Health Insurance — What If I Don't Have It?

Overview

These resources will help you understand your options for obtaining health insurance and healthcare when you or family members are uninsured, regardless of your income.

If you recently left a job that had health insurance...

You may be eligible to continue your health insurance coverage through your former employer for 18 to 36 months. There are two programs available to help continue coverage through a former employer — COBRA and Colorado State Continuation. Both programs require enrollees to pay the full cost of health insurance, and to be eligible you must sign up within 60 days of losing coverage.

COBRA and Colorado Continuation, Colorado Division of Insurance

This link includes basic information about qualifying for COBRA or Colorado Continuation as well as contact information to learn more.

If you are interested in buying individual health insurance...

If you do not have access to employer-sponsored group insurance, you may want to buy an individual health plan from a private health insurance company. There are many different options for individual health insurance. Compare your options and shop carefully because cost and coverage vary from plan to plan.

Private Insurance, Health Care Coach

This link provides information on how rates are set for individual health insurance, purchasing tips and more.

Health Insurance Information on This Site

Follow this link to visit "Health Insurance," another health topic on this site. It can help you understand the difference between PPOs and HMOs, catastrophic health insurance, pre-existing conditions and more.

If you are without health insurance temporarily...

If you are between jobs or waiting for your new employer's benefits to begin, you may want to consider catastrophic health insurance. This type of health insurance does not pay for preventive care but can help you avoid large medical bills in the event of an accident or serious illness. Follow the links above about individual health insurance for more information on catastrophic coverage.

Or, you may want to ask your regular healthcare provider if he/she will work out a payment plan or offer a reduced fee while you are without insurance.

If you can't obtain health insurance due to a preexisting condition...

You may be eligible for CoverColorado, a special health insurance program for people with preexisting medical conditions.

CoverColorado

CoverColorado is a nonprofit entity created by the Colorado Legislature to provide medical insurance for eligible Colorado residents who, because of a preexisting medical condition, are unable to get coverage from private insurers. In addition, CoverColorado also serves as the state's plan for individuals who are eligible under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act, otherwise known as HIPAA. No subsidies are available, though some discounts may apply.

If you can't afford health insurance and have a low income...

You or your children could be eligible for Medicaid, a state/federal program providing health insurance for children and some adults in families with low incomes.

Getting Medicaid in Larimer County

The Larimer County Department of Human Services helps families enroll in Medicaid. For more information, follow this link or call Larimer County DHS at 498-6300.

Who Is Eligible for Medicaid?

This link to Colorado Department of Health Care Policy and Financing offers answers to frequently asked questions about Medicaid eligibility.

Your children could be eligible for Child Health Plan Plus (CHP+), a state-funded insurance program for children up to age 19 whose parents make too much money to qualify for Medicaid but can't afford private insurance. Parents can apply for CHP+ and other programs at the Larimer County Department of Human Services, 498-6300. Additionally, Salud Family Health Center will help its clinic patients only enroll in CHP+ at 494-4040. Families also can request an application from CHP+ by calling (800) 359-1991 and complete the enrollment process on their own.

Who Is Eligible for CHP+?

This link to Colorado Department of Health Care Policy and Financing provides information about qualifying for CHP+.

You or your children could be eligible for services under the Colorado Indigent Care Program (CICP). CICP is not health insurance; instead it provides payment to certain hospitals and clinics for care provided to people without health insurance. These services include, and are not limited to, emergency care, inpatient care, outpatient care and prescription drugs. Eligibility for the program is determined at the time a person is seeking care. Ask about eligibility for CICP if you are seeking care at the following local hospitals and clinics: Salud Family Health Center (494-4040), Family Medicine Center (495-8800) and Poudre Valley Health System (495-7000).

General Information About CICP

This link to Colorado Department of Health Care Policy and Financing provides general information about CICP-covered services and eligibility.

If you don't qualify for public programs and think you can't afford to go to the doctor...

You or your children may be eligible for healthcare services based on your ability to pay.

Salud Family Health Center

Salud Family Health Center operates a family medical clinic in north Fort Collins. The site is a federally qualified health center (FQHC), and all patients are eligible for an "ability to pay" discount based on family size and income, which is determined when the patient registers at a Salud clinic. To learn more, follow this link or call 494-4040. Salud is also a site for enrollment in both Medicaid and CHP+.

Family Medicine Center

The Family Medicine Center, a clinic of Poudre Valley Health System, offers general medical care — including obstetrics, pediatrics and geriatrics — for families and people of all ages. The clinic accepts most private and government insurance programs and also provides care for those without insurance. For more information about the clinic, follow this link or call 495-8800.

Health District of Northern Larimer County

The Health District offers many health services for people with low incomes, including prescription assistance, dental care, blood pressure and cholesterol screenings, connections to mental health counseling and substance abuse treatment, nutrition and weight management services and smoking cessation counseling. These services are available on a sliding fee scale to those living in the northern two-thirds of Larimer County with qualifying incomes. For more information, follow this link or call 224-5209.

Larimer County Department of Health and Environment

Larimer County offers many health services available at low cost for qualifying adults and children. Services include maternity and family planning services, immunizations, general nursing services and health screening. For more information, follow this link or call 498-6700.

Planned Parenthood

Planned Parenthood of the Rocky Mountains provides healthcare for women and men of all ages and income levels. Services include reproductive health exams, birth control services and more. Call 493-0281 or follow this link for more information.

If you are looking for mental-health care or substance-abuse treatment...

You can be connected to care at Connections, a program of the Larimer Center for Mental Health and the Health District of Northern Larimer County. Staff at Connections provide information referral and assistance for mental-health and substance-abuse problems. Services are free, except counseling which is affordable (fees are based on your ability to pay).

Connections

For more information on Connections, follow this link, make a confidential phone call to 221-5551, or walk in the Connections office at 525 W. Oak St. (inside the Larimer Center for Mental Health).

Other Resources

Breast and Cervical Cancer Screenings, Women's Wellness Connection

The Women's Wellness Connection is a program of the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment and is part of the National Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program. The program provides breast and cervical cancer screenings (clinical breast exams, mammograms, Pap tests) to eligible women at sites throughout Colorado, including at Salud Family Health Center, Planned Parenthood and Sunrise-Loveland Community Health Center. Screenings are free to women 40-64 years of age with limited income and limited insurance and who have not had these exams in the past year. For eligibility information, call the Women's Wellness Connection at (866) 951-9355.

United Way 2-1-1

United Way 2-1-1 offers online and telephone referrals for health and human services in Larimer County and northwestern Colorado. 2-1-1 is for non-emergency assistance only. Follow this link, or call 2-1-1 or 407-7066 to talk to an information and referral specialist about your needs, including services for seniors; food, housing and utility assistance; clothing needs; support groups; and more. This is a free service.

Health Care for All Colorado

Health Care for All Colorado (HCAC) is a volunteer-based, nonprofit organization, working for universal healthcare for all people in Colorado utilizing single-payer financing.

Search This Site for Other Health and Community Programs

This site includes listings for many charity and nonprofit organizations. You can search by type of care and even narrow your search to see who offers a sliding fee scale.

Note to Users

This topic was prepared to help consumers find reliable health resources on the web. The information here (and on all websites) is not a substitute for medical care by a health professional. Please discuss what you find with your healthcare provider.