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.

I was told Health First Colorado pays for services only after other types of coverage pay first. What are some of the other types of coverage that pay for my services before Health First Colorado?

Health First Colorado (Colorado’s Medicaid Program) is the payer of last resort in most situations. This means Health First Colorado pays for services only after any other coverage you may have pays first. If you have health coverage other than Health First Colorado, you should report that information to us. You can report other health coverage at Colorado.gov/PEAK.

The following types of coverage may be required to pay for your services before Health First Colorado:

  • Employer-sponsored insurance
  • Workers’ compensation
  • Medicare
  • COBRA
  • Veteran’s (VA) health care program
  • Casualty insurance
  • Dental insurance
  • Vision insurance
  • Pharmacy insurance

Which doctors take Health First Colorado?

Many types of doctors take Health First Colorado (Colorado’s Medicaid program). Health First Colorado can cover your doctor visits, emergency care, preventive care such as screenings and immunizations, and other procedures and treatments.

See the Benefits & Services page for benefit details and see the Find Doctors & Providers page to search for specific doctors or other medical providers in your area.

What is Estate Recovery?

Federal law requires states to operate an Estate Recovery Program to help pay for the costs of their Medicaid program. We recover medical assistance payments paid on behalf of former Health First Colorado (Colorado’s Medicaid program) members from their estates. We may only recover medical assistance costs from the estates of members who received services in an institutionalized setting or for the cost of services received by members who were age 55 and older. The law also provides exceptions to estate recovery and the ability to compromise claims.

What is a managed care plan?

Managed care plans are networks of physicians, hospitals, and other health care professionals who deliver medical services to members. To enroll in a Health First Colorado (Colorado’s Medicaid Program) managed care plan, visit enroll.healthfirstcolorado.com or call Health First Colorado Enrollment at 303-839-2120 (in Denver) or 1-888-367-6557 (outside of Denver). Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (closed state holidays). Note: The Health First Colorado Enrollment number is not for information on benefits or to find out if you qualify.