Stakeholders, Advocates and Partners:

First, we are excited about the distribution of COVID-19 vaccines. If you need clarification as to where you and your community are placed in the distribution plan, the graphic below will provide helpful insights. Concurrent with this distribution, we will continue to collaborate with providers and our partners in public health to do our part in managing the COVID-19 pandemic while providing clear messaging to protect the health and well-being of our members and all Coloradans. So, please continue to help us message about the importance of “masking up,” social distancing and following public safety guidance until all Coloradans are vaccinated.

With the economic downturn, many Coloradans have lost their jobs and, with that, their employer-sponsored health coverage. Accordingly, the Department will continue to connect these individuals and families to affordable health insurance coverage through Health First Colorado (Colorado’s Medicaid program), Child Health Plan Plus (CHP+) and Connect for Health Colorado commercial insurance offerings. Thank you to all the stakeholders who are engaging with us to battle the rising uninsured rate and keep Coloradans covered through this pandemic.

On Jan. 7, the Department has its Joint Budget Committee (JBC) Hearing. In one aggregated review, we will address key issues and answer submitted JBC questions on HCPF’s Office of Community Living, Behavioral Health services and all other topics usually covered in the Executive Director hearing. Due to the economic impact of COVID-19, the Department is covering more Coloradans than ever -- more than 1.4 million, representing almost 1 in every 4 Coloradans. Given that, it is no surprise that the Governor’s budget for 2021-2022 indicates that the Department will consume 29% of the state’s general fund and 35% of total state funds.

Given our share of the state’s budget, the state’s fiscal challenges and the continued rising cost of health care, the Department will maintain its focus on health care affordability strategies and initiatives. Our goals are to help protect our programs, cover all Coloradans who need us, efficiently use state resources and lead collaborative efforts with the commercial industry to drive affordability innovations and strategies that also benefit Colorado employers and Colorado families -- we are all battling the same challenges and can produce better results through collaboration. Look for a new Department health care affordability website that includes a toolkit of resources available to help communities control costs to the benefit of Medicaid, CHP+, Colorado families and our employers. Also look for a new Prescription Drug report that outlines the cost drivers and possible solutions to control them. Both of these tools will be released and discussed during our Jan. 12 Health Policy Summit, brought to you by HCPF and the Governor’s Health Cabinet. You can review the event agenda and register online. We invite you to join the more than 1,300 individuals who have already registered for this important event.

The Department has been and will continue to be an active leader in the Behavioral Health Task Force blueprint and priorities implementation. Related and beginning Jan. 1, HCPF expanded the Medicaid substance use disorder (SUD) benefit to include inpatient and residential treatment. This addition will complete a full continuum of substance use disorder services offered to Medicaid members, enabling the Department to better respond to the increasing overall demand for behavioral health services.

COVID-19 has not just increased demands for substance use disorder and behavioral health services; it has also exacerbated pervasive health care disparities. We invite your partnership as the Department identifies and shines a light on opportunities to address and close these disparities with the goal of better serving all Coloradans.

Our Department experts will also be engaging with the current and incoming federal administration to manage through the Public Health Emergency, which is currently scheduled to end on Jan. 20. Based on emerging insights, we are confident the PHE will be extended; however, we do not have that in writing yet and are working to secure that assurance. We will also be sharing evolving federal policy priorities emerging from the new administration and their impact to the Department, our programs, our members and all Coloradans. Look for more communications on that opportunity in the coming months.

Through this unique chapter and this calendar year, Department staff and leadership will continue to leverage our strengths, health care expertise and insights to the benefit of those we serve and all Coloradans. There is a bright light on the horizon with the vaccine now in the distribution stage. We are grateful to have your partnership on all the above work toward a better, hope-filled tomorrow. Rise and shine, Colorado! Rise and shine!

For more information about this benefit expansion, including an FAQ and SUD Provider Manual, visit our webpage, or email questions to hcpf_sudbenefits@state.co.us.  

The application is online. Application period: Dec. 28, 2020 through Jan. 18, 2021.

For more information, visit our website.

The app is free and does not share your personal information. It can alert you if you have been exposed to COVID-19 in the last 14 days. Visit AddYourPhone.com to watch a short video about how it works and how to turn it on with Apple or Android devices.

We have created educational materials and resources on our webpage, Here for YOU, Colorado! This page contains shareable content for websites, social media, emails and newsletters. The goal of our Here for YOU, Colorado! campaign is to spread the word about applying for Health First Colorado (Colorado’s Medicaid program) and Child Health Plan Plus (CHP+). 

We also have fresh content monthly featuring Coloradans who get their health care coverage through our programs, under “Ads” in the "For Coloradans Who Need Health Insurance" section of the webpage. December's ad features Colorado kids.

For more information, please read the memo: 2021 Increase to Resource Limits – Medicare Savings Program and Low-income Subsidy.

For more information, please read the memo: 2021 Social Security Cost of Living Adjustments.

Following a traumatic brain injury, Mike received life-saving care at no cost thanks to Health First Colorado. Watch Mike’s story and listen to Health First Colorado members tell in their own words how Health First Colorado was there to help. Other Health First Colorado members want Coloradans to know that they may qualify for quality health care coverage. Most Coloradans who apply online learn immediately whether they qualify. 

Please help us spread our message by sharing videos where real members tell their stories about getting quality health care through Health First Colorado. It's easy to share! Just visit our member video toolkit to find copy-and-paste messaging and videos to upload to your social media channels.

The State of Colorado, led by the Department and in collaboration with Advancing States, is launching its latest update to ConnectToCareJobs.com. 

For more information, visit the Connect to Care Jobs website.