01/21/2026
REMINDER THAT WE CANNOT CHARGE ANY COSTS TO MEDICAID COVERED PATIENTS IN COLORADO:
Under Colorado law (C.R.S. § 25.5-4-301) and federal Medicaid regulations, Health First Colorado members may not be billed for covered services, except for applicable Health First Colorado co-pays. Providers must accept Medicaid reimbursement as payment in full.
Balanced billing is not permitted for covered services under any circumstances. This includes situations where Health First Colorado does not reimburse the provider, a claim is denied due to provider error, the provider is not enrolled with Health First Colorado, or the member has signed an advance notice or agreement acknowledging potential non-coverage. A signed advance notice does not override this prohibition.
Providers may only bill a Health First Colorado member for services or medications that are not covered by Health First Colorado. Before charging a member, the provider must have a written and documented agreement in place confirming the member’s agreement to pay out of pocket for the specific non-covered service.
Members cannot lose Health First Colorado coverage if they choose to pay out of pocket for uncovered or covered services.
For additional guidance, visit the Policy Statement: Billing Health First Colorado Members for Services webpage:
div.easy_social_box { display: none !important, } PurposeTo outline the Department's policy on billing Health First Colorado (Colorado's Medicaid program) members for covered and non-covered services.
