Medicaid Matters

There are no immediate changes to Medicaid coverage or eligibility. Most Medicaid members are unlikely to experience significant changes or disruptions in care until late 2026. Most members will remain eligible, but there may be additional requests for information and other paperwork requirements in the future.

Colorado Access is committed to communicating broadly and transparently in advance of changes to program eligibility requirements, processes, benefits, or coverage.

The new law makes several changes that impact members directly:

• Starting October 2026, some lawfully present immigrants will no longer qualify for Medicaid including refugees, asylees, parolees, certain survivors of domestic violence or other abuse, and certain victims of human trafficking.
  • The Department of Health Care Policy and Financing (HCPF) estimates this will impact roughly 7,000 current members.
• Starting in January 2027, some Medicaid members above a certain income level will be required to renew their benefits every six months, rather than every 12.
  • HCPF estimates this will impact roughly 377,000 current members, but about 75% of renewals will be made automatically based on information on file or through third-party sources without the need for member engagement.
• Starting January 2027, some Medicaid members will have to show they are working, doing community service, enrolled in school, or participating in other qualifying programs for a minimum number of hours per month to qualify for benefits. Certain populations will be exempt from this requirement. The state may request federal approval to delay this requirement until as late as January 2029.
  • HCPF estimates this will impact roughly 377,000 current members, though many will be exempt from meeting the community engagement requirement due to disability status, parent or caregiver status, pregnant or postpartum status, and more.
• Starting October 2028, members earning above a certain income level will be asked to pay co-payments (specified dollar amounts that must be paid to a provider). Most routine services will be exempted, as will services delivered by certain safety net providers.
  • HCPF estimates this will impact roughly 60,000 current members.

The new law also shifts massive financial costs from the federal government to the states. Colorado will be required to make significant changes to the way the state finances the state share of Medicaid costs. This will require difficult cost-shifting and cost-cutting measures within the state budget.

Yes. This bill affects SNAP eligibility and funding, although the federal government has yet to issue guidance on how and when changes will be implemented. Changes are not anticipated until at least October 2025.

Medicaid members should take extra care to keep their contact information up to date. Colorado Access, the state, and other partners will be in communication regarding upcoming changes that may affect members. The new law will require more frequent requests for information from many Health First Colorado members.