The Colorado Division of Insurance (DOI), part of the Department of Regulatory Agencies, has extended the enrollment window for people who are no longer eligible for Health First Colorado (Colorado’s Medicaid program) coverage due to the end of the COVID-19 public health emergency.
The deadline is now Nov. 30 to enroll in health insurance through Connect for Health Colorado (the previous deadline was July 31).
People looking for coverage can get assistance through Connect for Health Colorado’s “We Can Help” website to find a broker, assister or a nearby enrollment center.
Many people will also qualify for financial help to make the insurance more affordable.
To get started and learn more about financial help, they can use Connect for Health Colorado’s Quick Cost and Plan Finder tool to shop for plans and get an idea of any financial help they may qualify for.
They can also call (855) 752-6749 or TTY: (855) 346-3432.
Missing this deadline will mean signing up for insurance during the traditional open enrollment (Nov. 1 to Jan. 15) to enroll in coverage that will start in 2025.
Health care coverage options
If you no longer qualify for Health First Colorado, you have other options for health care coverage.
• If you no longer qualify for Health First Colorado because you missed the deadline to respond, you have 90 days to complete and return your renewal. You can reapply or apply for Health First Colorado at any time.
• Child Health Plan Plus (CHP+) provides low-cost comprehensive health coverage to children, and sometimes pregnant women, for families that earn too much money to qualify for Health First Colorado.
• Health insurance through an employer. Check with your employer to learn about options, rules and deadlines.
• Coverage through a family member’s health insurance, such as a spouse, or parent if the person is 25 or younger.
• Coverage through Connect for Health Colorado (Colorado’s official health insurance marketplace).
• Coverage through Medicare is for people age 65 or older or people under 65 with certain disabilities or end-stage renal disease. For help finding a plan, contact the Colorado State Health Insurance Assistance Program (Colorado SHIP, a Medicare assistance program) at (888) 696-7213.
• Coverage for active or former military, naval or air service through Tricare (active) or the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (veterans).
To get free help filling out an application for Health First Colorado or CHP+ coverage, or to learn about other coverage options, call and make an appointment at a certified application assistance site.
Background
In January 2020, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) declared a public health emergency in response to the outbreak of COVID-19. Congress passed legislation that ensured anyone enrolled in Health First Colorado was guaranteed to keep their health coverage during the public health emergency. This was known as the “continuous coverage requirement” and also applied to kids and pregnant people covered by CHP+.
In the spring of 2023, Congress passed a bill that ended the continuous coverage requirement, so after more than three years of continuous coverage, the Department of Health Care Policy and Financing (HCPF) resumed standard eligibility renewal and disenrollment processes in May 2023 for Health First Colorado and CHP+.
HCPF began notifying Health First Colorado and CHP+ members in March 2023, and have been working through renewals month by month (based on members’ anniversary dates) to complete the renewal process for all 1.75 million Coloradans currently covered under these programs.
For more information about the renewal process and frequently asked questions, visit KeepCOCovered.com.
There are also videos in English and Spanish about the renewal process at HealthFirstColorado.com/renewals.
People who lose Health First Colorado or CHP+ coverage and are not eligible for Medicare can find more information about other types of health insurance coverage on the Colorado Division of Insurance Types of Health Insurance Information website.
People can also contact the division’s consumer services team with insurance questions about insurance at (303) 894-7490 or DORA_Insurance@state.co.us.
About the DOI
The Colorado DOI regulates the insurance industry and assists consumers and other stakeholders with insurance issues.
Visit doi.colorado.gov for more information, or call (303) 894-7499 or (800) 930-3745 (toll free).
About DORA
DORA is dedicated to preserving the integrity of the marketplace and is committed to promoting a fair and competitive business environment in Colorado. Consumer protection is our mission.
Visit dora.colorado.gov for more information, or call (303) 894-7855 or (800) 886-7675 (toll free).
