The Health First Colorado Buy-In Program for Working Adults with Disabilities lets adults with a disability who qualify to “buy-into” Health First Colorado, Colorado’s Medicaid Program.
Health First Colorado is public health insurance for low-income Coloradans who qualify.
Health First Colorado Handbook: English or Spanish
For more information about the Health First Colorado, Colorado’s Medicaid Program, please visit the Colorado Department of Health Care Policy and Financing website or call the Member Contact Center at 1-800-221-3943.
There are several ways to apply.
Electronically:
By phone:
Paper:
If you are applying for a category of Health First Colorado for which a disability determination may be required, such as Long Term Services and Support or a buy-in program, you can print and complete the Disability Application, This must be completed, signed and returned to our office. Additional forms and information can be found here.
The Health First Colorado Medicaid program requires that eligibility be reviewed annually. You will be mailed a packet or notified by PEAK that it is time for you to complete your application through their site.
You must complete, sign, and return the redetermination by the date listed on the paperwork.
You can turn in your redetermination by one of the following methods:
Verification of current income, resources, or other items may be required at redetermination.
You will be mailed a notice or notified to check your PEAK account for the status of the redetermination once it has been completed.
Changes
There are several ways to report changes.
Electronically:
By phone:
By mail or in office:
Questions
If you have questions about your case, you can:
To find Medicaid providers, please visit the Health First Colorado Find Doctors page or call the Member Contact Center at 1-800-221-3942. State relay 711.
To find information on Benefits and Services, please visit the Health First Colorado Benefits and Services page or call the Member Contact Center at 1-800-221-3943. State relay 711.
There are several ways to request a Medicaid card.
Option 1: Print a card from your home computer by logging in to your account at Colorado PEAK. For detailed help see: How can I print a Health First Colorado card through PEAK?
Option 2: View your Health First Colorado (Colorado’s Medicaid program) card from the Health First Colorado mobile app. The mobile app is for current Health First Colorado and Child Health Plan Plus (CHP+) members. You must have a Colorado PEAK account or create one to sign in. The Health First Colorado mobile app can be downloaded at the Apple iTunes Store or Android/Google Play App Store for free. The Health First Colorado mobile app is not for people who want to apply for benefits. With the mobile app and a PEAK Account you can:
Option 3: You can call Douglas County Human Services at 303-688-4825 to request a card be mailed. The card will take up to two weeks to arrive.
Option 4: Finally, you can call the Member Contact Center at 1-800-221-3943 or State Relay 711 to request a card be mailed. When calling, choose option 5 to speak to a representative about ordering a replacement Health First Colorado card. Once you’ve completed the process the card will be mailed to the address on file and should arrive within two weeks.
Non-Emergent Medical Transportation (NEMT) is provided by IntelliRide.
If you don’t have a way to get to and from your covered health care services and appointments, you may be able to get a free ride. This service, called Non-Emergent Medical Transportation (NEMT), is not for emergencies. If you are having an emergency, call 911.
Set up a ride at least 2 days before your appointment. Call 1-855-489-4999 or State Relay 711.
Be ready to give:
You may bring a family member or caretaker to your appointment. When you call for a ride, let them know if you want to bring a family member or caretaker with you.
If you are having COVID-19 symptoms, call your health care provider and let them know before you get a ride to their office. Your health care provider may need to talk to you about your symptoms before your visit.
For more information, call Transdev at 1-855-489-4999. State Relay 711. Or, visit the Health First Colorado website or Transdev.
To choose or change a primary care provider or HMO, visit Health First Colorado Enrollment or call 303-839-2120 (in Denver), 1-888-367-6557 (outside of Denver), or State Relay: 711 for members with hearing or speech disabilities, Monday-Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (closed state holidays).
The Health First Colorado Enrollment number is not for information on benefits or to find out if you qualify.
For Medicaid billing questions, please contact the Member Contact Center at 1-800-221-3943. State relay 711.
When you call you will need the member’s Health First Colorado ID number, date of birth, and the last 4 digits of the member’s Social Security Number.
The Member Contact Center’s operational hours are Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. except for state holidays and the third Thursday of each month from 2 – 3:30 p.m.
If you were determined to be ineligible for Medicaid, you may qualify for tax credits to purchase health insurance through Connect for Health Colorado. For more information, please visit their website or call 1-855-752-6749. TTY 1-855-346-3432.
Medical services and connection to care is available through Doctors Care. Please visit their website or call (720) 458-6185. You can sign up for an appointment on their website.
Medicare is health insurance for people 65 or older. You’re first eligible to sign up for Medicare 3 months before you turn 65. You may be eligible to get Medicare earlier if you have a disability, End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD), or ALS (also called Lou Gehrig’s disease).
Medicare helps with the cost of health care, but it does not cover all medical expenses or the cost of most long-term care. You have choices for how you get Medicare coverage. If you choose to have Original Medicare (Part A and Part B) coverage, you can buy a Medicare Supplement Insurance (Medigap) policy from a private insurance company.
For more information, please visit the Medicare website or the Social Security Administration website.
If you are confused about Medicare and want more information about your choices and rights, call the Colorado Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) at 1-888-696-7213 or visit their website.
To learn more about protecting yourself against Medicare fraud or abuse, you can contact the Senior Medicare Patrol at 1-800-663-4227 or visit their website.
The Health First Colorado Buy-In Program for Working Adults with Disabilities lets adults with a disability who qualify to “buy-into” Health First Colorado, Colorado’s Medicaid Program.