – most applicants will find out immediately if they qualify, and you can check the status of your application online.

Learn more about the Health First Colorado application process.

You can apply any time during the year — there is no deadline. When you’re declared eligible for Health First Colorado or CHP+, in most cases you may be able to get Health First Colorado or CHP+ coverage right away.

Learn more about the Health First Colorado and CHP+ enrollment process.

Check the status of your application online through https://colorado.gov/peak, even if you applied by mail, in-person, or by phone. You’ll need to create a free Colorado PEAK account to check this. Or you can contact the Local County Services Office where it was turned in.

Once the state determines you are eligible for Health First Colorado, you’ll get a Health First Colorado ID card and can begin using your Health First Colorado benefits.

If you’ve been turned down for Health First Colorado or CHP+, you might still be eligible for federal financial assistance. Visit https://connectforhealthco.com/ to choose health coverage that meets your family’s needs.

Yes, families may find that only their children qualify for Health First Colorado coverage, or qualify for the Child Health Plan Plus (CHP+) program.

Please apply online at https://colorado.gov/peak, contact your Local County Services Office, or call the customer contact center at 1-800-221-3943 to apply over the phone.

Most individuals who qualify for Health First Colorado will have no monthly premium, no copay, and no out-of-pocket cost for most covered services.

CHP+ members may have to pay small copays for services and prescriptions.

Health First Colorado and Connect for Health Colorado both offer health coverage. If you qualify for Health First Colorado, your health care will be free or at a lower cost to you and your eligible family members and you are not eligible to get financial assistance on a Connect for Health Colorado health plan.

Families may find that their children qualify for Health First Colorado or CHP+ coverage while the parents qualify to receive financial assistance on a Connect for Health Colorado health plan.

Yes, if you get assigned Kaiser Permanente as your Medicaid Primary Care Medical Provider, you can choose your own doctor within Kaiser Permanente, or switch to a new Kaiser Permanente doctor at any time.

All of our available doctors see our Health First Colorado members. Simply visit kp.org/chooseyourdoctor.

You can find information on Kaiser Permanente medical facility locations, departments, and care here. You can also call Member Services:

Denver/Boulder
303-338-3800, or 711 (TTY)

Hours
Open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.

The Health First Colorado Member Handbook that you receive from the state gives you complete benefit information.

Use this link to view the Kaiser Permanente CHP+ Member Handbook with more benefit information: Kaiser Permanente Child Health Plan Plus Evidence of Coverage.

Once you are assigned to Kaiser Permanente, you can speak with a pharmacy representative who can help you transfer your prescription(s). Call Member Services:

Denver/Boulder
303-338-3800, or 711 (TTY)
Open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.

When you call, please have your prescription number(s) and the name and phone number of the pharmacy you wish to transfer them from. We’ll handle the rest.

You can also visit New Member Prescription Transfer for more information on how to transfer your prescriptions.

If you are a Health First Colorado member, be sure to bring your Health First Colorado ID card to your appointments before and after you receive your Kaiser Permanente ID card.

Note: You will receive a Kaiser Permanente ID card once you are assigned.

If you no longer qualify for Health First Colorado, you’ll have a limited amount of time to act to get other coverage before your Special Enrollment Period ends. You should quickly see if you are eligible for financial assistance from the government by visiting https://connectforhealthco.com/.