At a Glance is a Department of Health Care Policy & Financing (HCPF) publication that provides information on major initiatives, policy changes and program updates. Feel free to share At a Glance with your colleagues. Find previous editions of At a Glance on our website. Thank you for your interest!

Dear Valued Stakeholder,

Over the past several months, I have spent time with legislators, members, providers, advocates and other partners discussing Colorado’s Medicaid program and the challenges ahead. I am grateful for your expertise, perspectives and partnership.

October brings several important federal developments. Through the Rural Health Transformation Program, Colorado is directing nearly $170 million to 91 rural health care providers, supporting approximately 250 projects across rural and frontier communities. Rural communities know what they need, and these investments will help turn locally driven ideas into action to strengthen access to care. A complete list of awardees is available on the RHTP website.

Federally required immigrant eligibility changes also took effect October 1, meaning some Coloradans who qualified for Health First Colorado, Colorado’s Medicaid program, are losing coverage based on their immigration status. We are also preparing for additional H.R. 1 eligibility changes beginning in January, including Medicaid work requirements, also known as community engagement, and more frequent renewals for certain adults. Resources are available in our H.R. 1 toolkits, and I encourage you to join our October 26 webinar for updates on implementation, member impacts and resources.

In a separate federal development, HCPF is disappointed by the recent decision in Texas v. Kennedy. We remain committed to supporting people with disabilities to live, work and participate in their communities with independence and choice while we review what the decision means for Colorado.

At the end of the month, the Governor will release next fiscal year’s budget proposal. We face a significant fiscal challenge. HCPF ended last fiscal year with a nearly $160 million General Fund overexpenditure and currently forecasts a preliminary overexpenditure of more than $400 million General Fund this fiscal year if no action is taken. HCPF is continuing to try to manage the growth in acute care services, especially pharmacy benefits, behavioral health and community-based long-term care.

We take our responsibility for addressing this year’s forecasted spending seriously. Effective September 21, we took action to address spending that is directly in our control, HCPF administration. We implemented a hiring freeze and paused discretionary compensation actions, non-essential travel and other discretionary spending.

As we make difficult decisions, protecting member health and safety will remain a core commitment. We are focusing our actions on driving administrative efficiencies, aligning benefits and services to maximize value, strengthening program integrity and fiscal accountability, and maximizing federal and non-General Fund resources.



We cannot do this work alone. We will need all of us to work together to find solutions that support sustainable Medicaid and Child Health Plan Plus programs. Thank you for continuing to ask hard questions, share your expertise and work alongside us as we navigate the months ahead.

Gretchen Hammer

Executive Director

Colorado Department of Health Care Policy and Financing

H.R. 1 Medicaid Coverage, Eligibility, and Implementation Updates Webinar

HCPF invites stakeholders to register for a webinar on Monday, October 26, from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m., to provide updates on federal changes to Medicaid coverage due to H.R. 1, formerly called the 2025 "One Big Beautiful Bill Act." H.R. 1 introduces several changes to Medicaid, including adding a work requirement and renewal checks every 6 months for certain members. 

In this webinar, staff will review what is changing, describe how HCPF is preparing for those changes, and share what stakeholders can expect in 2027. Staff will review stakeholder resources, including communication tools designed to support members. Staff will also share key updates regarding system changes and how HCPF plans to track the impact of H.R. 1. 

Given anticipated high attendance, attendees are encouraged to submit questions at registration. The webinar will address questions submitted at registration, frequently asked questions, and some live questions.


Meeting Details

• Meeting date and time: Monday, October 26, from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. 
• Intended Audiences: Providers, advocates, case managers, and other stakeholders who work with members.
• Registration and location: Register for this virtual Zoom meeting in advance or at the start of the meeting.  After registering, you will receive a unique link tied to your registration.
• Additional information: Live Spanish and American Sign Language interpretation will be available. 

If you are unable to attend, the meeting recording will be posted to the H.R. 1 Stakeholder Support Hub webpage after the meeting.    

Meeting Accommodation and Language Access Notice  

Auxiliary aids and services for individuals with disabilities and language services for individuals whose first language is not English may be provided upon request. Please notify the meeting organizer at hcpf_stakeholders@state.co.us or the Civil Rights Officer at hcpf504ada@state.co.us at least one week prior to the meeting to make arrangements. 

Aviso sobre adaptaciones para la reunión y acceso lingüístico

Las ayudas y servicios auxiliares para individuos con discapacidades y servicios de idiomas para individuos cuyo idioma materno no sea inglés pueden estar disponibles por solicitud. Comuníquese con organizador de reuniones a hcpf_stakeholders@state.co.us  o con el oficial de derechos civiles a hcpf504ada@state.co.us al menos una semana antes de la reunión para hacer los arreglos necesarios. 

H.R. 1 Toolkit Update: New Work Requirements Resources

New resources are now available in the H.R. 1 Communications Toolkit to help Health First Colorado members, providers and community partners prepare for Medicaid work requirements. 

The latest toolkit materials include member flyers and social media graphics, a staff reference guide, a customizable slide deck for meetings or community presentations, and on-hold messaging for organizations to use in phone systems. 

Together, these materials explain who may need to meet work requirements, who may not be affected, what activities can count and steps members can take now. Partners can also use the H.R. 1 Toolkit Playbook for practical guidance on when and how to use toolkit materials. 

The toolkit also provides links to the Work Requirements Screener, a free and anonymous tool that can help members understand whether work requirements may apply, and copies of the work requirements notice that began mailing last month. Community partners can use these resources when assisting members with questions about the upcoming changes.

Please share these resources with members and your networks and visit the H.R. 1 Communications Toolkit regularly for updates. Follow HCPF on Facebook or LinkedIn for announcements when new items become available.

New H.R. 1 Communications Toolkit Materials Available

HCPF has launched the H.R. 1 Communications Toolkit for Colorado’s Medicaid Program to help providers, community organizations, and other partners share information about upcoming federal Medicaid changes with Health First Colorado members.

The toolkit includes ready-to-use messaging that providers can use to help members take simple actions now, such as keeping contact information up to date, watching for official notices and staying connected to their health coverage. New materials about immigrant coverage changes have also been added to support members who may be affected.

Additional campaigns will be added as implementation activities continue, including information on 6-month renewals and work requirements. Partners are encouraged to visit the toolkit regularly for updates and to follow HCPF on Facebook or LinkedIn for announcements when new materials become available. Please send questions to hcpf_HR1@state.co.us.

Cover All Coloradans: Key Messages about Upcoming Changes

HCPF is sharing Key Messages about upcoming changes to Cover All Coloradans that take effect on July 1, 2026, and January 1, 2027.

These Key Messages provide advocates and health care providers with the information needed to raise awareness and educate community members about the upcoming changes.

Take a look: Key Messages (English) | Key Messages (Spanish).

The Key Messages are also available in six additional languages on the Cover All Coloradans website.

_______



Cover All Coloradans: Mensajes clave sobre los próximos cambios

El HCPF difunde una serie de mensajes clave sobre los próximos cambios en el programa «Cover All Coloradans», que entrarán en vigor el 1 de julio de 2026 y el 1 de enero de 2027.

Estos mensajes clave proporcionan a los defensores de los derechos de los ciudadanos y a los profesionales sanitarios la información necesaria para sensibilizar e informar a los miembros de la comunidad sobre los próximos cambios.

Eche un vistazo: Mensajes clave (Inglés) | Mensajes clave (Español).



Los mensajes clave también están disponibles en otros seis idiomas en la página web de «Cover All Coloradans».