The U.S. Congress has not authorized continued federal funding for the entire nationwide Child Health Plan Plus (CHP+) program in spite of broad, bipartisan support for medical and dental benefit this program provides for many working class families. CHP+ program funding expired Sept. 30.
While Colorado has reserve funds to continue its CHP+ program through January 2018, beginning Nov. 20, it will begin notifying all CHP+ members that their coverage may end as of Jan. 31, 2018, unless Congress acts to renew funding for the program by that date. As a result, you might see an increase questions from patients about continued-care options or an increase in CHP+ patients accessing dental care services in the next few weeks, ahead of the potential expiration of this benefit.
If CHP+ is discontinued, nearly 90,000 Colorado children will lose coverage for dental services, creating a big gap in coverage for children. There is hope that Congress will renew funding for the CHP+ program prior to the end of 2018, preserving critical oral health and physical health benefits for a vulnerable population.