UPDATED FOR 2026 • CONNECT FOR HEALTH COLORADO GUIDE
Get Help Navigating the Health Insurance Marketplace in Colorado
Private health insurance is complex. Our friendly assisters walk you through your health insurance options, saving you valuable time and money.
✓ Expert Assisters ✓ Serving All of Colorado
ABOUT THE PROGRAM
What is Connect for Health Colorado and How Does it Work?
Connect for Health Colorado is Colorado's official health insurance marketplace where individuals can browse and purchase private plans. This program was established as a result of the 2010 Affordable Care Act (ACA). Benefits in Action does not complete Connect for Health purchases or make plan recommendations. Insurance brokers can help with the application process, applying for financial help, and choosing a plan. We only provide counseling services.
Enrollment
Individuals can explore options for buying insurance during Open Enrollment, which is from November 1 - January 15. If you miss that period, you can buy insurance through a Special Enrollment Period if you have a qualifying event (ex. family additions or changes, loss of health insurance coverage, move or change in address, changes to income).
Special Enrollment Groups
Beyond traditional plans, young adults can enroll into catastrophic plans (under age 30) and can be on a parent's health insurance plan (up to age 26). Native Americans that are part of Federally recognized tribes can enroll in health insurance year-round and may qualify for healthcare discounts and financial help.
Tax Time Enrollment
You can see if you qualify for free or low-cost health insurance by checking a box when filing your state taxes before the filing deadline. Doing this will help you enroll during a Special Enrollment Period.
Connect for Health Colorado Coverage Levels
Health insurance plans through Connect for Health Colorado are organized into three different levels based on how costs will be shared between the insurer and insured.
Bronze
Low Monthly Premiums & High Out-of-Pocket Costs/Deductibles
Consider this if you or your family are healthy and rarely go to the doctor.
Silver
High Monthly Premiums & Healthcare Discounts
For individuals that qualify for healthcare discounts called Cost-Sharing Reductions.
Gold
High Monthly Premiums & Low Out-of-Pocket Costs/Deductibles
Consider this if you or your family have medical conditions and need frequent care.
All Connect for Health plans cover the following essential benefits:
-
Emergency services
-
Hospitalization (surgeries and overnight stays)
-
Laboratory services
-
Mental health and substance use disorder services
-
Outpatient care you get without being admitted to a hospital
-
Services for children
-
Pregnancy, maternity, and newborn care (both before and after birth)
-
Prescription drugs
-
Rehabilitative and habilitative services and devices
Want to browse specific plans? Use Connect for Health Colorado's Estimate & Explore tool.
Find more information about available dental and vision plans by visiting this page.
ABOUT THE PROGRAM
What is Connect for Health's OmniSalud?
OmniSalud is a program that provides undocumented Coloradans with a safe way to compare affordable health insurance plans and enroll through Colorado Connect, a secure online platform that never shares information with federal partners. The program provides Colorado Option plans which have a specific set of lower, fixed costs available to everyone regardless of immigration status.
-
When applying for OmniSalud, you'll start at the Connect for Health Colorado website which will then direct you to Colorado Connect to create an account and submit an application. Colorado Connect does not ask for immigration status.
-
Individuals with Colorado Option plans pay $0 for healthcare from doctors who are in-network for the following services:
-
Doctor visits when you are sick or have an injury
-
Therapist, counselor, or doctor visits for mental/behavioral health or substance abuse
-
Doctor visits for maternity care - before and after birth
-
Diabetes supplies including continuous glucose monitors
-
Doctor visits for yearly check-ups, health screenings, and immunizations to help you stay healthy
-
WHAT'S NEW WITH CONNECT FOR HEALTH COLORADO
Important Connect for Health
Colorado Changes
Significant changes will go into effect soon. Here's what you need to know:
Auto Annual Renewals & Marketplace Companies
Beginning in October 2026, renewal-eligible customers will be automatically re-enrolled before the beginning of Open Enrollment on November 1.
-
Customers will still have the option to review and change their plans during the Open Enrollment period.
-
Those who make changes before December 15 will have coverage starting January 1.
-
Those who make changes between December 16 - January 15 will have coverage starting February 1.
-
In 2027, Cigna will not be in the Connect for Health marketplace.
Citizenship Eligibility Changes
On January 1, 2027, eligibility for financial help for marketplace insurance coverage will be reduced for many lawfully present immigrants. This means that many non-citizen refugees, asylees, and other non-citizens will no longer receive financial help, which begins during Open Enrollment in Plan Year 2027.
-
No longer eligible:
-
Refugees
-
Asylees
-
Individuals granted humanitarian parole
-
-
Still eligible: U.S. citizens and nationals, green card holders, citizens of the Compact of Free Association nations, and certain Cuban and Haitian entrants
Not sure if these changes affect your benefits? Call our office and we'll set up an appointment to review your specific situation with one of our assisters.
Find more information about Connect for Health and eligibility at connectforhealthco.com.
READY FOR COUNSELING?
How to Navigate Your
Connect for Health Benefits
Our assisters handle the hard part for you. Choose the way that works best for you.
FREE • EXPERT HELP
Consult With a Benefits in Action Enrollment Assister
Our trained assisters walk you through available options and are certified by Connect for Health Colorado. We offer a variety of services, including:
-
Comparing Plans: Assistance with application support while comparing plans.
-
Health Insurance Literacy: Education on how to understand health insurance.
-
Mixed Households: We can help households navigate having members with different eligibility statuses (ex. when one member qualifies for financial assistance through Connect for Health but another is eligible for Medicaid).
BE PREPARED
Documents You'll Need for Counseling
Having these on hand will improve our assisters' ability to help you. You will also want these when enrolling.
Proof of Identity
Driver's license, state ID, or other government-issued photo ID alongside date of births for all household members
Proof of Income
Employment/employer information that includes 2 recent pay stubs, benefit award letters, or other income documents
Social Security & Immigration Numbers
SSNs are necessary when applying for coverage, and if applicable, immigration documentation.
Tax Filing Status
Information about your filing status and who you claim as a dependent
Not sure what to gather? Our office will walk you through it – call us and we'll tell you exactly what you need.
WHAT TO EXPECT
The Connect for Health Counseling Process
Changing your plan or getting more information about your options can feel daunting or overwhelming, but we are here to help reduce potential stress. Work with a Connect for Health Colorado assister to ensure you are well-informed about your options before making a decision.
Appointment With an Assister
Schedule an appointment with our office to meet with a Connect for Health assister. The 1-hour appointment is over Zoom, and the assister will email you the invite link within 24 hours of the appointment time.
Follow Up Appointment
Depending on the results of the counseling appointment, a follow up appointment may be scheduled in order to ensure that you feel well-informed and prepared.
Review Your Options
Use the information from the counseling appointment(s) to determine your next steps. If you were comparing plans during the call, copies of those plans can be sent to you so that you can call the individual plan numbers.
Don't Leave Benefits on the Table
Thousands of Coloradans who may benefit from other options never ask because the process feels too complicated. That's exactly why we're here. Our assisters are friendly and ready to help.
COMMON QUESTIONS
Frequently Asked Questions About Connect for Health Colorado
WE CAN HELP WITH MORE
Other Benefits We Help With
Connect for Health Colorado is just one of many programs we can help you navigate. Our navigators assist with a wide range of Colorado assistance programs.