Colorado Resources

Did you know that Colorado is one of only 15 states that have mandated health benefits for cleft lip and palate? Some families have to fight insurance companies that claim procedures and surgeries related to cleft are merely “cosmetic,” not medically necessary. Should you ever find yourself in a similar situation, be sure you know your rights. Visit http://www.cleftadvocate.org/insurance.html  for some important information regarding current state mandates AND view helpful resources, including tips on speaking with providers. While you’re there, be sure to sign the petition to ensure similar legislation is passed in other states.

Click here to view a presentation on Colorado Insurance Law and Cleft Lip and Palate Coverage by the Colorado Division of Insurance.


 

Cleft Lip and Palate Clinics
The Children’s Hospital Colorado, Cleft Lip and Palate Clinic

The Cleft Lip and Palate Clinic at Children’s Hospital Colorado is one of the top centers in the country for the treatment of cleft lip and palate. This department has received the recognition of being an official Cleft Palate Team  a national distinction from the American Cleft Palate – Craniofacial Association. The multidisciplinary team includes plastic surgeons, pediatric otolaryngologists, pediatric dentists, speech-language pathologists, audiologists, pediatricians, physical therapists and social workers.

 

Memorial Hospital for Children Cleft Palate Specialty Clinic
At our Memorial Hospital for Children pediatric specialty clinics, we provide comprehensive medical evaluation and treatment to children of all ages. The clinics cooperate and collaborate with the patient’s primary care physician or pediatrician in all aspects of care.

 

Poudre Valley Hospital Cleft Clinic
Children born with cleft lip and/or palate are often followed through to adulthood by their cleft team. In addition to regular appointments, such as speech therapy, the children typically come to the Cleft Clinic for an annual appointment, where they see all their specialists in one visit. The team assesses their development and addresses any ongoing needs. The timing of different interventions can thus be properly and optimally coordinated.

 

Rose Medical Center Cleft Palate and Craniofacial Center
The Rose Medical Center Cleft Palate & Craniofacial Center has assembled experienced professionals in the Rocky Mountain region to provide a comprehensive approach to treating cleft palate—a facial birth defect—through surgery and extensive recovery care. They promise a compassionate and helpful experience for families during evaluation and treatment.

 

Health Coverage
All Kids Covered Colorado
Since the Fall of 2006, All Kids Covered has worked with policymakers, service providers, and other stakeholders to make Colorado’s public health insurance programs work better for kids and families. We want every child in Colorado to have access to affordable health coverage and quality care.

 

Child Health Plan Plus
Child Health Plan Plus (CHP+) is low-cost health insurance for Colorado’s uninsured children and pregnant women. CHP+ is public health insurance for children and pregnant women who earn too much to qualify for Medicaid, but cannot afford private health insurance.

 

Children with Special Health Care Needs Unit
The CSHCN Unit works with state and community partners to develop a system of coordinated services and supports for children with special health care needs.

 

Connect for Health Colorado
Connect for Health Colorado is a marketplace that opened in October 2013 to help individuals, families and small employers across Colorado purchase health insurance and apply for new federal financial assistance to reduce costs. In addition to the shopping website, Connect for Health Colorado offers a statewide customer support network of Customer Service Center Representatives, Health Coverage Guides and licensed agents/brokers to help Coloradans find the best health plan for their needs.

 

Peak Colorado
Peak Colorado is the state system to apply for public benefits, including Medicaid and Child Health Plan Plus. Eligibility is based on family size, income, and citizenship.

 

Women, Infants, and Children
Special supplemental nutrition program from women, infants and children.  The Colorado Department of Public Health & Environment (CDPHE) provides funding and policy to county health departments, nursing services or community health centers to provide WIC services for people in individual Colorado counties.

 

Additional Resources

Cleft Lip and Palate Foundation of Smiles, Colorado Resource Guide
The Cleft Lip and Palate Foundation of Smiles seeks to educate and bring awareness to others around the world whose lives are touched by cleft lip and or/ palate and other craniofacial anomalies. They provide support, education, advocacy, and research.  One service they provide is a state resource guide that includes information on health care and early intervention programs.

 

Dash for Smiles
Dash for Smiles is dedicated to increasing awareness of cleft lip and palate, as well as raising funds to help Colorado families struggling with the financial difficulties of healthcare costs related to having a child affected by cleft. The organization was founded by three dedicated moms with children born with cleft lip/palate.

 

Early Intervention Colorado
The Colorado Department of Human Services, Division for Developmental Disabilities administers the Early Intervention Colorado Program and contracts with twenty Community Centered Boards statewide to provide early intervention supports and services to infants, toddlers, and their families within their communities.

 

Parent to Parent of Colorado
Parent to Parent of Colorado is a parent initiated, parent controlled, organized group that builds inclusive communities, takes effective and constructive group action, and supports each other on the journey of parenting sons and daughters with special health care needs or disabilities.