Yes, if you do not qualify for Health First Colorado or Child Health Plan Plus, you might be able to get financial help to lower the cost of private health insurance through Connect for Health Colorado. 

The amount of financial help you can get is based on the cost of the premiums where you live, how many people are in your household and your estimated yearly income. 

Use the Estimate and Explore tool to get an estimate of how much you might be able to save through different plans and programs.

• Watch your mail or email. You will get a notification from the State of Colorado with your application results. You will also receive a letter or email if more information is needed to complete the process.
• You may also check the results of your application through your PEAK account.
  • If you do not have a PEAK account, you can create one at Colorado.gov/PEAK. 
  • You can use your Connect for Health Colorado log-in and password information to sign into PEAK.
  • You can also use PEAK to manage your Health First Colorado or CHP+ benefits, print benefit cards, report changes and more.
• You do not need to submit another application through PEAK.

Yes. You can still purchase a private health insurance plan at full price if you qualify for Health First Colorado. However, if you qualify for Health First Colorado or CHP+, you will not qualify for financial help to lower the cost of your health insurance plan through Connect for Health Colorado. You will pay full price for your health insurance plan.

You can apply for Health First Colorado and CHP+ through your application to Connect for Health Colorado. Based on your income level and other household information, your application may be identified as eligible, and shared with the State of Colorado for review.

If you are approved for Medicaid coverage, your account will transfer to Health First Colorado. If you are not approved, your application will be reviewed through Connect for Health Colorado, including identifying any financial assistance you may qualify for through state- or federally-funded programs.

You can also apply for Health First Colorado through PEAK:

• Online at Colorado.gov/PEAK
• In person at your local county office or an Application Assistance Site
• By phone at 1-800-221-3943 / State Relay: 711
• By mail

For more detailed information about how to apply for Medicaid, you can also go to Health First Colorado’s website.

If your family size changes, you should report the change to Connect for Health Colorado. A change in your family size qualifies you for a special enrollment period.

 
If your income changes during the year, you may be eligible to switch into a plan with healthcare discounts that lower your out-of-pocket costs when you go to the doctor.

 
These changes could also result in an increased tax credit or it could cause you to owe money to the IRS. Call us within 30 days so we can help adjust the amount of financial help you receive. That way, you won’t have any surprises when you file your income taxes.

If you’re able to get health insurance from another source that is considered affordable and meets certain benefit standards, you will most likely not be eligible for financial help.

 
If you have an offer of health insurance from your job, you will most likely not be eligible for financial help to lower your monthly premiums through Connect for Health Colorado. However, members of your family who have the option to enroll on your job’s health plan might qualify for financial help on our marketplace and are encouraged to apply.

When you file your taxes at the end of the year, the IRS will double-check to make sure you got the correct amount of tax credit, based on what your actual income and family size was for that year. Some families may get more money through the filing process, while others may have to pay money back if their estimates were inaccurate.

 
Important: If your income changes significantly, you should report your change in income to Connect for Health Colorado so that your monthly premium can be adjusted.

The amount of financial help you can receive is based on your family’s specific situation, including your age, family’s size, where you live and your family’s estimated annual income.

In almost every case, yes. You can use financial help to buy any health insurance plan sold through Connect for Health Colorado. The only exception is for young adults under the age of 30. Young adults are offered Catastrophic plans, but cannot receive financial help to purchase a Catastrophic plan.

When you apply, you can decide to use some or all the financial help you qualify for in advance, or wait to get a credit on your tax return.

 
The financial help available to you—a tax credit made available through the government and only available when you apply and buy through Connect for Health Colorado—will be based on what you estimate your annual income and family size will be that year.

 
When you file your federal income taxes, the IRS will double-check to make sure you got the correct amount of tax credit, based on what your actual income and family size was for that year. And they will make it right through your taxes—some families may get more money, while others may have to pay money back if their estimates were not correct.

 
If you think your income may increase or you plan to move throughout the year, it’s best to take only some of the financial help each month or wait and take it all as a lump sum as a tax credit on your tax return, so you can avoid having to pay any money back