Retroactive coverage

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When will my Health First Colorado benefits start?

After finding out you qualify for Health First Colorado (Colorado’s Medicaid program) your benefits will start right away. Your benefits may also be backdated to the first day of the month you applied. If you applied for long-term care Health First Colorado or other special programs, your benefits start the day you meet all the requirements. See the Long-Term Services and Supports page for more information about those programs.

If you are not feeling well but are not sure if you need to go to the doctor, call the Nurse Advice Line at 800-283-3221. This hotline is just for Health First Colorado members and you can call it 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Your Health First Colorado card should arrive in 7-10 days. Your card will be sent to the address on your application. You can also access your Health First Colorado card through PEAK. You should always bring your photo ID with you when you see your health care provider or go to the pharmacy. You do not need a copy of your Health First Colorado card to get medical services.

It is important to know that it may take a few extra days once you are enrolled for your health care provider to confirm in their system you are enrolled in Health First Colorado. If you have questions about your coverage or benefits, please call the Member Contact Center.

In an emergency, you should get care from the closest hospital that can help you. The law requires providers to examine you to determine if your medical condition is life threatening and provide you with medical care until your life is no longer in danger.

If you need to fill a prescription, check to see if your pharmacy accepts Health First Colorado. If they do, provide a photo ID and prescription (or refill) to the pharmacy. They will try to fill it using the information you gave them. If they do not have enough information, pharmacies can give you enough medicine for 3 days. If your pharmacy does not accept Health First Colorado, call the Member Contact Center for help finding another pharmacy.

Link: "When will my Health First Colorado benefits start?"
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Will Health First Colorado still cover my medical bills before I’m officially enrolled?

  • Starting in January 2027,  low-income adults ages 19–64 who earn up to 133% of the federal poverty level (up to $20,815 per year for a single individual or $42,760 per year for a family of four) who are applying for Health First Colorado will only receive one month of retroactive coverage instead of three. This means that if you qualify and enroll in Health First Colorado, we can cover your qualifying medical bills the month before you applied but no earlier.
  • Children age 18 and younger, adults age 65 and older and people enrolled in long-term services and supports (LTSS) or buy-in programs will receive 2 months of coverage prior to their application.
Link: "Will Health First Colorado still cover my medical bills before I’m officially enrolled?"
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