Denver Health remains committed to providing health care to our community regardless of the ability to pay. The rising cost of health care requires us to define our community in an effort to remain true to this mission. As we have done in the past, we must once again carefully consider specialty care for patients who live outside the City/County of Denver. With resources limited and demand for medical care increasing within Denver, Denver Health is creating new policies for referrals to keep its commitment to provide high-quality specialty care to Denver’s residents, regardless of ability to pay. This move will help Denver Health have more capacity to provide high-quality specialty care to Denver’s residents and continue to meet its core mission as the essential safety net hospital in Denver. Current non-Denver patients who are uninsured and are receiving an elective procedure or specialty service will continue to be seen at Denver Health through their course of that specific treatment.
Health First Colorado and CHP+ Update
ATTENTION existing Health First Colorado (Medicaid) and CHP+ members please make sure your contact information is updated so that you will receive important updates regarding your coverage.
You can update your information in one of these ways:
- Visit Colorado.gov/PEAK.
- Use the Health First Colorado app on your phone. This free app is for Health First Colorado and CHP+ members.
- Call Denver Health Enrollment Services 303-602-2300
- CHP+ members can call 800-359-1991 (State Relay: 711).
- Contact your county department of human services
- Cover All Coloradans: Health Benefits for Children and Pregnant Persons
Health Insurance and Medical Assistance Programs
Denver Health understands that the process of finding health care coverage to help to pay for medical services can be a confusing process, which is why we guide our customers through a health care program screening process FREE of charge.
If you need help finding health insurance through Connect for Health Colorado. We will help you understand the options, calculate your monthly cost, and will help you estimate the credits that may be available to you.
If you do not qualify for any of the programs, Denver Health will still try to explore other payment options with you. In this case, you should contact our billing department or financial counselors.
Our enrollment specialists screen customers for programs like Medicaid and the Child Health Plan Plus (CHP+) program, and also screen clients for discount programs available at Denver Health, such as the Colorado Indigent Care Program (CICP), Denver Health Financial Assistance Program (DFAP), and Hospital Discounted Care (HDC) – these programs are designed to help make certain medical services more affordable for the uninsured.
You have several options when applying for or renewing coverage for Medicaid, CHP+, CICP, DFAP, or HDC:
- Medicaid and CHP+
- Online at the PEAK website
- Calling 800-359-1991 (M-F, 7:30am - 5:00pm)
- Medicaid, CHP+, CICP, DFAP, or HDC
- Calling 303-602-2300 (M-F, 7:30am - 4:30pm)
- In person at our Denver Health main campus location at 655 Bannock Street (Pavilion I), Denver, CO 80204
- In person at one of our Denver Health Community Health Center locations:
- Women’s Care Clinic (Pavilion C), 790 Delaware St. Denver, CO 80204
- Bernard F. Gipson Sr. Eastside Family Health Center, 501 28th St. Denver, CO 80205
- Lowry Family Health Center, 1001 Yosemite St. Denver, CO 80230
- Montbello Family Health Center, 12600 E. Albrook Dr. Denver, CO 80239
- Park Hill Family Health Center, 4995 E. 33rd Ave. Denver, CO 80207
- Sam Santos Westside Family Health Center, 1100 Federal Blvd. Denver, CO 80204
- Westwood Family Health Center, 4320 W. Alaska St. Denver, CO 80219
- Federico F. Peña Southwest Family Health Center, 1339 S. Federal Blvd. Denver, CO 80219
- In person options are based on first come first served basis so applicants are encouraged to come in the morning since there are a limited number of people who can be seen throughout the day.
Customers who are enrolled in a discount program (CICP, DFAP, and HDC) must be screened every year by an enrollment specialist.
| False Claims Notice | For Non-Denver City and County Residents |
|---|---|
| As stated on the application that you will sign, falsifying information on family size, income, housing status (homelessness) or home location is considered fraud and must be reported to the state of Colorado | If you live outside of Denver County, you can always receive emergency medical care at Denver Health, even if you qualify for Medicaid or CHP+. You MUST live in Denver County to receive non-emergent care at Denver Health under the CICP, HDC and DFAP programs. |
Health Insurance Open Enrollment
- Health Insurance Open Enrollment Brochure - English
- Health Insurance Open Enrollment Brochure - Spanish
Additional Patient Resources and Information
Food Resources
- Colorado Food Pantries
- Food Sovereignty Commun
- Southwest Food Coalition
- Food Pantry -- Downtown Denver Islamic Center
- Denver Food Rescue
- Denver Community Fridges
- Denver Food Rescue -- Public, No-Cost Grocery Programs
- Denver Food Rescue -- Community Resources
- Food Bank of the Rockies
Health Insurance Coverage Frequently Asked Questions
Connect for Health Colorado is a public, non-profit entity launched by the Colorado General Assembly in 2013 to create a healthcare marketplace. There, you can shop for the best healthcare that’s right for you and/or your family – with tax credits that make health insurance more affordable. It is the only place individuals and families can qualify for financial help to lower cost of private health insurance. Shop for healthcare based on quality and price, and then enroll in coverage.
An Open Enrollment Period is the period of time when you can sign up for, or make changes to, a health insurance plan. There is one Open Enrollment Period every year for Connect for Health Colorado and other health insurance companies doing business in Colorado. Open enrollment for 2024 health plans starts Nov. 1, 2023, and ends Jan. 15, 2024.
A Life Change Event is an event that allows you to change your current health insurance plan outside of the annual Open Enrollment Period. The specific type of Life Change Event will determine whether you can update your current plan, shop for a new plan, or enroll in a health insurance plan through the Connect for Health Colorado for the first time. You must report any change to Connect for Health Colorado within 30 days of the event. Examples of life change events include, but are not limited to: 1. Loss of job's health insurance; 2. Marriage or divorce; 3. The birth or adoption of a child.
Denver Health offers a free broker team that helps you navigate the insurance marketplace.
Each individual and family is different. You may qualify for free or reduced health care. Out-of-pocket costs such as co-pays and co-insurance can be tricky to understand, which is why our enrollment specialists are here to help you understand the ins and outs of the insurance system.
Some take as little as 30 minutes. Others may take longer. The process, with an enrollment specialist to help, can be simple and painless.
No, CICP, and DFAP, and HDC are discount programs and not considered health insurance.
Health First Colorado is the Colorado Medicaid Program. It is a free, state-sponsored health insurance program for Coloradoans who qualify.
You can apply for Health First Colorado (Medicaid) anytime throughout the year.
There will no longer be fines for not having health insurance.
Yes, but they are not eligible for Cost-Sharing Reductions or a Premium Tax Credit and may be limited to certain plans.
Those who are enrolled in Medicare or Medicaid are ineligible to purchase a plan through Connect for Health Colorado.
To buy a health insurance plan outside of the Open Enrollment Period, you must qualify for a Special Enrollment Period. Having a Life Change Event, such as losing health insurance coverage from a job, moving, getting married or having a baby, may allow for a Special Enrollment Period.