Top 10 FAQs

How can I apply for coverage and financial help through the Marketplace?

You can apply for coverage and financial help through Connect for Health Colorado in any of the following ways:

(1) Online – Complete your application online at ConnectforHealthCO.com.

(2) With a local, certified expert – Complete your application with a certified Broker or at a local Assistance Site with a Health Coverage Guide or Certified Application Counselor.

(3) Telephone – Call 1-855-752-6749, TTY at 1-855-346-3432, Monday- Friday, 8 am to 6 pm.

(4) Post mail – Mail a paper application to: Connect for Health Colorado Individual Applications 4600 South Ulster Street, Suite 300 Denver, CO 80237

Completing an application will let you know what financial help programs you and your family are eligible for. To receive the financial help, you must buy a health insurance plan through Connect for Health Colorado. You will not be able to receive financial help if you buy the health insurance plan directly from the health insurance company.

Am I eligible to purchase health insurance through the Marketplace?

To be eligible to buy health insurance through Connect for Health Colorado, an individual must:

(1) Be lawfully present in the United States;

(2) Reside in and/or be a resident of Colorado;

(3) Not be incarcerated.

Individuals who are not eligible to buy a health insurance plan through Connect for Health Colorado can still apply for others in their household who are eligible.

Health plans are categorized as Bronze, Silver, Gold, or Catastrophic. What does this mean?

Health insurance companies organize their plans into these different coverage levels (sometimes called “metal tiers”): Bronze, Silver, Gold, and Catastrophic. Each level represents a plan’s general approach to sharing costs with you.

You can apply your financial help to any one of the metal tier plans, except for the Catastrophic plans. Although prices vary between plans and insurance companies, all Colorado Option plans have the same benefits, copayments, deductibles and out-of-pocket maximum costs within a specific coverage level across all health insurance companies.

Learn more about the difference between metal tiers.

Am I eligible for financial help to lower the cost of health insurance?

In order to qualify for financial help, you must:

(1) Buy your health insurance plan through Connect for Health Colorado.

(2) Meet the income requirements based on your household size (Check the Quick Cost & Plan Finder to see if you qualify).

(3) Not already have access to health coverage that is affordable and meets certain standards.

You can determine which financial help programs you and your family qualify for by completing an application.

What income should I include on my application for financial help?

The income you report on your application that we use to determine how much financial help you can receive is called your Modified Adjusted Gross Income (MAGI). In general, it is your estimated adjusted gross income (the income you report when you file your federal taxes) plus any non-taxable Social Security, tax-exempt interest, or foreign income you have for the year for which you are applying. Remember to report income changes to Connect for Health Colorado to make sure you’re getting the right amount of Premium Tax Credit during the year.

Information about how to file taxes, including what incomes and allowances should be included, can be found on the IRS website.

What is a Special Enrollment Period?

A Special Enrollment Period is a period of time outside of the annual Open Enrollment Period during which you and your household can shop for and enroll in a health insurance plan. You might qualify for a Special Enrollment Period if you or someone in your household experiences a Life Change Event, such as losing health insurance coverage from a job, moving, getting married or having a baby.

What is an Open Enrollment Period?

An Open Enrollment Period is when you can sign up for a health insurance plan. There is one Open Enrollment Period every year. Open Enrollment begins on November 1 and runs through January 15.

What is a Premium Tax Credit?

A Premium Tax Credit is a financial help program designed to lower the monthly cost of health insurance for individuals and families. To be eligible for a Premium Tax Credit, you must buy your health insurance plan through Connect for Health Colorado and meet the income requirements. You can take the Premium Tax Credit in advance and apply it to the monthly premium, or you can wait and take it when you file your federal income taxes.

If you qualify for a Premium Tax Credit, you may also qualify for additional financial help in the form of Cost-Sharing Reductions. You can determine which financial help programs you and your family qualify for by completing an application.

What is Health First Colorado (Colorado’s Medicaid Program)?

Health First Colorado is a state-sponsored health insurance program that provides free or low-cost care for Coloradans who qualify. It is a type of medical assistance program and is administered by the Department of Health Care Policy and Financing. When you apply for financial help through Connect for Health Colorado, your eligibility for Health First Colorado will be assessed first. If you do not qualify for Health First Colorado, you may be eligible for financial help through Connect for Health Colorado.