Best Medicare & Medicaid Insurance in Denver, CO

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Seniors Blue Book

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Jul 21, 2026

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Understanding Medicare, Medicaid, and long-term care coverage can be difficult even under ordinary circumstances. When an older adult is also dealing with declining health, a hospital discharge, medication changes, or the possibility of needing help at home, the number of decisions can quickly become overwhelming.

Families may need to determine whether their loved one qualifies for Medicaid, how to complete an application, whether long-term care services are covered, or whether a coordinated program such as PACE could help the individual continue living at home. Each path serves a different purpose, so choosing the right resource begins with understanding the kind of assistance being offered.

The following three Medicare and Medicaid resources serve Denver or surrounding Colorado communities. They include a statewide Medicaid consulting service and two Programs of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly. The best fit will depend on the older adult’s location, health needs, financial eligibility, and preferred approach to care.


Understanding Medicare, Medicaid, and PACE

Medicare is a federal health insurance program primarily for adults age 65 and older, as well as certain younger people with qualifying disabilities or medical conditions. Medicaid is a joint federal and state program that provides health coverage to eligible people based on factors that may include income, assets, age, disability, and care needs. In Colorado, Medicaid is known as Health First Colorado.

Some older adults qualify for both Medicare and Medicaid. These individuals are often described as “dual eligible.” Having both programs may help cover a broader range of medical and long-term care needs, but coordinating the benefits can still be complicated.

PACE, which stands for Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly, is another option for certain older adults. PACE combines medical care, medications, therapies, transportation, social services, and other approved support through one coordinated program. Most PACE participants qualify for both Medicare and Medicaid, although individuals with only one program or neither program may be able to enroll under different payment arrangements.

To qualify for PACE, an individual generally must:

  • Be at least 55 years old
  • Live within an approved PACE service area
  • Be certified as needing a nursing facility level of care
  • Be able to live safely in the community with PACE support

Because PACE programs operate within specific geographic boundaries, families should always verify the person’s home address or ZIP code before beginning enrollment.


InnovAge Colorado PACE

Phone: 720-896-7432

InnovAge Colorado PACE offers an all-inclusive care program for eligible older adults who want to remain in their homes and communities rather than move into a nursing facility. InnovAge operates multiple Colorado PACE centers, including a Denver center at 1265 South Broadway. Its other Colorado locations include Aurora, Lakewood, Thornton, Pueblo, and Northern Colorado.

The Denver PACE center provides access to clinical spaces, therapy, social activities, dining areas, exercise opportunities, and other services designed around the needs of older participants. The center also has patios, a clinical exercise gym, and regularly scheduled activities.

PACE is more than an adult day program or transportation service. It becomes the participant’s coordinated healthcare program. An interdisciplinary team evaluates the participant’s medical, functional, emotional, nutritional, and social needs and develops an individualized plan of care.

Depending on the approved care plan, InnovAge PACE services may include:

  • Primary medical care
  • Specialist coordination
  • Prescription medications
  • Dental services
  • Physical and occupational therapy
  • Behavioral health support
  • Transportation to approved appointments
  • Home care assistance
  • Nutritional services
  • Social activities
  • Adult day health services
  • Care coordination

InnovAge reports that eligible participants who have both Medicare and Medicaid can receive its PACE program without a participant premium. Costs can differ for people who have Medicare without Medicaid, so every applicant should request an individualized explanation before enrolling.


TRU PACE

Phone: 303-665-0115

TRU PACE is a program of TRU Community Care that provides coordinated medical and supportive services to eligible older adults. Its PACE center is located at 2593 Park Lane in Lafayette.

TRU PACE does not serve every Denver address. Its enrollment materials identify communities within Boulder County and surrounding north and northwest metro areas, including Arvada, Brighton, Broomfield, Federal Heights, Northglenn, Thornton, Westminster, Lafayette, Longmont, Louisville, Erie, and other listed communities. Families should have an enrollment specialist confirm the applicant’s exact address before proceeding.

TRU PACE describes itself as a managed healthcare plan for older adults. Participants receive services through a coordinated team rather than arranging each medical and supportive service separately.

