Medicare in Colorado
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, about 15 percent of Coloradans are 65 or older. There are just under 1 million Medicare beneficiaries throughout the state, and they have options on how to get their health care in retirement. Coloradans can also opt for one of the 100 local Medicare Advantage plans.

- Written by Christian Simmons
Christian Simmons
Financial Writer
Christian Simmons is a writer for RetireGuide and a member of the Association for Financial Counseling & Planning Education (AFCPE®). He covers Medicare and important retirement topics. Christian is a former winner of a Florida Society of News Editors journalism contest and has written professionally since 2016.
Read More- Edited By
Lee WilliamsLee Williams
Senior Financial Editor
Lee Williams is a professional writer, editor and content strategist with 10 years of professional experience working for global and nationally recognized brands. He has contributed to Forbes, The Huffington Post, SUCCESS Magazine, AskMen.com, Electric Literature and The Wall Street Journal. His career also includes ghostwriting for Fortune 500 CEOs and published authors.
Read More- Published: September 21, 2021
- Updated: January 17, 2023
- 4 min read time
- This page features 4 Cited Research Articles
- Edited By
Medicare Eligibility in Colorado
Original Medicare is a federal program and does not vary by state, so Coloradans are subject to the same eligibility requirements as most Americans.
To enroll in Medicare, you typically must be 65 and have paid Medicare taxes while working. You may be eligible to get Medicare before you turn 65 if you have certain rare conditions, like end-stage renal disease or amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.
Even if you didn’t work, you can still be eligible for Original Medicare. But it will likely be more expensive since you will not be able to get premium-free Part A.
If you meet Medicare eligibility requirements, then you should also be able to get a Medicare Advantage plan if you choose to go that route. Medicare Advantage plans cover everything included in Original Medicare as well as additional benefits and are available through private insurers. These plans are regional and vary from location to location.
In 2023, there are 100 Medicare Advantage plans available throughout Colorado.
You’ll also have a six-month enrollment period to buy Medigap, which is a form of supplemental insurance. You can’t pair it with Medicare Advantage, but it can be used with Original Medicare to help cover expenses like deductibles and coinsurance.
Medicare Plans in Colorado
Original Medicare is available throughout Colorado and consists of Parts A and B. Part A covers inpatient care while Part B handles outpatient services.
Part A is premium-free if you worked and paid Medicare taxes, but Part B comes with a monthly premium regardless of your work history. That premium in 2023 is typically $164.90, but it can differ depending on your level of income.
According to the U.S. Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, about 99% of Coloradans with access to Medicare also have access to a Medicare Advantage plan. There are 100 plans available in Colorado in 2023, compared to 94 plans in 2022.
Since these plans are purchased through insurance companies, their prices can vary. The average monthly premium for a plan in Colorado in 2023 is $13.71.
Coloradans also have access to Part D prescription drug plans. These plans are often included in Medicare Advantage plans, but a stand-alone version can also be purchased.
In 2023, there are 23 standalone plans in Colorado and all Medicare beneficiaries have access to them. The monthly premium for these plans can be as low as $3.50.
Medigap plans to help pay some of the costs associated with Original Medicare are also available.
How To Apply for Medicare in Colorado
There is an enrollment window around your 65th birthday for you to get Original Medicare. The window opens three months before your birthday and closes three months after.
You can get Medicare by calling 1-800-772-1213 or by enrolling online. You should automatically get Medicare if you are already receiving Social Security benefits.
Since Medicare Advantage plans are provided through private insurers, you will get your coverage through them. Medicare Advantage plans often require you to stay within a plan network and vary by your city or county, so make sure that you are looking into plans that are available where you live in Colorado.
Best Medicare Insurance Companies in Colorado
While there are a number of Medicare Advantage options available in Colorado, U.S. News & World Report recommends two top-ranked companies.
- Erickson Advantage
- Kaiser Permanente
Both Erickson Advantage and Kaiser Permanente offer multiple plans in Colorado. Many of these plans also include prescription drug coverage. The Erickson Advantage Champion plan offers out-of-network options and includes additional coverage like dental treatment, including exams, cleaning and fluoride treatment.
Kaiser Permanente plans can cover wellness and fitness programs, as well as foot exams and routine foot care.
If you are interested in a certain item or service being covered, check to see if any plans available in your area offer that coverage.
Medicare Advantage plans often include benefits that go beyond the scope of Original Medicare, so consider exploring your options to find out what’s best for your needs.
4 Cited Research Articles
- U.S. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. (2022, September 29). Fact Sheet. Retrieved from https://www.cms.gov/files/document/2023-medicare-advantage-and-part-d-state-state-fact-sheets.pdf
- U.S. News & World Report. (2020, October 15). Medicare Advantage Plans in Colorado. Retrieved from https://health.usnews.com/medicare/colorado-medicare-plans
- U.S. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. (n.d.). How do I sign up for Medicare? Retrieved from https://www.medicare.gov/basics/get-started-with-medicare/sign-up/how-do-i-sign-up-for-medicare
- U.S. Department of Health & Human Services. (n.d.). Who is eligible for Medicare? Retrieved from https://www.hhs.gov/answers/medicare-and-medicaid/who-is-eligible-for-medicare/index.html
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