Last updated: June 20, 2026
Bottom line
If you are a single mother in Colorado and need health care, start with Colorado PEAK. One application can check Health First Colorado, which is Colorado Medicaid, and Child Health Plan Plus, called CHP+. If you do not qualify for public coverage, Connect for Health can help you look at private plan savings and next steps.
Children, pregnant people, and many parents may qualify for low-cost or no-cost coverage. If you already have a hospital bill, ask the billing office about Hospital Discounted Care before you agree to a payment plan. If you need a clinic now, use the HRSA clinic finder or call 2-1-1 for local clinic referrals.
This guide is for finding coverage and care. It is not medical advice. For symptoms, treatment, medicine, pregnancy concerns, mental health crisis, or a health emergency, call your doctor, a clinic, 911, 988, or a licensed health professional.
Urgent health help in Colorado
- Medical emergency: Call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room.
- Mental health, emotional, or substance-use crisis: Call or text 988. You can also use Colorado Crisis Services for statewide crisis support.
- Pregnant with no coverage: Apply through PEAK and ask a clinic, hospital, county office, or certified assister about faster screening.
- Hospital bill you cannot pay: Ask the hospital to screen you for Hospital Discounted Care, Medicaid, CHP+, Medicare, Emergency Medicaid, and financial assistance.
- No doctor and no insurance: Search for a community clinic through the HRSA finder or the clinic network before you travel.
- Need food, rent, or rides too: Call 2-1-1 Colorado and ask for local clinics, medicine help, food, diapers, transportation, and emergency programs.
Where to start
Do not try to solve every health problem in one day. Pick the path that fits your most urgent need, then keep copies of every notice, bill, upload receipt, and call note.
I need insurance
Apply through PEAK. Colorado says people can apply for Health First Colorado and CHP+ any time of year. If your income is too high, ask about Connect for Health Colorado and private plan savings.
My child needs care
Apply for the whole household. A child may qualify for Health First Colorado or CHP+ even when a parent does not qualify for adult Medicaid.
I am pregnant
Apply right away, report pregnancy, and ask your clinic or hospital about faster screening. Pregnancy can change eligibility and may open extra benefits.
I have a bill
Call billing and ask for Hospital Discounted Care, charity care, Medicaid screening, and an itemized bill. Do this before paying if you can.
For a broader state benefit plan, see the Colorado help guide. For national background, use the Medicaid guide as a plain-language backup.
Quick reference: Colorado health help
| Need | Best first step | Reality check |
|---|---|---|
| Coverage for you | Apply through Colorado PEAK or ask a county office for help. | Adults may have lower income limits than children and pregnant people. |
| Coverage for children | Check Health First Colorado first, then CHP+ if income is higher. | Children can qualify even when a parent must use another option. |
| Pregnancy care | Apply, report pregnancy, and ask about faster screening. | Keep all letters. Missing proof can slow the case. |
| Private plan help | Use Connect for Health Colorado or a certified assister. | Open enrollment for 2026 is over, but life changes may allow special enrollment. |
| Hospital bill help | Ask the hospital to screen you for discounted care. | You can ask even if you have insurance. |
| No clinic | Use a community health center or call 2-1-1. | Call first to confirm hours, cost, and new-patient openings. |
Health First Colorado: Medicaid coverage
Health First Colorado is Colorado’s Medicaid program. It can cover doctor visits, hospital care, emergency care, prescriptions, behavioral health care, pregnancy care, dental care, and other covered services when you qualify.
The best way to know if you qualify is to apply. Colorado’s income rules use family size, income, age, pregnancy, disability, and other case details. Children and pregnant people often have higher limits than some adults. If one person in the household is denied, read the notice carefully because another family member may still qualify.
You can apply online, by phone, by mail, or in person. If you need in-person help, use the county office list. County offices handle many case details, so response time can vary by county.
Tip for single mothers
Do not wait because you think you make too much. Apply for the whole household. If you are denied, ask whether the children were checked for CHP+ and whether you were sent to Connect for Health Colorado.
If food, child care, or bills are part of the same crisis, keep the Colorado SNAP help, Colorado child care, and Colorado utility help pages open while you wait for notices.
CHP+ for children and pregnant people
Child Health Plan Plus, called CHP+, is low-cost public health insurance for certain children age 18 and under and pregnant people. It is for people who earn too much for Health First Colorado, but not enough to easily pay for private insurance. CHP+ can cover primary care, emergency care, hospital services, prescriptions, immunizations, maternity care, dental care, vision care, and mental or behavioral health care.
