Resources for Reporting on Medicaid Work Requirements and Six-Month Renewals

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

October 28, 2026

Media Contact
Marc Williams
Department of Health Care Policy & Financing
720-626-0801 (Cell)

DENVER, CO - The Colorado Department of Health Care Policy & Financing (HCPF) hosted a media roundtable on Oct. 27 to provide an overview of upcoming changes to Health First Colorado (Colorado's Medicaid program) under H.R. 1, including new work requirements and more frequent eligibility renewals for some members.

The roundtable covered how these federal changes may affect Health First Colorado members, how HCPF is preparing for implementation, and the resources available to help reporters understand the changes, and in turn, help inform members what actions may be needed to maintain their coverage.

Please refer to the presentation materials and additional resources below to support ongoing reporting and help keep Coloradans informed about these changes.

Media Roundtable Materials

Additional Resources

• H.R. 1 Communications Toolkit - Provides partners with ready-to-use communication materials designed to help Health First Colorado members understand upcoming federal changes and know what actions they may need to take.
• H.R. 1 Health First Colorado Frequently Asked Questions - Provides answers to common questions about how H.R. 1 will affect member coverage, how to check coverage status, access benefits, renew coverage and get care.
• H.R. 1 Medicaid Partner Frequently Asked Questions - Provides partners with answers to common questions about H.R. 1 changes, including work requirements, eligibility and implementation.
• H.R. 1 Medicaid Work Requirements Stakeholder Page - Provides information about work requirements, including how HCPF will evaluate whether members meet the requirements or qualify for an exemption.
• Health First Colorado Work Requirements Screener - An interactive tool to help members learn whether work requirements may apply to them or whether they may qualify for an exemption.
• Six-Month Renewals Page - Provides information about upcoming changes to Medicaid renewal frequency, including which members will need to renew every six months and which will continue with annual renewals.
• County Fact Sheets - Show Health First Colorado member populations by county. Members potentially affected by work requirements are included in the Affordable Care Act Expansion population.
• H.R. 1 Letters and Forms - The "Reference letters and forms" section includes letters sent to members who may be affected by H.R. 1 changes. It also includes forms HCPF is using to gather information to determine whether members meet work requirements and can keep their coverage.

About the Colorado Department of Health Care Policy & Financing

The Department administers Health First Colorado (Colorado's Medicaid program), Child Health Plan Plus, and other programs for Coloradans who qualify. These health care programs now cover about one in four Coloradans. For more information about the Department, please visit hcpf.colorado.gov.