Free Reference
Enrollment dates and how to apply
A plain-language guide to health insurance in Colorado. It covers open enrollment dates, Medicare, Medicaid, how plans differ, financial help, and what to do when you leave a job. Questions after reading? Call or text me at 720-810-4715.
Key dates at a glance
Marketplace open enrollment
November 1 to January 15
Medicare Annual Enrollment
October 15 to December 7
Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment
January 1 to March 31
Medicaid application
Any day of the year
Open enrollment in Colorado
Open enrollment is the time each year when anyone can buy an ACA marketplace plan through Connect for Health Colorado, with or without financial help. You do not need a qualifying life event during this window.
November 1 through January 15, every year
Enroll by December 15 for coverage that starts January 1. Enroll between December 16 and January 15 for coverage that starts February 1.
Missed the window? You may still qualify for a Special Enrollment Period. Common triggers include losing job-based coverage, moving, getting married, having a baby, or turning 26 and aging off a parent's plan. Those windows usually last 60 days around the event.
I help people compare and enroll in marketplace plans at no cost to you.
Medicare enrollment windows
Medicare has its own calendar. Which window applies depends on your age and the kind of change you want to make.
Initial Enrollment Period
First chance to sign up, around your 65th birthday. It lasts 7 months: 3 months before your birthday month, the birthday month itself, and 3 months after. Signing up during the first 3 months usually means your coverage starts the month you turn 65.
Annual Enrollment Period: October 15 to December 7
Every year, you can join, switch, or drop a Medicare Advantage plan or a Part D drug plan. Changes take effect January 1.
Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment: January 1 to March 31
If you already have a Medicare Advantage plan, you can switch to a different one or go back to Original Medicare with a drug plan. One change per year.
General Enrollment Period: January 1 to March 31
If you missed your Initial Enrollment Period and do not qualify for a Special Enrollment Period, this is when you can sign up for Part A and Part B. Coverage starts July 1, and a late penalty may apply.
Not sure which window you are in? That is a normal question. Call or text me and I will walk you through it at no cost to you.
How plans differ, in plain terms
Most plans trade a lower monthly cost for higher costs when you get care, or the other way around. A few words explain most of the difference.
Premium, deductible, copay
The premium is what you pay each month. The deductible is what you pay out of pocket before the plan starts paying its share. A copay is a fixed amount for a visit or a drug. Plans with low premiums usually have higher deductibles.
HMO and PPO networks
An HMO usually covers care from doctors inside its network and often wants a referral from your primary doctor to see a specialist. A PPO gives you more freedom to see out-of-network doctors, usually at a higher cost. The important check is always the same: make sure your doctors and hospitals are in the plan's network.
Marketplace metal levels
Marketplace plans come in Bronze, Silver, Gold, and Platinum levels. The metal level is about how costs are split, not about quality of care. Bronze has the lowest premium and the highest costs when you get care. Platinum is the reverse. Silver is the most common choice and the only level that unlocks extra savings for people with lower incomes.
Medicare options
Original Medicare covers hospital care (Part A) and medical care (Part B), and usually pairs with a Part D drug plan and a separate supplement. A Medicare Advantage plan (Part C) bundles hospital, medical, and often drug coverage into one plan from a private insurer. Neither is universally better. It depends on your doctors, your drugs, and how you like to budget.
If two plans look the same on paper, the differences are usually in the drug list and the network. That is where a second set of eyes helps. I compare these details with people every day, at no cost to you.
Financial help with costs
Many people buying a marketplace plan qualify for help paying for it. The help comes in a few forms, and more people qualify than expect.
Premium tax credits
This lowers your monthly bill on a marketplace plan. The amount depends on your household income and the size of your household, and the credit is applied right on the spot. You do not have to wait for tax season to benefit. You report income when you apply, and the credit adjusts when your income changes.
Cost-sharing reductions
If your income is lower, you may also get a plan with a smaller deductible and lower copays. This only works with a Silver-level plan, which is one reason Silver plans are so common.
Health First Colorado and CHP+
If your income is low enough, you or your children may qualify for free or very low cost coverage through Medicaid or CHP+. The application is free and open all year, and the steps are below.
The application asks for an estimate of your income for the year, not last year's tax return. A rough, honest estimate is fine, and you update it if things change. I can walk through the numbers with you at no cost to you.
Leaving a job: COBRA and your options
When you leave a job that provided your health insurance, the first thing to know is that you have choices. You do not have to decide on the spot.
What COBRA is
COBRA lets you keep your exact work plan for a limited time, usually 18 months, after your job ends. The catch is cost. You pay the full premium, including the part your employer used to cover, plus often a small fee. For many people that is a surprise.
COBRA versus a marketplace plan
A marketplace plan is often cheaper because you may qualify for premium tax credits. Losing job-based coverage is also a Special Enrollment Period, so you can shop the marketplace right away. COBRA keeps your current doctors without any network questions. The right answer depends on the prices you are quoted, and comparing both takes about an hour.
Deadlines to know
You usually have at least 60 days after losing coverage to elect COBRA, and 60 days to pick a marketplace plan through your Special Enrollment Period. If you start COBRA and find something better later, you can drop it, and dropping COBRA opens a new marketplace window. Do not let one coverage gap stretch into months, though. Gaps can make some later sign-ups harder.
If you just lost job-based coverage, bring your COBRA letter to a free review and I will lay out both options side by side, at no cost to you.
Medicaid application steps
Health First Colorado is Colorado's Medicaid program. Unlike the marketplace, there is no enrollment season. You can apply any day of the year. Eligibility is based mostly on household income and size.
- 1
Check if you might qualify
Coverage is based on income and household size. Many working adults, children, pregnant people, and seniors with limited income qualify. If your income is a little too high, your children may still qualify for CHP+.
- 2
Gather a few basics
You will need a photo ID, Social Security numbers for the people applying, and income information such as recent pay stubs.
- 3
Apply
The fastest way is online at CO.gov/PEAK. You can also apply by phone at 800-221-3943, in person at your county human services office, or with help from a certified application assistor.
- 4
Wait for the decision
Most decisions take up to 45 days. If a disability determination is needed, it can take longer.
- 5
If you do not qualify
You will be pointed to the marketplace, where you may qualify for financial help on a private plan. This is where I can help, at no cost to you.
I do not sell Medicaid plans. If you might qualify, my job is to explain how it works and point you to the right place to apply.
Want help using these dates?
Book a free review. I will figure out which window applies to you and what to do next.