Report: The Impact of Continuous Medicaid and CHP+ Enrollment on Children in Colorado

Download the entire Continuous Medicaid and CHP+ Enrollment Report PDF.

From 2020 until the end of 2023, people who were enrolled in public health programs like Medicaid or CHP+ could maintain health coverage without having to constantly submit paperwork to prove their eligibility, regardless of changes in income or family circumstances. This temporary federal policy change, known as continuous enrollment, was intended to support people’s access to health care during the COVID-19 pandemic.  

This report, “The Impact of Continuous Medicaid and CHP+ Enrollment on Children in Colorado,” was produced by the Center for Improving Value in Health Care (CIVHC) on behalf of the Colorado Children’s Campaign, with the support of the Health Equity Fund, an initiative of The Colorado Health Foundation dedicated to advancing health equity across Colorado.  

Researchers from CIVHC used real Coloradans’ health records to examine for the first time the health and financial implications of this policy, with a focus on children ages 3 and under. 

Researchers found that significant health benefits and cost savings resulted from continuous enrollment. The report’s findings include: 

Continuous enrollment policies during the pandemic saved Colorado families and taxpayers money   

• In 2022, average total medical bills were 3.2 times higher for children under 3 without continuous coverage than for children with continuous coverage 

• In 2024, the families of children under 3 without continuous coverage spent an average of $2,000 more on medical bills than the families of children with continuous coverage 

• Colorado could have saved up to $63 million in state, federal, and family spending in 2023 by giving all young kids continuous coverage 

Continuous enrollment kept Colorado kids healthier and helped them get care in the right place at enrollment right time. 

• In 2024, kids with continuous coverage were 1.5 times more likely to see a primary care doctor. 

• In 2022, kids without continuous coverage were 7.5 times more likely to be hospitalized – which can be evidence that children did not get needed preventive care in a more appropriate setting when they needed it or that they lack a health care home. 

• In 2022, kids without continuous coverage were 4.5 more likely to be readmitted to the hospital within 30 days.

Download the entire Continuous Medicaid and CHP+ Enrollment Report PDF.