Denver County, CO Medicare Plan Guide 2027

Where do Denver residents apply for Health First Colorado or Old Age Pension?

Denver Human Services is the county office for public benefits. It helps residents enroll in Medicaid, which Colorado calls Health First Colorado, and it handles Old Age Pension, a state program that gives financial assistance, and at times health care assistance, to low-income Coloradans 60 and older. Call 720-944-4DHS (720-944-4347) for an appointment, or apply online through Colorado PEAK, the state's benefits portal.

Denver Human Services points out that Medicare itself is not one of its programs, and that line matters. If you qualify for both Medicare and Health First Colorado, you may be able to choose a Dual Eligible Special Needs Plan, and the right one depends on your doctors and prescriptions. The state's Old Age Pension Health and Medical Care Program is a separate, narrower benefit: it provides limited medical care for people who get Old Age Pension but earn too much for Health First Colorado.

What other help does the City and County of Denver give older adults?

The city's Office on Aging works to support older Denver residents with programs that protect their safety, dignity and independence. It publishes an Older Adult Resource Guide, offers Aging Well workshops and links to the Denver Commission on Aging, an advisory body residents can join. Reach the office at aging@denvergov.org or (720) 944-2498. Denver is also one of the eight counties served by the Denver Regional Council of Governments (DRCOG) Area Agency on Aging, whose information line, 303-480-6700, explains Medicare, Medicaid and Social Security.

For housing costs, the Denver Department of Housing Stability runs a Property Tax Relief Program that returns part of the property taxes you paid, or the equivalent in rent. Questions go to 720-944-4TAX (4829). A rebate does not change which Medicare plans you can buy, but on a fixed income it can make room for a Medigap premium or the drug costs a plan leaves to you. For 2025 rebates, the program lists these terms:

• Age: 62 or older during the whole previous calendar year (disability and some other situations also qualify)
• Homeowners: income at or below 80% of Denver area median income, $72,950 for one person and $83,400 for two
• Renters: income at or below 30% of area median income, $29,450 for one person and $33,650 for two
• Payments: up to $1,800 for homeowners and up to $1,000 for renters
• Deadline: the rebate covers the previous tax year, so applications for 2025 property taxes or rent are accepted from May 1, 2026 to April 30, 2027, or until funds run out

How does Denver Health fit into my Medicare choice?

Denver Health has served the city since 1860 and calls itself the region's primary safety net health system, caring for patients regardless of their ability to pay. Its integrated system includes a Level I Trauma Center at 777 Bannock Street, primary and specialty care clinics, school-based health centers, the Denver Health Paramedic Division and the Public Health Institute at Denver Health.

If your primary care already happens at a Denver Health clinic, start your 2027 comparison there. Confirm that the clinic and any Denver Health specialists you see are in a plan's network, since a plan that excludes them would mean changing doctors, not just cards.

I retired from the City and County of Denver. Should I keep DERP retiree coverage?

Retirees in the Denver Employees Retirement Plan (DERP) can buy group health coverage, and DERP's 2026 retiree health guide explains its Insurance Premium Reduction (IPR). The IPR is $12.50 per year of service each month before Medicare and $6.25 per year of service each month once you are on Medicare. With 20 years of service, that works out to $250 a month before Medicare and $125 a month after. The IPR is paid only while you are enrolled in DERP's group insurance.

DERP treats becoming eligible for Medicare as a qualifying life event, and changes must be made within 30 days; otherwise changes wait for the annual October open enrollment. Compare the DERP premium after the IPR with individual Medicare Advantage, Medigap and Part D options before your Medicare start date, not after. Lisa can run that comparison with you by phone or video.

Local sources: Denver Human Services: Support for Older Adults · Colorado HCPF: Old Age Pension Health and Medical Care Program · City and County of Denver: Office on Aging · DRCOG: Area Agency on Aging · DRCOG: Information and assistance · City and County of Denver: Property Tax Relief Program · Denver Health: About Denver Health · DERP: 2026 Retiree Health Insurance Guide