Colorado Medicaid and SCHIP Waivers

Health Insurance Flexibility and Accountability (HIFA) Waiver – In 2002, Colorado received approval from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) for a HIFA demonstration to provide adult prenatal coverage under the State Children’s Health Insurance Program (SCHIP), CHP+. The waiver, amended in 2005 to increase eligibility, provides coverage to uninsured pregnant women with incomes between 134 percent and 200 percent of the federal poverty level (FPL) who are not otherwise eligible for Medicaid and SCHIP. Additionally, this waiver provides a premium assistance option for children with family incomes at or below 200 percent of the FPL with access to employer-sponsored insurance. Beneficiaries may opt out of the premium assistance program at any time and resume coverage through SCHIP.