Health Care 101
Promote health for clients and reduce risk
Health: Justice Involved Snapshot
- Justice involved individuals have substantially higher rates of medical, psychiatric and addiction problems as compared to the general public.
- It is estimated that the majority of justice involved people (approximately 70%) qualify for Health First Colorado (Colorado’s Medicaid Program).
- Research shows that connecting individuals to healthcare and treatment services within the first two weeks post-release are critical as it is a vulnerable time for justice involved individuals. Homelessness, high stress, and an increased risk of overdose are prevalent during this time frame. Access to health and behavioral health care services can help.
- Eligibility depends on status in the criminal justice system. Learn more about eligibility.
Affordable Care Act (ACA) Overview
- The Affordable Care Act (ACA) expanded coverage to nearly everyone
- A person can’t be refused coverage for a pre-existing health condition
- It’s possible for a person to remain on a parent’s plan until age 26
- Health First Colorado is available to age 26 for former foster care youth who were in Colorado foster care at ages 18-21 and enrolled in Health First Colorado
- Women can’t be charged higher health insurance premiums than men
- Free preventative coverage is provided
- Mental health and substance use parity or mental health and substance use benefits coverage that is comparable to general medical coverage
- Under the ACA, both Health First Colorado and private health plans offered through the Marketplace must provide 10 essential health benefits
10 Essential Health Benefits
- Ambulatory patient services
- Emergency Services
- Hospitalization
- Maternity/newborn care
- Mental health/substance abuse
- Prescription drugs
- Rehabilitative and habilitative services and devices
- Laboratory services
- Preventive and wellness care/chronic disease management
- Pediatric services, including oral and vision care
Health First Colorado and Connect for Health Colorado (Marketplace) Overview
Colorado’s health insurance marketplace, Connect For Health Colorado, offers shopping for health insurance plans and also allows people to find out if they qualify for Colorado’s Health First Colorado or the Child Health Plan Plus (CHP+) programs, or if they qualify for subsidies to help cover the cost of insurance.
Health First Colorado (Colorado’s Medicaid Program)
- Public health insurance program for low-income individuals
- Administered by the Colorado Department of Health Care Policy & Financing (HCPF)
- Can enroll anytime
- Estimated 2/3 of justice involved population will be eligible for Health First Colorado
Connect for Health Colorado (Marketplace)
- Marketplace to purchase private health insurance & apply for tax subsidy to help cover the cost of purchasing health insurance
- Can choose from a variety of health plans
- Open enrollment period (The open enrollment period for Connect for Health Colorado usually begins November 1st of each year and is open for a few months, but Coloradans with a qualifying life event & certain scenarios may be be able to apply or change their coverage.)
Learn More
Review our Glossary of Terms
We’ve provided a list of health and criminal justice-related terms to help individuals learn more about both systems.
Read our FAQs
We’ve compiled health and criminal justice-related questions and answers to help individuals better serve justice involved people.
Resources for Agencies
Information for criminal justice and health agencies to assist their clients with better access to care.
Get connected to other professionals using The Take Care - Health Matters Professional Guide
The Take Care – Health Matters Professional Guide provides county level health-related and criminal justice-related information to help individuals in these fields build relationships and assist clients with better access to care. The purpose of this guide is to connect Colorado criminal justice agencies, health care professionals and community organizations so that they may assist justice involved individuals who qualify for Health First Colorado (Colorado’s Medicaid Program).
View our training presentation - Health Care Reform & Justice Involved Populations
Our training for criminal justice and health care professionals includes extensive information related to:
– Health First Colorado & Connect for Health Colorado Marketplace
– Eligibility of Justice Involved Individuals
– Health First Colorado Structure: Accessing Physical & Behavioral Health Care Services
