Medical Benefits

Your State of Colorado Medical Plan Options

When choosing a medical plan, it's important to consider what you want to cover and the total cost of that coverage. For the same service, you may pay higher costs with one plan than you will with the other. The ideal medical plan should cover most of your health needs and stay within your budget. 

The State offers multiple health plan options through Cigna and Kaiser Permanente. Compare Cigna and Kaiser Permanente coverage costs on our Plan Costs page.

Cigna Kaiser Permanente

What You Can Expect

Preventive Care

Preventive care visits are always no-cost; they help keep you healthy by screening for and preventing serious medical issues. Annual check-ups, flu shots, immunizations, and some tests and screenings are all examples of preventive care.

Many preventive medications, including insulin, diabetic supplies, some cardiovascular drugs, antidepressants, and more, are available at no cost to you.

Preventive and diagnostic colonoscopies are covered at 100% with all medical plans, whether or not polyps are removed.

Outpatient Mental Wellness 

Outpatient mental health services include treatment that takes place in a clinical setting, office, or hospital, but does not involve an overnight stay. These services are 100% covered by the copay medical plans. Kaiser Permanente High-Deductible Health Plan (HDHP) members must meet their deductible before 100% coverage. Cigna HDHP members receive three no-cost visits per issue, per year.

Virtual Visits & Telemedicine 

Skip the waiting room and speak with a board-certified physician over the phone or on your computer. Phone consultations and online video visits give you direct access to a licensed medical professional who can: 

• Treat common medical conditions, such as colds, flu, bronchitis, allergies, rashes, etc. 
• Provide specialist referrals 
• Prescribe short-term medication 

Cigna members: To schedule an appointment, visit mycigna.com or download the myCigna mobile app.  
Kaiser Permanente members: Visit kp.org or download the Kaiser Permanente mobile app. 

These services are available with all medical plans (Cigna and Kaiser Permanente).

Helpful Terms & Definitions 

Employee Premium

The cost you pay for your medical plan that's deducted from your paycheck. Plans with lower premiums tend to have a higher deductible, coinsurance, and out-of-pocket maximum.

Deductible

Deductible: The amount you pay each plan year before the plan begins paying benefits.

Deductible (Aggregate): All family members contribute toward the family deductible. The plan does not pay for any individual until the total family deductible is met. 

Deductible (Embedded): A plan featuring an individual deductible within a family deductible. Any costs you pay toward the individual deductible also count toward the family deductible. If one family member meets the individual deductible, they will receive benefits even if the family deductible is not met. 
 

Copay

A fixed dollar amount you pay the provider at the time of service.

Coinsurance

The percentage paid for a covered service, shared by you and the plan.

Out-of-Pocket Maximum

The maximum amount you pay each year before the plan begins paying 100% for covered expenses.