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.

Health insurance companies set the premiums for their health plans each year. Before those rates can take effect, they are reviewed by the Colorado Division of Insurance to make sure they meet state and federal laws and are based on the expected cost of providing coverage.

Many factors can affect the cost of health insurance, including the overall cost of medical care, prescription drugs, the cost of care that hospitals and providers deliver but are not paid for, the health needs of people enrolled in health plans and changes in state or federal laws. If you qualify for financial help, federal premium tax credits and state-based premium subsidies can help lower your monthly premium.

Connect for Health Colorado does not set or approve health insurance rates. Our role is to provide a marketplace where you can compare plans, see if you qualify for financial help, and choose the coverage that best fits your needs and budget.

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 1-855-695-5935, Monday- Friday, 8 am to 5 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.

If you would like someone to help you with the application process, we offer free, expert help from our Certified Brokers and Assisters.

Tax Dependents

You (the taxpayer), your spouse/partner (if you file taxes jointly), and whoever is claimed as a dependent on your tax return.

Adult Children Up to Age 26

Even if you no longer claim your adult child on your tax return, you can include them on your application and enroll them in your family health insurance plan. You will want to provide their address, income, and tax filing status on the application, which means they may qualify for different financial help programs, or a different amount, than the rest of the household.

Victims of Domestic Violence and/or Spousal Abandonment

You can qualify for financial help, even if you are married and filing separately, if you are the victim of domestic violence and/or spousal abandonment.

Information about tax households, the definition of a dependent, and other tax filing topics can be found on the IRS website.

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.

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.