The official April 2026 CHP+ chart shows monthly income bands up to 260% of the federal poverty level. These figures are a guide, not a promise of approval. Apply so the state can check your full case.
| Family size | Approximate CHP+ range | What to know |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $1,890 to $3,458 | Applies to eligible children or pregnant people. |
| 2 | $2,562 to $4,689 | Copays may apply in some cases. |
| 3 | $3,234 to $5,920 | Apply even if you are not sure where income fits. |
| 4 | $3,906 to $7,150 | Check current rules when you apply. |
The 2026 CHP+ chart also says copayments may apply, but there are no copays for American Indians, Alaska Natives, or for a pregnant woman and her household.
Pregnancy, postpartum, and newborn help
If you are pregnant, apply as soon as you can and make sure pregnancy is reported in PEAK. Colorado says people who qualified for medical assistance while pregnant have extended postpartum coverage for one year after the pregnancy ends. Keep your PEAK account updated so notices go to the right address.
Cover All Coloradans helps qualifying children age 18 and under, pregnant people, and people who gave birth in the past 12 months get Health First Colorado or CHP+ no matter what their immigration status is. If this may apply to you, ask a clinic, county office, or assister for help before you decide not to apply.
Health First Colorado and CHP+ members who are pregnant or postpartum may also ask about the doula benefit. A doula is not a doctor or midwife. A doula may offer nonmedical support before, during, and after birth. Provider availability can vary by area.
If you need food, breastfeeding support, nutrition help, or referrals during pregnancy or for a young child, Colorado WIC can help. Use the Colorado WIC page to find a clinic or send a referral. The Colorado WIC guide gives more state-specific steps, and the national pregnancy help guide covers broader support.
Marketplace plans when Medicaid or CHP+ does not fit
Connect for Health Colorado is the state’s official marketplace for private plans and financial help. For 2026 coverage, open enrollment ran from November 1, 2025, through January 15, 2026. Outside open enrollment, you may still be able to sign up after a qualifying life change, such as losing coverage, moving, getting married, having a baby, or a change in job insurance.
Use Connect customer service or ask for a certified assister before choosing a plan. A low premium can still lead to high costs if your child has prescriptions, therapy, asthma care, dental needs, or a specialist.
Some Coloradans who do not qualify for Health First Colorado or CHP+ may be able to compare plans through OmniSalud. Rules and financial help can change, so ask an assister to explain current options before you enroll.
Help with hospital bills
Colorado Hospital Discounted Care requires hospitals to screen uninsured patients and insured patients who ask for financial assistance. The state says patients at or below 250% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines may qualify for discounted hospital and emergency-room bills. Hospitals must give patients the chance to apply when they receive services.
Ask for help in writing if you can. Use the words “Hospital Discounted Care,” “financial assistance,” “Medicaid screening,” and “itemized bill.” Do not sign a payment plan you do not understand. If a bill already went to collections, still ask the hospital whether financial assistance can be applied.
Watch out for bill mistakes
Check whether your name, insurance, dates of service, duplicate charges, and provider names are correct. Ask the hospital to pause collections while your application or appeal is being reviewed.
If medical costs are causing a rent or shelter problem, use Colorado housing help and the Colorado emergency guide to plan the next calls.
Clinics, doctors, dental care, and rides
Finding a doctor
If you have Health First Colorado, use Find a Doctor, then call the office before you go. Provider lists can change. Ask if the office still accepts your coverage and is taking new patients.
Free or lower-cost clinics
Federally supported health centers often use sliding fee scales and can help with primary care, prenatal care, behavioral health, dental referrals, and enrollment help. Search the HRSA clinic finder or ask 2-1-1 for clinics near your ZIP code.
Dental care
Health First Colorado includes dental services for enrolled members. The state dental benefits page explains the benefit and dental resources. If teeth, pain, or a child’s dental visit is the main issue, see the Colorado dental guide.
Rides to care
If you are on Health First Colorado and have no ride to covered care, Non-Emergent Medical Transportation may help. The NEMT member page says to schedule your ride at least two business days before the appointment. NEMT is not for emergencies.
If you are not sure where to call, the HCPF NEMT page explains the county-based setup. The Colorado rides guide may help if transportation is a bigger barrier.
Nurse advice
Health First Colorado members can use the Nurse Advice Line for free nurse advice in English and Spanish, 24 hours a day. It can help you decide what kind of care to seek, but it does not replace a doctor or 911.
Documents and information to gather
You may not need every item, but having these ready can make the application smoother. The national documents checklist can help you prepare for more than one program.
| Item | Examples | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Identity | Driver license, state ID, school ID, passport, other ID if available | Helps verify who is applying. |
| Household details | Names, birth dates, Social Security numbers if you have them | Coverage depends on who is in the household. |
| Income | Pay stubs, employer letter, unemployment, child support, self-employment notes | Programs must check current income. |
| Address | Lease, mail, shelter letter, utility bill, county-approved proof | Shows Colorado residence and where notices should go. |
| Current coverage | Insurance card, employer plan letter, Medicaid or CHP+ notice | Helps avoid gaps or duplicate coverage issues. |
| Pregnancy or newborn | Due date, provider name, birth record, hospital paperwork | Can affect eligibility and newborn coverage. |
Common mistakes to avoid
- Waiting because you think income is too high. Children and pregnant people may have higher limits.
