As the PHE Comes to an End, Help Keep Coloradans Covered

After more than a three-year pause, the Department of Health Care Policy & Financing (HCPF) will resume the standard eligibility renewal and disenrollment process beginning this May for Health First Colorado (Colorado’s Medicaid program) and Child Health Plan Plus (CHP+). The federal Families First Coronavirus Response Act included a continuous coverage requirement for states to keep Medicaid and CHP+ members enrolled in coverage beginning on March 20, 2020. Since then, Health First Colorado and CHP+ have grown by about 500,000 members.

Resuming standard eligibility processes means that Health First Colorado members who do not complete tasks associated with the renewal process, as well as those who no longer qualify for Health First Colorado, will be disenrolled at the end of their anniversary month. Please note - no matter the renewal date, a pregnant member will have benefit coverage 12 months post-pregnancy end date. See HCPF's Reproductive and Maternal Health Programs and Resources webpage for more information.

HCPF will begin notifying members with May renewals in mid-March and will go month by month, for the next 14 months, to complete the renewal process for all 1.75 million Coloradans currently covered under Health First Colorado and CHP+. HCPF estimates that over the next year, more than 325,000 Coloradans may no longer qualify for Medicaid or CHP+ and be disenrolled from these critical safety net coverage programs. 

How You Can Help

• The most important thing members can do right now is to update their mailing address, email and phone numbers with HCPF and sign up for electronic notifications. The easiest and fastest way to do that is by visiting CO.gov/PEAK to directly update their information or chat with an agent to assist them.
• Members who are having trouble accessing PEAK can call the PEAK Help Desk at 1-800-250-7741. County human services departments can also help members update their information; however, members are likely to experience extended hold times, so people are strongly encouraged to use the PEAK website. 
• Members who receive a renewal packet must return it by the deadlines listed within this important renewal communication. The renewal packet will be sent electronically or through the mail in an envelope with red lettering reading- “URGENT - PLEASE REPLY” - to indicate the importance of the required, time-sensitive member action. For more information and videos in English and Spanish about the renewal process, please visit HealthFirstColorado.com/renewals.
• Some members will be automatically renewed and will not need to take any action to remain covered (about 30% and growing).

Health care providers and others who provide services to members can help by reminding their Medicaid members to look for and complete their Medicaid renewals this year and encouraging them to start exploring other coverage options if they believe they will no longer qualify for their current coverage. Disenrolling members should explore employer-based coverage, individual coverage through Connect for Health Colorado, enrolling on a parent’s plan for those age 25 and under, and Medicare. Additional information is available on the Division of Insurance website. 

For more information about the renewal process and frequently asked questions, visit KeepCOCovered.com. On this page, you will also find downloadable outreach materials to #KeepCOCovered.

PCMP Guide for Continuous Enrollment Unwind Processes

CCHA created a Primary Care Medical Provider (PCMP) Guide for Continuous Enrollment Unwind Processes and updated PCMP rosters to help you identify members with an upcoming redetermination date. Access your CCHA PCMP Roster via the CCHA Provider Portal. Click on the Request My CCHA Account button to request access.

HCPF worked with stakeholders and partners to develop communication toolkits to prepare members for the return to normal renewal processes. For the latest information on returning to normal renewal processes and other communication resources, visit HCPF's COVID-19 PHE Planning webpage.

Update Your Address Campaign

We know that many members have moved over the past few years. It is crucial that HCPF has correct addresses so that members get the information they need to keep or change their coverage. Please continue to help us spread the word to members to update their contact information. Update Your Address tools are available in the top 11 languages for Health First Colorado members.

CCHA provides free materials to assist in communicating about the Update Your Address campaign. There are two versions available. One is CCHA-branded, and the other provides space for providers or community members to add their own branding. Both versions are available at CCHAcares.com/order. Search for Is Your Contact Information Up to Date?

Find more information about preparing for the end of continual coverage at CCHAcares.com/uyi.

Preparing for Renewals Toolkit

The Preparing for Renewals toolkit includes renewal process information that explains key terms and provides sample notices so partners can see exactly what the member will see when they go through the renewal process. In addition, both partners and members can view short videos in English and Spanish on key actions: updating an address, completing the renewal process, and transitioning to other coverage if a member no longer qualifies.

Take Action on Your Renewal Toolkit

The materials in the Take Action on Your Renewal toolkit are designed to encourage members to look for their renewal packet in the mail and PEAK mailbox and take action when they get it. This toolkit includes general member awareness outreach partners can share on their websites, newsletters, social media and direct-to-member email and text messaging communications. It also includes downloadable, customizable flyers. These resources are currently available in English and Spanish. 

Health First Colorado Renewals Page

In preparation for renewals to start back up, HCPF has added an informational webpage for members on the Health First Colorado website. Members can find general information about the renewal process and answers to frequently asked questions. This page is published in English and Spanish. 

We can #KeepCOCovered

For information about the renewal process and frequently asked questions, visit KeepCOCovered.com. This page also includes downloadable outreach resources.

Colorado SNAP Emergency Allotment Benefits Ending

All Coloradans who receive Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits will see a reduction in their monthly benefit amount after February 2023. The temporary additional benefit amounts (emergency allotments) are ending due to recent congressional action. This is a change enacted by Congress and is not appealable. SNAP serves more than 290,000 households and 554,000 individuals in Colorado each month by providing money to purchase food and safeguard the well-being of SNAP participants and their families.

Emergency allotment gave SNAP participants additional money for food during the COVID-19 pandemic, bringing households up to their maximum amount of money for food they can receive for their household size and circumstances. This reduction in benefits may have a significant impact on many households. 

A messaging toolkit has been created for community partners and the general public to use to help get the word out about the end of SNAP emergency allotment benefits. For more information, please visit the SNAP website.