Medicaid and CHP+ Five-year Bar to be Removed for Children and Pregnant Women on July 1

“Starting July 1, 2015, a big policy change is coming to Medicaid and Child Health Plan Plus (CHP+): the five-year bar is being lifted for children and pregnant women. As a result, Legal Permanent Resident children will no longer have to wait five years to apply for Medicaid and CHP+, and Legal Permanent Resident pregnant women will no longer have to wait five years to apply for CHP+.

Top Five Things You Need to Know about the Removal of the Five Year Bar:

1. The change is effective July 1, 2015.
2. The five-year bar is being lifted only for lawfully present children (under age 19), and for pregnant women. Lawfully present adults will still need to wait five years.
3. People who have applied before and been denied will need to re-apply.
4. If a client has an active case in the Colorado Benefits Management System (e.g. the child has food stamps), they can go through PEAK Report My Changes to add Medicaid or CHP+ to the case. 
5. If a family has health insurance through Connect for Health Colorado and they would like to enroll a child or pregnant woman into Medicaid or CHP+, they should call the Connect for Health Colorado customer service center: 1-855-PLANS-4-YOU (1-855-752-6749).

For more information: check out the HCPF FAQ for Stakeholders and CKF Fact Sheet for Clients.” [Source: Covering Kids and Families]