Medical Assistance

To save time and help the process go faster, please be prepared to supply the following documents and information:

• Your identification, such as a driver’s license, tribal ID, or other photo ID
• Social Security numbers (or proof of application) for everyone requesting benefits
• Proof of household income, such as pay stubs, Social Security award letters, or child support documentation
• Proof of U.S. status for everyone you are applying for, such as a Visa, Legal Permanent Resident Card, Passport, or Employment Authorization Card
• If someone is pregnant, proof of the expected due date (a letter or statement from a doctor or health care provider)
• If on Medicare and applying for the Medicare Savings Program (MSP):
  • Proof of other resources or assets, such as checking or savings account statements, vehicle information, retirement accounts, stocks, or life insurance policies

Do I Qualify?

The best way to find out if you qualify is to apply online.

Apply Now

You may qualify for Health First Colorado if you meet the income guidelines below:

Approximate Monthly Income to Qualify for Health First Colorado

HCPF | Colorado Department of Health Care Policy & Financing

How can I get help with my medical bills and visits to the doctor and dentist?

• Health First Colorado (Colorado’s Medicaid Program) is free or low-cost public health insurance for Coloradans who qualify. It can cover doctor visits, emergency care, preventive care (such as screenings and immunizations), and other procedures and treatments. You may also qualify for Long-Term Care, which includes nursing facility care and Home and Community-Based Services delivered in your home.
• Child Health Plan Plus (CHP+) is low-cost public health insurance for Colorado’s uninsured children and pregnant women who earn too much to qualify for Health First Colorado but cannot afford private insurance.
• Colorado Indigent Care Program (CICP) provides discounted health services through qualified providers to Colorado residents, migrant workers, and legal immigrants who are uninsured or underinsured. CICP is not a health insurance program. Services are limited to participating hospitals and clinics. Click here to learn how to apply.
• Connect for Health Colorado is the only place where Coloradans can access new financial assistance based on income and other factors to reduce the cost of health insurance. Visit their site for more information.
• Medicare is a medical insurance program for low-income individuals who have paid Social Security taxes and are at least 62 years of age, as well as their spouses and disabled children.
  • The Medicare Savings Program (MSP) may help pay for Medicare Part A or Part B premiums. It can also help cover deductibles, coinsurance, and copayments for those who meet income and resource limits.
• Health First Colorado Dental Providers — Directory
  • Eligible adults enrolled in Health First Colorado can receive up to $1,000 per year in preventive dental care.

Medicare Savings Plan (MSP)

HCPF | Colorado Department of Health Care Policy & Financing

Medicare is a medical insurance program for low-income individuals who have paid Social Security taxes and are at least 62 years of age, as well as their spouses and disabled children. The Medicare Savings Program (MSP) may help pay for Medicare Part A or Part B premiums. It can also help cover deductibles, coinsurance, and copayments for people who have Medicare Part A, meet certain income limits, and have limited resources.

Note: Medicare provides coverage to people who are 65 and older or have a severe disability, regardless of income. Medicaid provides coverage to people with low incomes. When you apply for benefits with us, we can help determine which non-Medicare programs you qualify for and assist with the health insurance application process.

Visit www.medicare.gov for information on how and when to apply for Medicare. (We do not enroll or determine eligibility for Medicare.)

Medicare Savings Program Categories

The Medicare Savings Program includes several categories that assist with health care costs for eligible Medicare Part A patients.

Qualified Medicare Beneficiary (QMB)

• Pays for monthly Medicare premiums, deductibles, and coinsurance
• Eligibility begins the month after the application is approved
• Must currently be eligible for Medicare Part A
• Prescriptions are covered under Medicare Part D
• Income guideline: $1,153 individual / $1,546 couple
• Resource guideline: $9,900 individual / $15,600 couple

Supplementary Medical Insurance Benefits (SLMB)

• Pays Medicare Part B premium
• Must be currently eligible for Medicare Part A
• Income guideline: $1,379 individual / $1,851 couple
• Resource guideline: $9,900 individual / $15,600 couple
• Medicare Part B premiums are the only benefit available under Medicaid for SLMB

Qualified Individuals (QI-1)

• Pays Medicare Part B premium
• Must be currently eligible for Medicare Part A
• Income guideline: $1,549 individual / $2,080 couple
• Resource guideline: $9,900 individual / $15,600 couple
• Medicaid may pay for doctor visits, medical supplies, labs, x-rays, and ambulance services

Low-Income Subsidy (LIS) / Extra Help Part D

• Pays Medicare Part D premium only
• Must be currently eligible for Medicare Part A
• Income guideline: $1,699 individual / $2,289 couple
• Resource guideline: $14,790 individual / $29,520 couple

LIS helps pay for Part D monthly premiums, annual deductibles, coinsurance, and copayments.

Qualified Disabled and Working Individuals (QDWI)

QDWI pays for your Medicare Part A premiums only. You are still responsible for deductibles and coinsurance.

For more information, visit
Colorado HCPF Programs for Adults.

Online

Click to Apply Online Now – Colorado PEAK

PDF Download

Print and complete the PDF application. Be sure to sign it—unsigned applications cannot be processed.

• Health First Colorado & CHP+ Application – English
• Health First Colorado & CHP+ Application – Spanish

In-Person

Visit any of our offices Monday–Friday, 8:30 AM – 4:30 PM to pick up an application:

Long Term Care (LTC)

HCPF | Colorado Department of Health Care Policy & Financing

Long-Term Care Medicaid includes nursing facility care and Home and Community-Based Services, where medical providers come into the home to provide necessary services that help prevent institutionalization in a nursing facility or hospital.

Long Term Care (LTC) Requirements and Details

• Colorado HCPF Website
• Income guideline: $2,742 — Contact the county if your income exceeds this limit; assistance may still be available.
• Resource limit: $2,000 for an individual / $3,000 for a couple
• Applicants must receive long-term care services for 30 consecutive days before eligibility can be approved
• Applicants cannot transfer assets for less than fair market value within 5 years of applying; such transfers may result in temporary ineligibility
• Items commonly needed to process an application:
  • Legal identification
  • Alien Card or Naturalization Certificate (if applicable)
  • Social Security and Medicare cards
  • Verification of supplemental health coverage
  • Birth or Baptismal certificate
  • Marriage certificate / Divorce decree
  • Spouse’s death certificate (if applicable)
  • Address verification (rent receipts, utility bills)
  • Mortgage verification and current property tax assessment
  • Checking and savings account statements (last 3 months)
  • Vehicle registrations and auto insurance ID/policy
  • Life or burial insurance policies/contracts
  • Power of Attorney documentation (if applicable)
  • Employment check stubs (last 3 months for self/spouse)
  • Income verification for Social Security, SSI, VA, annuities, dividends, royalties, etc. (net and gross from source)

Note: Providing copies of these documents at your interview will help speed processing. These items are not required to submit your application initially; you will be informed of what’s needed after review.

Online

Click to Apply Online Now – Colorado PEAK

PDF Download

Print and complete the paper application. Be sure to sign it—unsigned applications cannot be processed.

• Health First Colorado & CHP+ Application – English
• Health First Colorado & CHP+ Application – Spanish

In-Person

Visit our office Monday–Friday, 8:30 AM – 4:30 PM to pick up an application: