In a first, Colorado gets CMS approval to make gender-affirming care an essential health benefit October 13, 2021 Auto Bot ACA, access, CMS, Employee Benefits, Legal, LGBTQ+, Marketplaces, News, Payers 0 All individual and small group health plans in Colorado’s Affordable Care Act marketplace must cover a wide range of gender-affirming services, including breast/chest construction and reductions and laser hair removal, starting Jan. 1, 2023.