Denver Health Medicaid vs Health First Colorado

This is the core distinction between plan types. The short answer: dental benefits are the same either way, but the plans differ in how medical care is managed.

Health First Colorado (Colorado's Medicaid Program)

Health First Colorado is the name for Colorado's entire Medicaid program. Everyone on Medicaid in Colorado is a Health First Colorado member.

With standard Health First Colorado (sometimes called "fee-for-service" Medicaid), members can see any Medicaid-enrolled provider across the state. Members are assigned to a Regional Accountable Entity (RAE) based on county of residence, which helps coordinate behavioral health and care management.

Denver Health Medicaid Choice (Elevate Medicaid Choice)

Denver Health Medicaid Choice (now branded as "Elevate Medicaid Choice") is a managed care organization (MCO) option within Health First Colorado. It is not a separate program — it's a way of receiving Health First Colorado benefits through Denver Health's network.

Key differences from standard Health First Colorado:

Available only in 4 counties: Adams, Arapahoe, Denver, and Jefferson
Requires using Denver Health clinics for primary and specialty medical care
Members get a Denver Health PCP and must get referrals through their system for specialists
Same covered benefits as regular Medicaid, plus some expanded benefits (like eyewear)
Care outside the Denver Health network requires PCP authorization

Members can switch away from DHMC within the first 90 days of enrollment by calling Health First Colorado at 303-839-2120.

How Dental Benefits Work Under Both

This is the important part: dental benefits are identical regardless of which plan a member is on.

Both standard Health First Colorado and Denver Health Medicaid Choice members get their dental benefits through DentaQuest. The same benefit summary, the same covered procedures, the same provider network applies.

The only practical difference:

DHMC members can call DentaQuest at 1-888-278-7310 (DHMC-specific line)
Standard Health First Colorado members call 1-855-225-1729

Denver Health also operates its own dental clinics (see Providers/Denver Health Dental Clinics), which are available to both DHMC and standard Medicaid members.

What "Dental Group" Means

When "dental group" comes up in the context of Medicaid enrollment, it typically refers to:

The Dental Home — the specific dental office DentaQuest assigns a member to (this can be changed)
The broader DentaQuest provider network that serves all Health First Colorado members

It does NOT mean members are locked into a separate dental plan or a different set of benefits. Everyone uses DentaQuest.

Bottom Line

For dental needs, it doesn't matter whether a member is on standard Health First Colorado or Denver Health Medicaid Choice. The coverage, the administrator (DentaQuest), and the provider network are the same. The difference only affects medical care delivery.