State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP)
Free, unbiased Medicare counseling in Colorado. Trained counselors go through your costs and choices with you, and they don't sell plans.
Medicare and health costs
Medicare Savings Programs in Colorado
Health First Colorado, the state's Medicaid program, runs the Medicare Savings Programs. They pay your Medicare Part B premium, and with QMB also your Part A premium, deductibles and coinsurance.
You may apply online through PEAK, by phone, or at your county human services office.
How to apply in Colorado
- By phone
- 1-800-221-3943
- In person
- At your county's department of human services office, or at a local application assistance site.
- By mail
- Download and print a paper application from the Health First Colorado forms page and mail it to your county.
Applying is free. Nobody should charge you to apply.
Apply on the official siteWho may qualify in Colorado
| 2026 figures | One person | Married couple |
|---|---|---|
| QMB income limit | $1,350 a month | $1,824 a month |
| SLMB income limit | $1,616 a month | $2,184 a month |
| QI-1 income limit | $1,816 a month | $2,455 a month |
| Savings limit | $11,450 (includes $1,500 set aside for burial) | $17,910 (includes $3,000 set aside for burial) |
Source: Colorado Department of Health Care Policy & Financing (source 1)
What you may get
| What QMB pays | Your Part A premium (if you pay one), Part B premium, deductibles and coinsurance |
|---|---|
| What SLMB pays | Your Part B premium only |
| What QI-1 pays | Your Part B premium only |
Source: Colorado Department of Health Care Policy & Financing (source 1)
Good to know
- Colorado's savings limits include up to $1,500 per person set aside for burial. Without that, they match the federal limits of $9,950 for one person and $14,910 for a couple.
- If you have income from work, you may qualify even if your income is above these limits.
Source: Colorado Department of Health Care Policy & Financing (source 2)
Free help
Free help with this in Colorado
Colorado State Unit on Aging
Your local Area Agency on Aging can help with meals, rides, help at home, caregiver support and applying for benefits.
More help in Colorado
Medicare Savings Programs in another state
- Alabama
- Alaska
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- California
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- District of Columbia
- Florida
- Georgia
- Hawaii
- Idaho
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Maine
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- Mississippi
- Missouri
- Montana
- Nebraska
- Nevada
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey
- New Mexico
- New York
- North Carolina
- North Dakota
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- Oregon
- Pennsylvania
- Rhode Island
- South Carolina
- South Dakota
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Utah
- Vermont
- Virginia
- Washington
- West Virginia
- Wisconsin
- Wyoming
Sources
- Colorado Department of Health Care Policy & Financing, Medicare Savings Programs (MSP) (official government site). Checked Oct 28, 2026.
- Colorado Department of Health Care Policy & Financing, HCPF OM 25-078: 2026 Increase to Resource Limits – Medicare Savings Programs and Low-Income Subsidy (official government site). Checked Oct 28, 2026.
- Health First Colorado (Colorado Department of Health Care Policy & Financing), Apply Now (official government site). Checked Oct 28, 2026.
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