If you need health insurance or the insurance you have is too expensive, starting in January 2014 you may have been able to qualify for Medicaid or for financial assistance to help buy health insurance through the Connect for Health Colorado marketplace. To find out how to apply and what you’ll need to complete your application, click here. PEAK is a service for Coloradans to screen and apply for medical, food, and cash assistance programs. Access PEAK. Assistance applying for PEAK is available from your library.  Starting in 2014, most people will be required to have health insurance coverage or pay a penalty if they do not. Coverage may include employer- provided insurance, coverage an individual purchases on their own, Medicaid, Children’s Health Plan Plus (CHIP+), Medicare or TRICARE. The requirement applies to individuals of all ages, including children. To find out more about the requirement to have health insurance, click here or visit IRS.gov. The federal website for the Affordable Care Act can be accessed by clicking here.