NEWS & Announcements

Forms and Documents

The link will take you to the Forms and Documents Page where you can have access to US and FSM FORMS AND DOCUMENTS such as passport application and instructions, I-94 Forms and Docs, Entry Permit to the FSM, etc…

In December 2018, President Trump signed the REAL ID Act Modification for Freely Associated States Act (REAL ID Modification Act).[3] The REAL ID Modification Act authorizes states to issue full-term REAL ID-compliant driver’s licenses and identification cards Start Printed Page 46557to FAS citizens admitted under the COFAs.In December 2018, President Trump signed the REAL ID Act Modification for Freely Associated States Act (REAL ID Modification Act).^[3] The REAL ID Modification Act authorizes states to issue full-term REAL ID-compliant driver’s licenses and identification cards to FAS citizens admitted under the COFAs…READ MORE

Medicaid in the United States is a federal and state program that helps with healthcare costs for some people with limited income and resources.

While FSM citizens have been made eligible federally, several states have yet to update their policies or are unclear about whether FSM citizens will receive coverage. Click here to see a guide to eligibility by state to see your state’s policies.

For citizens in Arizona, California, Idaho, Oregon, Washington, Nevada, and New Mexico, you can also check out the consulate website www.portland.fsmembassy.fm. 

For citizens in Hawaii, check out www.hawaii.fsmembassy.fm

For citizens on Guam, please check out www.guam.fsmembassy.fm for more information. 

Information on the State of Colorado Medicaid Program

1. Are citizens of the COFA states, in particular from the Federated States of Micronesia, able to access Medicaid in the State of Colorado?

Yes. Citizens of the COFA states can access Medicaid in Colorado. They may apply for Medicaid through any method (online, mail/in person, phone). They are considered qualified non-citizens without a 5-year waiting period. For more information on how and where to apply, anyone may visit our How to Apply page.

Online www.colorado.gov/PEAK

Paper Application (mail/in-person) Health First Colorado / Child Health Plan Plus (CHP+) Paper Application

Phone 1-800-221-3943 / State Relay 711

2. How is the State of Colorado implementing this Medicaid eligibility?

Prior to the Consolidated Appropriations Act, COFA individuals who were pregnant or children under the age of 19 were already considered lawfully present qualified non-citizens without a 5-year waiting period. The State has already updated our eligibility rules to expand eligibility to all COFA individuals (as qualified non-citizens without a 5-year waiting period) effective December 27, 2020. The State has also updated our Colorado Benefits Management System (CBMS) to reflect the updated eligibility criteria.

3. Any specific guidelines for this group (COFA states) for their eligibility for Medicaid building on the workaround measures advanced by CMS?

Colorado’s Medicaid application already includes a place for individuals to report their non-citizen status, so no updates/workarounds were needed to our application process. For those from COFA states, they can report they are from Micronesia, the Marshall Islands, or Palau. Based on this information, CBMS Verify Lawful Presence (VLP) interface connects with the Systematic Alien Verification for Entitlements (SAVE) to verify an individual’s non-citizen status per federal regulations. If electronic verification of status is not immediately
available, the applicant will be approved for Medicaid for a 90-day Reasonable Opportunity Period during which they will have additional time to provide verification of their status.

4. Any other information that can be shared relating to this group’s eligibility?

The Department released a memo to provide guidance to our eligibility partners and stakeholders regarding the updated eligibility for all COFA individuals. The Department is also working with local legal/advocacy groups to draft a plain-language FAQ document for COFA individuals interested in applying for Medicaid. Once we have our FAQ finalized, we can share that with you as well. As with all populations, the Department does not pre-screen or pre-determine eligibility for Medicaid. We encourage anyone who is interested in Medicaid coverage to apply at any time. All individuals who apply for coverage have the
right to a full eligibility determination, as well as an official notice of their eligibility, which includes their appeal rights if they do not agree with the decision.

HCPF OM 21-058 Compact of Free Association (COFA) Migrants

Please click on the link to learn more about the Amended Compact of 2023

Please click on the link to learn more about the Factsheets on the Amended Compact of 2023