The End of the Continuous Coverage Requirement

Colorado has returned to regular eligibility renewal processes for Health First Colorado (Colorado’s Medicaid program) and Child Health Plan Plus (CHP+), beginning with renewals due in May 2023. The renewal redetermination process will continue month by month, through April 2024 for all 1.75 million members. Each member’s renewal month will align with their already established annual renewal month. 

If a current member’s circumstances have changed during the pandemic - such as starting a new job that might put them over income for Health First Colorado - they should begin researching other health care coverage options to avoid a gap in health care coverage. The Department of Health Care Policy & Financing (HCPF) estimates that more than 325,000 participants will no longer be eligible for Health First Colorado or CHP+ and will need to find another form of health care coverage.

HCPF will be reporting its progress on “unwinding” the continuous coverage requirement to the federal government.

PHE Unwind Reporting

Today, HCPF released its second month of renewal information, for members whose coverage anniversary date was in June 2023. The unwinding data report for the June 2023 renewal period is live on the Continuous Coverage Unwind Data Reporting page. The information posted is point in time data about renewals as required by federal reporting and does not include all the new members coming into the program or those who will take action during the 90 day reconsideration period. Members can resume coverage if they still qualify by returning their renewal packet and any missing information to their county for processing within 90 days of losing coverage. Based on pre-pandemic information, on average, about half of the members who had lost eligibility were deemed eligible for Medicaid again within two years.

Unwind Reporting Frequently Asked Questions

This data is available monthly. Can we get the data more frequently?

It is critically important to share accurate information with the public, including our federal and stakeholder partners. HCPF does not have resources to pull ongoing ad hoc reports which also risk inaccuracies and public confusion if the numbers are different given different point in time data pulls.   

Can we get more detailed information? Is county level data available? 

Yes, HCPF will be sharing demographic and regional data breakouts in our quarterly partner webinars. This will be a deeper dive than the information provided in the federal monthly reports. Looking at this information quarterly will allow us to spot any trends and share those out with community partners.

For stakeholders interested in enrollment changes by county, we currently have county level Health First Colorado (Colorado’s Medicaid program) and CHP+ enrollment data available on our website in existing monthly caseload reports. These reports are published mid-month and include enrollment information for the prior month. The caseload reports are a point in time and include historical months.      

More FAQs about unwinding reporting can be found in the PHE Resource Center.

How can you help support members during the PHE unwinding process?

HCPF has developed extensive partner toolkits regarding the end of the continuous coverage requirement. Update Your Address, Understanding the Renewal Process and Take Action on Your Renewal toolkits all include resources to help members take action to keep their coverage. A new joint webpage KeepCOCovered.com includes partner resources and information for those who may need to transition to other health coverage. Flyers have recently been developed for Colorado employers to distribute to their employees to help spread the word.  

You can help raise member awareness about the renewal process by sharing the messaging in our toolkits. The materials in the toolkits identify key actions for members to take: updating contact information, taking action when a renewal is due, and seeking help with renewals at community or county resources when they need it. Flyers, social media messaging and graphics, website content, and other outreach tools can be found in our PHE Planning Resource Center. Partners can also educate themselves and their staff on the basics of the renewal process to assist members who may need help. See our Renewal Education toolkit.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about the end of the continuous coverage requirement and return to regular renewal processes are available in the PHE Planning Resource Center. Members with questions about the renewal process can learn more by visiting Health First Colorado’s renewal webpage available in English and Spanish. 

Thank you for your partnership and continued collaboration! 

We would like to learn more about your outreach efforts. Please take a moment to take this short survey.

Scammer Alert

Scammers are targeting Health First Colorado (Colorado’s Medicaid program) and Child Health Plan Plus (CHP+) members through text messages and phone calls. They are telling members they must pay to keep or renew their health coverage. Health Care Policy & Financing (HCPF) never asks members or applicants for money, bank account or credit card information, complete social security numbers, or any other financial information through text or over the phone. HCPF will contact members to ask them to update their address and contact information. Members can do this at any time online through PEAK and are not required to give this information over the phone. Please help us alert members of potential scams by sharing this important message. And report any suspected scam activity to the Attorney General Consumer Protection Unit.

Partner Webinars

HCPF will be hosting quarterly informational sessions about the end of the Continuous Coverage Requirement and the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency. These webinars are geared toward community partners such as advocacy organizations, providers, and community organizations who may provide other assistance to Health First Colorado or CHP+ members (housing, social services, etc.). 

The presentation and recording from the July 26, 2023, PHE Unwinding webinar are posted in the PHE Resource Center.

Next Webinar Information

When: Oct. 25, 2023, 1 - 2:30 p.m. Mountain Time

Register in advance for this webinar.

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar.

We would like your feedback on the format of future webinars to ensure they are productive for all. Please take a moment to take this survey to inform the structure of future webinars.

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