General Eligibility Requirements

 

Am I required to be on Health First Colorado to be eligible for HIBI?
Yes.  According to State law, all HIBI participants must be active Health First Colorado clients.  Click here to learn more about eligibility for Health First Colorado.

Am I required to be a resident of Colorado to be eligible for HIBI?
Yes.  All HIBI participants must live in the State of Colorado.

Can I participate in the Colorado HIBI program if I have access to Medicare?
Medicare clients are not usually eligible for the HIBI Program. If you are a Medicare client who has access to commercial health insurance (which is separate from your Medicare coverage) and your application is found to be cost-effective, you may have the opportunity to participate in the HIBI Program.

Can I participate in the HIBI program if I am in the Health First Colorado Buy-In Program?
No.  HIBI is not available to Health First Colorado Buy-In enrollees.

Can I participate in the HIBI program if I am eligible for CHP+?
No.  CHP+ is not a Health First Colorado program.

Do I need to be enrolled in a health insurance policy before applying to HIBI?
No.  An applicant must have access to a commercial health insurance policy that is either self-funded, provided by an employer, or COBRA.  If preferred, you may enroll in a commercial health insurance policy after it is determined you are eligible for the HIBI Program.  You must be enrolled in the policy before you can receive payments.

Will I be eligible for HIBI if my employer’s open enrollment has passed?
Yes.  You will be eligible for the HIBI Program if you meet all qualifications, regardless if your employer’s open enrollment has passed.  If you are eligible for HIBI, federal law makes it possible for you to enroll in employer-sponsored health insurance at any time of the year.

Do I automatically meet eligibility requirements for the HIBI Program if I am eligible for Health First Colorado and have access to commercial health insurance?
No.  An applicant that fits these criteria would have submitted an application that meets the minimum requirements to be considered for Colorado HIBI enrollment.  Once your application meets the minimum requirements, cost-effectiveness will be determined.  If your application is found to be cost-effective you will be approved for participation.  If it is not cost-effective, your application will be denied.  You will receive a letter by mail notifying you of this determination.

Can I be a HIBI participant if I am unemployed or have recently lost my job?
If you have recently lost your job and have access to COBRA you may be eligible for the HIBI Program.