Available services may include:

  • Primary medical care
  • Medication management
  • Specialty care
  • Physical therapy
  • In-home care
  • Social work assistance
  • Transportation
  • Dental, hearing, and vision services
  • Day center activities
  • Meal and nutrition support
  • Hospital coordination

The TRU PACE day center offers medical care, therapy, meals, exercise, recreational programming, and opportunities for participants to spend time with others. Transportation is provided for approved medical appointments and PACE center attendance according to the participant’s care plan.

Who may benefit from TRU PACE

TRU PACE may be a strong option for an eligible older adult who lives in its service area and:

  • Needs help managing several medical conditions
  • Requires transportation to appointments
  • Needs assistance at home
  • Would benefit from therapy or medication oversight
  • Experiences social isolation
  • Needs coordinated dental, hearing, or vision services
  • Wants to remain in a private home or community residence
  • Has a family caregiver who needs more support

Applicants generally must be at least 55, live within the TRU PACE service area, meet Colorado’s nursing facility level-of-care requirement, and be able to remain safely in the community with PACE services.

TRU PACE states that participants who have Medicaid receive PACE services at no cost. Individuals with different Medicare and Medicaid eligibility should ask for a complete cost explanation. TRU PACE also becomes the participant’s healthcare plan after enrollment, and most nonemergency care must be received from approved or contracted providers. Unauthorized out-of-network care may become the participant’s financial responsibility.


Why Medicare and Medicaid Guidance Matters Locally

Older adults in the Denver metro area frequently receive services from providers located in different cities. A person may live in Denver while visiting specialists in Aurora, attending therapy in Lakewood, or relying on relatives in Thornton or Westminster.

When health needs increase, coordinating care across the metro area can become difficult. Transportation, medication management, provider communication, and caregiver availability all affect whether an older adult can continue living safely at home.

PACE programs can reduce some of that fragmentation by placing responsibility for approved healthcare and supportive services with one coordinated team. Medicaid consulting can address a different but equally important challenge by helping families understand the application process and the financial rules connected to long-term care benefits.

The right resource can help a family move from reacting to emergencies toward building a more organized plan.


How to Get Started

1. Identify the immediate concern

Determine whether the family primarily needs help with:

  • A Medicaid application
  • Financial eligibility
  • A redetermination or coverage problem
  • Medical care coordination
  • Transportation
  • In-home assistance
  • Therapy or medication management
  • Caregiver support
  • An alternative to nursing facility placement

2. Confirm the service area

PACE enrollment is based partly on where the applicant lives. Provide the complete home address and ZIP code when speaking with InnovAge or TRU PACE. Do not assume that every Denver metro address is covered by the same organization.

3. Gather basic information

Before contacting a provider, collect:

  • Medicare and Medicaid cards
  • Health insurance information
  • A list of diagnoses and medications
  • Names of current doctors
  • Recent hospital or rehabilitation records
  • Information about daily living needs
  • Income and asset documentation when seeking Medicaid assistance
  • Existing home care or long-term care information
  • The applicant’s complete home address

Avoid sending Social Security numbers, medical records, or detailed financial information through an unsecured online contact form.

4. Request an eligibility conversation

Ask the organization to explain:

  • Basic qualifications
  • The evaluation process
  • Expected costs
  • Required documents
  • Provider-network requirements
  • The likely enrollment timeline
  • What changes after enrollment

5. Compare the options carefully

Consider not only which services are included, but also how the program would affect existing doctors, family caregiving arrangements, transportation, home care, and personal preferences.

6. Review documents before signing

Medicaid and PACE decisions can affect healthcare providers, payment responsibilities, and long-term care planning. Read all documents carefully and request clarification about anything that is unclear.

 

Related Senior Care Categories

Medicaid Planning

Medicare Advantage Plans

Elder Law Attorneys

 

This article was researched and written by Seniors Blue Book. Seniors Blue Book connects seniors, families, and caregivers with trusted local senior care resources across the country. Browse local listings, read expert articles, and order a free printed guide at seniorsbluebook.com.

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