Financial Assistance Programs, Charity Care (Hospital Discounted Care) and Payment Plans

Many of our patient families who do not have health insurance are surprised to learn that their child may qualify for assistance. Children's Hospital Colorado works with eligible patients and families to apply for government aid for hospital services. That means we provide temporary, 45-day Medicaid coverage to pregnant women and children under age 19, while we process your medical assistance application. If patients and their families are not eligible for government aid, the financial counseling team may be able to offer a payment plan.

The Financial Assistance Program is available to all patients who do not have health insurance and live in the United States. We expect families to use all available resources before financial aid will be considered.

Qualifications for many assistance programs require applicants to meet federal poverty income guidelines based on the Federal Poverty Level. Eligibility for financial aid depends upon family size, income and the age of the applicant.

If you need help paying the hospital bill, you can see if you qualify for discounted care. You may qualify based on your income and if you are a Colorado resident. If you qualify, the hospital will limit your bill, and you will be offered an income-based payment plan. If you don’t currently have insurance, our financial counselors will automatically contact you to be screened.

To read more about this and for information about how to contact the CHCO Financial Counseling department, please reference the document below.

Your rights as a patient under Hospital Discounted Care:

• English
• Spanish

Please call us at 720-777-7001 to speak with a financial counselor. We will help you apply for financial aid programs that are available.

About our Financial Assistance Program

Children's Colorado's Financial Assistance Program is in accordance with Colorado Revised Statute § 25-3-112 and 26 CFR 1.501(r)-0 through 26 CFR 1.501(r)-7. Qualifications for many assistance programs require applicants to meet federal poverty income guidelines based on their Federal Poverty Level. Eligibility for financial assistance depends upon family size, income and the age of the applicant. Please see the Federal Poverty Income Guidelines Chart below for eligibility and links to our financial assistance policy and application.

Children’s Hospital Charity Program/Hospital Discounted Care

Our Charity Care Program (Hospital Discounted Care) provides financial aid to patients and families in need. The decision to provide Charity Care (Hospital Discounted Care) will, in most cases, be based on a review of the family's income, assets and liabilities, and will typically result in a sliding-scale co-payment due from the family.

Copies of our Financial Assistance Policy and Application are available below, by calling the Financial Counseling Department at 720-777-7001, or in our Financial Counseling offices at 13123 East 16th Avenue, Aurora, CO 80045 or at 4125 Briargate Parkway, Colorado Springs, CO 80920. Copies are available for free in multiple languages, including English and Spanish.

What are the general requirements* of Charity Care (Hospital Discounted Care)?

• Household size, income and resources below 250% of the Federal Poverty Level
• Submission of required information within 365 days from the date that the first post-discharge billing statement for the care is provided

Federal Poverty Level income guidelines chart: example of maximum income guidelines. Information provided here and updated April 1^st each year.

* Exceptions may apply.

Amounts generally billed (AGB)

Children's Colorado limits the amount charged for care we provide to any individual who is eligible for financial assistance. We use the look-back method as defined in federal regulation §501(r) to determine the AGB.

• Financial Assistance Policy - English (.pdf)
• Financial Assistance Policy - Español (.pdf)

• Financial Assistance Payment Plan - English (.pdf)
• Financial Assistance Payment Plan - Español (.pdf)

• Financial Assistance Application - English (.pdf)

If you need assistance or have questions about how to complete an application, please contact a financial counselor at 720-777-7001. They are available Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:15 p.m.

Family Medicaid

Family Medicaid is a public health insurance program for Colorado children 0-18 years of age and for parents with dependent children. The program is funded jointly by a federal-state partnership and is administered by the Department of Health Care Policy and Financing.

Who is eligible for Family Medicaid?

• Children ages 0-18 with household income under 260% Federal Poverty Level (FPL) – see the Income Guidelines below for details
• Pregnant women, over the age of 19, whose household income is under 260% FPL
• Parents and caretaker relatives (you must have a dependent child) whose household income does not exceed 133% FPL
• Adults without dependent children whose household income does not exceed 133% FPL

Child Health Plan Plus (CHP+)

Child Health Plan Plus (CHP+) is a public low-cost health insurance for certain children and pregnant women. It is for people who earn too much to qualify for Medicaid, but not enough to pay for private health insurance.

Who is eligible for CHP+?

• Children ages 18 and under, and pregnant women ages 19 and over
• Applicants with household income under 260% of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL) – see the CHP+ Income Guidelines below for details
• Colorado residents
• Permanent legal residents who have had an Alien Registration number for at least 5 years, a refugee or asylee
• Applicants not eligible for Medicaid
• Applicants who do not have other health insurance

Colorado Indigent Care Program (CICP)

Colorado Indigent Care Program (CICP) provides discounted health services to low-income people and families. CICP is not a health insurance program. Discounted health care services are provided by Colorado hospitals and clinics that participate in the CICP.

Who is eligible for CICP?

• People legally residing in Colorado
• People who meet income and resource guidelines
• People who are not eligible for Medicaid or Child Health Plan Plus (CHP+)
• People who have Medicare
• People who have health insurance

Examples of CICP approximate income guidelines

Payment plan options

Children's Colorado charges are consistently applied to all patients regardless of their ability to pay or method of payment. We provide flexible payment plan options for our patients and families. While many payment plans do not exceed six months, exceptions can be made on a case-by-case basis. To set-up a payment plan, please call us at 720-777-6422.