Why is my doctor sending me a medical bill if I’m a Health First Colorado member?

If you have received a medical bill from your doctor or a collection agency, and you have confirmed that you were active on Health First Colorado (Colorado’s Medicaid program) on the date of service, first check if the date of service is within 120 days. If it is, please contact your provider and ask them to bill the medical assistance program. If they are having trouble billing, ask them to contact the Provider Services Call Center.

If the date of service on the bill is greater than 120 days, please get in touch with the Member Contact Center for further assistance.

I legally changed my name. How do I change my name on my Health First Colorado or Child Health Plan Plus case?

There are two ways to report that you have legally changed your name.

  1. Contact your local county office or Medical Assistance site.
  2. If you are enrolled in Health First Colorado (Colorado’s Medicaid program) or Child Health Plan Plus (CHP+) and do not receive food assistance, cash assistance, or financial assistance to purchase private health insurance through Connect for Health Colorado, you can also call the Member Contact Center at 1-800-221-3943 / State Relay: 711 to change your name.

English is not my first language. Will Health First Colorado pay for a translator during my doctor visits?

Translators are not a Health First Colorado (Colorado’s Medicaid program) benefit. Doctors and other medical providers must offer effective communication with their patients. Effective communication includes translators, American Sign Language interpreters, written material in another language, or other options to help people who speak a language other than English and for people with a disability. For more information, contact the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Coordinator.

If a member’s renewal is due toward the end of 2026, will their next renewal be for a year or for 6 months?

Members whose renewal is completed and approved through December 31, 2026, will receive a 12-month renewal period. They will not be moved to a 6-month renewal period solely because of the 6-month renewal transition.

For example, if a member has a renewal completed by December 31, 2026, they will continue their 12-month renewal schedule into 2027.

However, a member may move to a 6-month renewal period after January 1, 2027, if they report a change that affects how they qualify for health coverage.

Will all Health First Colorado members need to renew their health coverage every 6 months?

Starting January 1, 2027, some adults ages 19 to 64 will need to renew every 6 months. If this rule applies to you, Health First Colorado (Colorado’s Medicaid program) will send a letter to you.

Most members will still renew every 12 months, including:

  • Children 18 and younger
  • Adults age 65 and older
  • Pregnant members and members who were pregnant in the last 12 months
  • Parents or caretaker relatives whose income is 68% FPL or less
  • Members who receive home and community-based services (HCBS) waivers or other long-term services and supports (LTSS) programs
  • Members in Medicaid buy-in programs
  • Members who qualify based on blindness or disability
  • Members who have Medicare
  • Former foster care youth through age 26
  • Members who are American Indian or Alaska Native, including Indian, Urban Indian, and California Indian members

If people in the same household have Medicaid, they may not all have the same renewal date.

Will children still have the 12-month continuous enrollment? What about the 2-year continuous enrollment waiver for children ages 0 to 3? Has that/will that be removed? If so, when?

Children 18 and younger will have 12 months of continuous coverage once approved.

In July 2025, Health First Colorado received a letter from U.S. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) ending 2-year continuous coverage for children ages 0 to3. 

Children 0 to 3 will have 12 months of continuous coverage once approved.