Health First Colorado (Colorado’s Medicaid program) does not pay for vacation supplies.
Can I get my medication early?
Early refills are covered when there is an increase in dosage or if a client is going into or leaving a nursing home. Clients may receive up to a 100 day supply of maintenance medications and up to a 30 day supply of non-maintenance medications. If you run out of medication, contact your doctor and discuss adjusting your prescription to your current needs.
Can I get help to quit smoking?
Contact the Colorado QuitLine at 1-800-QUIT-NOW (1-800-784-8669) for free coaching and support.
Talk with your health care provider about the benefits and risks of taking smoking cessation medications while you are pregnant. Health Care Colorado covers two 90-day courses of smoking cessation medication with counseling to help you quit.
Are over-the-counter (OTC) medications covered?
Select over-the-counter (OTC) medications are covered. For an up-to-date list of covered OTC medications, go to Pharmacy Resources: Appendix P and search for the “OTC Products” section. You can also ask your provider or your pharmacist what OTC medications are covered.
What is a renewal due date?
Health First Colorado and CHP+ renewals happen every year. Each member’s renewal month is usually based on the date they enrolled. For example, if your coverage started in September 2024, you would be up for renewal in September 2025. You would not have to take action until July 2025.
Members who live in the same household may share the same renewal date. Some members will be automatically renewed based on the most recent information already on file with the state. Other members will need to go through the renewal process and take action. Health First Colorado will send renewal packets to those members 60 to 70 days before their renewal month.
I need help filling out my renewal packet, or I have questions about the renewal process.
Contact your county eligibility worker. Find your local county human services department.
Call and make an appointment at an application assistance site. Find a certified application assistance site near you.
I have Family Planning Limited Benefit coverage. Will I need to go through the renewal process?
Yes, when it’s time to renew, as part of the renewal you must request the Family Planning Limited Benefit coverage on PEAK at CO.gov/PEAK or with your local county human services department to continue receiving these benefits.
What happens if I miss my renewal deadline?
If you miss your renewal deadline, you will no longer have Health First Colorado or CHP+ coverage at the end of your renewal period.
In the 90 days after you lose health coverage, your eligibility will be checked again if you give new information or if you turn in your paperwork late. This is called a reconsideration period.
During the reconsideration period, you can submit your renewal paperwork and any other needed documents to your county or through PEAK during the reconsideration period. This will show up as an item on the To-Do list in PEAK.
If you do not submit your renewal and other documents within 90 days of losing coverage, you will need to submit a new application to see if you qualify for Health First Colorado or CHP+.
I got a letter saying I don’t qualify for Health First Colorado or CHP+, and I don’t agree. Can I appeal this decision?
Yes, you are always allowed to appeal a decision about whether you qualify for health coverage. See our Appeals page for details.
How will Health First Colorado reach me when it’s time to renew?
Depending on your communication preferences, you can get notifications about your renewal through mail, email, text message or by notification if you have the Health First Colorado app. Learn how to update your contact information and communication preferences.