Medicaid Adult Buy-In Eligibility

If you get a job and are either making too much money or have saved up too much money to get Health First Colorado (Medicaid), you might qualify for the Health First Colorado Buy-In Program For Working Adults With Disabilities (Medicaid Adult Buy-In).

The Medicaid Adult Buy-In offers the same coverage as regular Health First Colorado (Medicaid), but you may have to pay a monthly premium to keep your coverage. Sometimes, the Medicaid Adult Buy-In is called WAwD for short. Note: The Medicaid Adult Buy-In is different than the Children's Buy-In. For the Medicaid Adult Buy-In, you have to be 16 or older, working, and earning money.

To qualify for the Medicaid Adult Buy-In, you must:

• Be 16 years old or older
• Live in Colorado
• Be a U.S. citizen or a qualified immigrant
• Be working
• Have a disability that meets Social Security’s medical standards.
  • Note: For the Medicaid Adult Buy-In, SSA’s disability rules related to income do not apply.
  • Note: If you aren't sure if your disability qualifies, you can apply and the state will check.
• Have countable income at or below $5,648 per month for individuals.
  • The Medicaid Adult Buy-In counts your money the same way as SSI does: almost all of your unearned income is counted, but less than half of your earned income is counted. That means, you could earn as much as $11,380 per month ($136,560 per year!) and still qualify.
    
  • Only your income is counted, not the income of other household members.

If you have Medicaid Adult Buy-In coverage, you may have to pay a $0 to $200 premium each month (the higher your income, the higher your premium).

How to Apply for the Medicaid Adult Buy-In

You can apply for the Medicaid Adult Buy-In and other Colorado programs:

• Online on the Colorado PEAK website
• With a paper application (available in English, Spanish, or large print). Fill it out and return it by mail, fax, or in person at your county human services department, or
• By phone at 1-800-221-3943.

Colorado PEAK lists the details you may need to fill out an application.

Learn more about the Medicaid Adult Buy-In in DB101’s How Health Benefits Work article.