Don’t let immigration status stop you from applying for health coverage
You have options for getting health care coverage in Colorado, no matter what your immigration status is.
Starting Jan. 1, 2025, you might qualify for Health First Colorado (Colorado’s Medicaid program) or Child Health Plans Plus (CHP+).
Who qualifies (starting Jan. 1, 2025)?
- Children and pregnant people who live in Colorado,
- Meet income and household income eligibility requirements
- Immigration status does not matter
How is this possible?
A new Colorado law, House Bill 22-1289, known as “Cover All Coloradans,” will let children and pregnant people apply for full Health First Colorado or CHP+ benefits, no matter what their immigration status is, starting Jan. 1, 2025.
Emergency Medicaid Services
Who qualifies?
- You live in Colorado
- Meet income and household income eligibility requirements
- Immigration status does not matter
The Emergency Medicaid Services (EMS) benefit covers family planning and services necessary to treat an emergency medical condition. EMS is a limited benefit that does not cover all medical services. EMS covers people who qualify, no matter what their immigration status is.
If you qualify for and get EMS now, on Jan. 1, 2025, we will check if you qualify for full Health First Colorado benefits. If you do qualify for full benefits on Jan. 1, 2025, you will automatically receive them, without having to apply again.
Learn more about Emergency Medicaid Services and how to apply.
If you decide to apply, help is available in multiple languages.
Don’t qualify for Health First Colorado? Try OmniSalud
If you don’t qualify for Health First Colorado or CHP+, OmniSalud is a program that provides Coloradans, no matter what their immigration status is, including adults 19 and older, with a safe way to compare affordable, private health insurance plans and enroll on a secure online platform. The OmniSalud program is a safe option because you’ll be shopping for and enrolling in private health insurance plans through Colorado Connect’s safe and secure website.
Financial help is available but limited, so health insurance plans through OmniSalud may have a monthly payment.
Learn more about OmniSalud.
Help is available in multiple languages.
Health Coverage For Immigrants
Common questions
- Are there extra or special steps that people who qualify through Cover All Coloradans need to take when applying?
No. There are no extra or special steps for people who want to apply.
- Are there income requirements?
Yes. People who qualify must meet the Health First Colorado or CHP+ income requirements. Income limits vary based on household size. More information is available at Health First Colorado, CHP+ or Connect for Health Colorado.
- Can people apply at the same places they apply for Health First Colorado and CHP+ today?
Yes, people using Cover All Coloradans can use all the same places people go today to apply and enroll in Health First Colorado and Child Health Plan Plus (CHP+).
- Can people who qualify for coverage under Cover All Coloradans qualify for home and community-based services (HCBS) waivers?
Yes. If they qualify for waiver services, they will go through the same process as any other person to get these services.
- How many people will qualify for health coverage under Cover All Coloradans?
There is no limit on how many people can qualify and enroll into Health First Colorado and Child Health Plan Plus (CHP+).
- I need health coverage before Jan. 1, 2025, but I don’t have permanent legal status.
You may qualify for limited benefits through Emergency Medicaid or OmniSalud.
- Is there a specific time of year when people have to apply to get the new coverage?
No. People can apply anytime.
- What health coverage can adults who are not pregnant qualify for?
Adults who are not pregnant, live in Colorado, and do not have legal status may qualify for Emergency Medicaid, limited reproductive health benefits, or OmniSalud. Apply for Emergency Medicaid and Reproductive Health Services at co.gov/PEAK and OmniSalud at connectforhealthco.com/getstarted/omnisalud/.
- When will children and pregnant and postpartum people be able to receive Health First Colorado and CHP+ health care coverage?
Coverage expansion begins January 1, 2025.
- Who qualifies for the new public health coverage expansion because of Cover All Coloradans?
Colorado children ages 18 and younger, pregnant people, and people who gave birth in the past 12 months who do not have legal status may qualify.
- Will having Health First Colorado affect my immigration status?
Your immigration status will not be affected. When you apply, the information you share can’t be used against you in decisions about your immigration status.
- Will member ID cards look different from current Health First Colorado and CHP+ member ID cards?
No, all members will get the Health First Colorado and CHP+ member cards. This is to help ensure members who qualify under Cover All Coloradans are treated the same as Health First Colorado and CHP+ members.
- Will receiving these benefits impact the ability to fix a person’s immigration status in the future?
No. Receiving these benefits will not impact your immigration status. For more information, see the Public Charge flyers on the Cover All Coloradans website in both English and Spanish.
- Will you share my information?
No, the information you give on your application is private. We won’t share it with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services or anyone else. Colorado law keeps your personal information safe when you apply for or use most public benefits.