- Ignoring mail or PEAK notices. A missing proof request can close or delay a case.
- Not reporting pregnancy, birth, or address changes. These changes can affect coverage.
- Assuming a doctor still takes your plan. Always call the office before the visit.
- Paying a hospital bill too fast. Ask for screening and a written decision first.
- Missing a renewal. Keep your phone, email, and mailing address current in PEAK.
If you are denied, delayed, ignored, or overwhelmed
First, read the notice. Look for the reason, the deadline, and whether the office is asking for more proof. Then check your PEAK account, upload missing items, and call the Member Contact Center or your county office.
If the issue is a medical bill, ask the hospital for a written Hospital Discounted Care decision and appeal steps. If the issue is a benefits denial, ask how to appeal and whether you can keep coverage during the appeal. If you need legal help, Colorado Legal Services may be able to help with some civil legal problems.
The denied benefits guide can help you track notices and deadlines. If legal papers, domestic violence, custody, or safety issues are part of the health problem, use the Colorado legal guide for safer next steps.
Phone scripts
Calling PEAK or county human services
“Hi, I am a single parent in Colorado applying for health coverage for myself and my child. Can you tell me what proof is missing, the deadline to submit it, and whether my child can be reviewed for Medicaid or CHP+ separately from me?”
Calling a clinic
“Hi, I need an appointment and I may qualify for Health First Colorado or CHP+. Do you accept new patients, do you have enrollment help, and do you offer a sliding fee scale if my coverage is not active yet?”
Calling hospital billing
“Hi, I cannot afford this bill. I want to be screened for Hospital Discounted Care, Medicaid, CHP+, and financial assistance. Can you send me the application, pause collections, and give me an itemized bill?”
Calling Connect for Health Colorado
“Hi, I do not qualify for Medicaid or CHP+. I need help checking financial help, doctors, prescriptions, and whether I have a special enrollment reason. Can I speak with a certified assister?”
Resumen en español
Si eres madre soltera en Colorado y necesitas seguro médico, empieza con Colorado PEAK. Una solicitud puede revisar Health First Colorado y CHP+. Si estás embarazada, tienes un hijo sin seguro, o recibiste una factura de hospital, pide ayuda lo antes posible.
Para una emergencia médica llama al 911. Para crisis emocional o de salud mental llama o manda texto al 988. Si no tienes clínica, llama al 2-1-1 o busca un centro de salud comunitario. Si no puedes pagar una factura de hospital, pide “Hospital Discounted Care” y ayuda financiera por escrito.
FAQ: Health care help in Colorado
Can a single mother in Colorado get Medicaid?
Yes, if she meets program rules. Health First Colorado is Colorado Medicaid. Income limits depend on family size and category. Children and pregnant people may have higher limits than some adults.
Can my child qualify if I do not?
Yes. A child may qualify for Health First Colorado or CHP+ even when the parent does not qualify for adult Medicaid. Apply for the whole household so Colorado can check each person.
Can I apply for Medicaid in Colorado any time?
Yes. Health First Colorado and CHP+ do not use the private marketplace open enrollment window. You can apply any time if you need coverage.
What if I have a hospital bill I cannot pay?
Ask the hospital billing office to screen you for Hospital Discounted Care, Medicaid, CHP+, and financial assistance. Ask for the decision in writing and request an itemized bill.
Where can I get care if I do not have insurance?
Community health centers and some local clinics may use sliding fee scales. Use the HRSA clinic finder, Colorado’s community clinic network, or 2-1-1 to find nearby options.
Does Colorado have rides to medical appointments?
Health First Colorado members who have no other ride may be able to use Non-Emergent Medical Transportation for covered care. Schedule early and confirm the county-specific provider.
About this guide
This guide uses official federal, state, local, and other high-trust nonprofit and community sources mentioned in the article.
A Single Mother is independent and is not a government agency, benefits office, lender, law firm, medical provider, or tax advisor.
Program rules, funding, local availability, and eligibility can change. Always confirm details with the official program before you apply or make decisions.
Verification: Last verified June 20, 2026, next review September 20, 2026.
Corrections: If you see something wrong or outdated, email suggestions@asinglemother.org.
Disclaimer: This article is for general information only. It is not legal, financial, medical, tax, immigration, disability, safety, or government-agency advice.