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Colorado Access Supports Members Through Public Health Emergency Medicaid Changes

As the continuous Medicaid enrollment put in place during the public health emergency comes to a close, Colorado Access helps members navigate their next steps to maintain health care coverage

DENVER  – Colorado Access, the largest and most experienced public sector health plan in the state, is enacting widespread outreach and coordination with members, providers, and community organizations to help people navigate the end of continuous Medicaid coverage and the public health emergency (PHE).

Under the 2023 Omnibus Appropriations Bill, continuous eligibility will end and Colorado will return to the normal renewal process for Medicaid, known as Health First Colorado locally, and Child Health Plan Plus (CHP+). Coloradans who receive benefits through these programs will have to seek to renew their benefits through the renewal process and some may need to find other health insurance coverage, according to Medicaid requirements.

Colorado Access is working with the Colorado Department of Health Care Policy and Financing (HCPF) to inform and guide members through this process. The organization is also working with Connect for Health Colorado, the marketplace for Coloradans to purchase health insurance, local health alliances such as Mile High Health Alliance and Aurora Health Alliance, and funding two enrollment specialists to focus on outreach to those with housing insecurity through the Colorado Coalition for the Homeless. To ensure providers communicate with patients regarding changes, Colorado Access works directly with community partners as well as providers and their patients through informational campaigns and by providing resources. This includes collaborating with Denver Probation, Arc of Adams County, International Rescue Committee, and Arapahoe County Department of Human Services. Colorado Access staff are also placing information in food pantries, on Spanish language radio, and connecting with community members directly.

“The end of continuous coverage will be the beginning of the review of eligibility for tens of thousands of Coloradans who have Health First Colorado as their health insurance, and members will need to take action to continue their health coverage,” explains Annie Lee, president and CEO of Colorado Access. “Some will no longer qualify and need to connect to health insurance through other means, others will automatically requalify through processes established by the state, and others will no longer qualify for Health First Colorado, but will qualify for Child Health Plan Plus. Regardless of the scenario, we are here to navigate this process with each of our members. Please call, we are here to help.”

A member’s renewal date is based on the month coverage began. The first wave of insurance renewal packets go out in March for members with a May renewal date. If no response is received, coverage will end on the last day of a member’s annual renewal month. The redetermination process for all Health First Colorado members across the state will take place over 12 months, so not all members will renew at the same time. Members will be due for renewal in the calendar month they enrolled.

Colorado Access reaches members through text messages, emails, interactive voice recognition (IVR) calls, and direct proactive telephone outreach to the most high-risk members. Customer service and Medicaid enrollment services teams are trained on how to help anyone get connected to the resources they need—including other options for health insurance.

If you are a member, the most important steps to take to ensure continuity of coverage are:

  • Open your mail
  • Call the number on your insurance card between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday to ask for help
  • Complete, sign, and return your renewal documents
  • Update your address at co.gov/PEAK
  • Look up your renewal date at co.gov/PEAK

For more information and support with learning about your health coverage options, please call Colorado Access at 800-511-5010 or visit https://www.coaccess.com/.

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About Colorado Access

As the largest and most experienced public sector health plan in the state, Colorado Access is a nonprofit organization that works beyond just navigating health services. The company focuses on meeting members’ unique needs by partnering with providers and community organizations to provide better personalized care through measurable results. Their broad and deep view of regional and local systems allows them to stay focused on members’ care while collaborating on measurable and economically sustainable systems that serve them better. Learn more at http://coaccess.com.