General: Frequently Asked Questions

If you applied for Health First Colorado (Colorado’s Medicaid Program) or Child Health Plan Plus (CHP+), you can check your application status online through Colorado PEAK.

Even if you applied by mail, in-person, or over the phone, you can still create a Colorado PEAK account and find out the status of your application online. It may take up to 45 days — or up to 90 days if the application requires a disability determination — from the date your application was received for a case number to be assigned to you. Once you are assigned a case number, you can check your status and benefits online through Colorado PEAK. Get more information about your case number and where to find it.

You may want us to speak with or share your health information with someone you choose to assist you with your Medical Assistance Program benefits.

• If you want to authorize the Department to share with your family member or close friend, use our Personal Representative Form. This authorization does not expire unless you choose an expiration date. You will need to sign the form, have your Personal Representative sign the form and return it together with copies of your identification.
• If you want to authorize the Department to share your health information with an attorney, insurance company, advocate or assistant for a specific purpose, please use our Third-Party Authorization Form. This authorization expires in 1 year, unless you choose an expiration date. You will need to sign the form and return it together with copies of your identification.

If your income has changed or you’ve moved out of Colorado since you applied for Health First Colorado it is important that you update the information we have on file for you. You can update your income, contact information, job information, and other information by logging on to your PEAK Account at Colorado.gov/PEAK to report a change. You can also report a change to your local County Human Services Office or a Medical Assistance Site in your community.

After you give us your updated information, we check to see if you still qualify for Health First Colorado.

• If you do still qualify for Health First Colorado then you do not have to do anything. Depending on your income, you can still qualify for Health First Colorado even if you have private health insurance through your employer. If you have both private health insurance and Health First Colorado, your private health plan will pay your medical costs first, and then what is left over may be covered by Health First Colorado. If you still qualify for Health First Colorado, but do not want Health First Colorado coverage, you can contact your local County Human Services Office and ask them to close your case.
• If you no longer qualify for Health First Colorado you will get a letter in the mail that states your Health First Colorado benefits are ending. The letter will tell you the date that your benefits will end as well as how you can appeal the decision if you do not agree.

You can change your Primary Care Provider (PCP) at any time by visiting enroll.healthfirstcolorado.com or calling 303-839-2120 or 888-367-6557. For TDD/TTY, call 888-876-8864. Call Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. The call is free.

If your physical health plan is Denver Health, tell your health plan you want to keep your provider. If your physical health plan is Rocky Prime, tell your provider you want to keep them.

If one of your providers is not a Health First Colorado participating provider, you can ask them to join the network.

If you need help with a technical issue on the Colorado.gov/PEAK website, such as password resets, error messages, or problems with navigation, call the PEAK Technical Support Call Center at 1-800-250-7741.

Hours of Operation: Monday through Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 5:15 p.m.
Note: The PEAK Technical Support Call Center is closed on state holidays.

If you are temporarily out of the state but still a resident of Colorado, you may receive some Health First Colorado (Colorado’s Medicaid program) benefits under certain conditions:

1. It is a medical emergency.
2. Your health would be endangered if you were required to return to Colorado for the medical care/treatment.
3. The health care provider that treats you must enroll in the Health First Colorado program. Health care providers can visit the For Our Providers page for more information.

If you have more questions about seeing a health care provider out of state, call the Member Contact Center.

Yes. They can help decide if you should be seen right away. However, if you know you are experiencing a medical emergency, call 911.

Yes. The line is staffed by nurses who can answer your health questions.

Some Health First Colorado (Colorado’s Medicaid Program) services and benefits require a health care provider to complete a form or make a phone call that gives permission to get extra services and supplies if you have a special health care need. If you have questions about prior authorizations please contact your health care provider or the Member Contact Center.

Any Health First Colorado member can call the Nurse Advice Line for help.