Frequently Asked Questions

All Colorado residents are eligible for our services regardless of income level, insurance status, immigration status, or geographic location within the state. We do not require proof of residency, identification, or insurance to access any of our advocacy, navigation, or educational services. While the majority of our clients reside in the Denver metro area, we serve patients statewide through phone and video consultations for those who cannot visit our office in person. Our Spanish-language navigators are available at all scheduled sessions and upon request for walk-in hours at our Denver location.

Every service Common Sense Healthcare provides is completely free. We never charge patients for insurance navigation, medical bill review, denial appeals, prior authorization assistance, or workshop attendance. Our organization is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit funded entirely through foundation grants, corporate sponsorships, and individual donations. We never accept referral fees, commissions, or payments from insurance carriers, healthcare providers, or pharmaceutical companies, which ensures our advocacy is always independent and in the patient's best interest.

We assist with a wide range of insurance-related issues including plan comparison and enrollment through the ACA marketplace or Connect for Health Colorado, Medicaid and CHP+ eligibility determination and application, employer-sponsored plan analysis, Medicare Part D formulary comparison, COBRA continuation counseling, Special Enrollment Period qualification, claim denials and appeals (both internal and external), prior authorization disputes, balance billing and surprise billing complaints, and insurance complaint filings with the Colorado Division of Insurance. If you are unsure whether your issue falls within our scope, submit an intake form or call us — we will either help you directly or connect you with the appropriate resource.

The timeline depends on the complexity of your medical bills. A straightforward single-provider bill review typically takes five to seven business days. Complex cases involving multiple providers, hospital facility fees, or surgical billing can take two to four weeks for a thorough line-by-line analysis. After the review, we schedule a consultation to walk you through our findings and discuss next steps. If we identify errors or opportunities for negotiation, we begin the provider outreach and negotiation process immediately. The total resolution timeline, from initial review through final negotiated outcome, typically ranges from three to twelve weeks depending on the provider's responsiveness and the complexity of the billing dispute.

No. Common Sense Healthcare provides healthcare literacy education, patient advocacy, and navigation assistance. We do not provide medical diagnoses, treatment recommendations, or clinical opinions — those should always come from your licensed healthcare provider. Similarly, while our executive director is a licensed attorney and our legal advisory board includes experienced health law practitioners, Common Sense Healthcare does not provide legal representation, legal advice, or attorney-client services. If your situation requires formal legal action against an insurance company or provider, we can refer you to qualified health law attorneys, including pro bono legal resources through the Colorado Bar Association's health law section.

To make the most of your initial consultation, please bring or have available: your insurance card and plan documents (Summary of Benefits and Coverage is ideal), any medical bills or Explanation of Benefits statements related to your issue, denial letters or prior authorization correspondence, a list of your current medications and prescribers, and any notes about your situation including dates, provider names, and amounts. If you do not have all of these documents, do not let that stop you from scheduling a consultation — our advocates can often obtain the necessary information by contacting your insurance company or provider on your behalf with your authorization.

Yes. While our physical office and walk-in clinics are located in Denver, we serve Colorado residents statewide through phone and video consultations. Many of our services — including medical bill review, denial appeals, and insurance navigation — can be conducted entirely remotely. We also host periodic outreach clinics in Colorado Springs, Fort Collins, and Pueblo through our community partner network. If you are located in a rural area and cannot access any of our physical or remote services, contact us and we will work to connect you with a local resource or arrange an alternative consultation format.

We take client confidentiality extremely seriously. All personal information, medical records, financial documents, and case details shared with Common Sense Healthcare are maintained under our organizational confidentiality policy. Our staff and volunteers sign confidentiality agreements as a condition of employment or service. We store client records in encrypted, access-controlled systems and never share client information with third parties without explicit written authorization. When we contact insurance companies, providers, or government agencies on your behalf, we do so only with your written consent using a signed authorization form. Our complete privacy practices are outlined in our Privacy Policy.

Absolutely. For Medicare beneficiaries, we assist with Medicare Advantage plan comparison, Part D formulary review and enrollment, Medigap supplement analysis, Medicare Savings Program and Extra Help/Low-Income Subsidy applications, and Medicare-related billing disputes. For Medicaid (Health First Colorado) members, we help with eligibility determination and application, provider network navigation, managed care organization selection, and appeals of adverse benefit determinations. We also assist individuals transitioning between Medicaid and marketplace coverage due to income changes or the ongoing Medicaid redetermination process following the end of the continuous enrollment provision.

There are several ways to support our work. Tax-deductible financial contributions help us maintain and expand our free services — our EIN for donation purposes is 84-2950381. We also welcome volunteers with backgrounds in healthcare administration, insurance, social work, law, or community organizing to join our trained volunteer advocate network. Corporate and organizational partners can sponsor workshops, host navigation clinic sessions at their facilities, or provide in-kind support. Finally, spreading the word about our services to friends, family, and community members who may be struggling with healthcare costs or insurance issues is one of the most impactful ways to support our mission. Contact us at info@commonsensehealthcare.org to learn more about volunteer and sponsorship opportunities.