The Hop will drop you off at 9th and Arapahoe. Take the N, which goes to Nederland, and get off at Settlers Park Drop off.
By the Whole Connection team · Clinically reviewed by Phillip Horner, LCSW, CGP · Published July 18, 2026
Short answer: Colorado Medicaid (Health First Colorado) is adding work requirements and 6-month renewals starting January 2027, with notice letters arriving from August 2026. Your therapy continues as long as your coverage stays active — the key is to keep your contact info current and respond to your renewal mail.
If you get your health coverage through Health First Colorado (Colorado’s Medicaid program) and you see a therapist, you may have heard that some things are changing in 2026 and 2027. Take a breath—most of this is manageable, and the single most important step is simple: keep your contact information current and open your mail. Below, we walk through what’s happening in plain language, and how we at Whole Connection can help you stay in care.
Under the federal law known as H.R. 1, Health First Colorado is adding new rules for many adults ages 19–64. Starting January 1, 2027, some members will need to meet work or activity requirements, and the expansion population will renew coverage every six months instead of once a year. Notification letters begin arriving in August 2026.
Official notification letters are expected to start going out in August 2026. These letters will explain whether the new rules apply to you and what, if anything, you need to do. This is exactly why it matters to keep your mailing address, phone, and email up to date—so you don’t miss important notices.
Beginning January 1, 2027, many adults 19–64 will need to complete about 80 hours per month of qualifying activity—work, school, or volunteering—or earn roughly $580 per month. Not everyone is affected, and several exemptions apply. Your letter and your county office can tell you exactly how this applies to your situation.
Some members won’t need to meet these requirements. Exemptions include parents and caregivers of children age 13 and under, and caregivers of people with disabilities. Other exemptions may also apply. If you think you should be exempt, don’t assume—check your notice and confirm your status with your county or at healthfirstcolorado.gov.
Starting January 2027, the Medicaid expansion population will renew coverage every six months rather than annually. That means you’ll need to confirm your eligibility twice a year instead of once. It’s an extra checkpoint, but it’s straightforward as long as you respond to your renewal mail on time and keep your details current.
Not automatically. These changes affect your Medicaid eligibility, not therapy itself. As long as your Health First Colorado coverage stays active, you can keep seeing your therapist at Whole Connection. The biggest risk isn’t the rules—it’s missing a letter or renewal deadline, which is completely avoidable.
Three things protect your coverage: keep your address, phone, and email current with the state; open and respond to every piece of Medicaid mail; and complete your renewal on time. If a work requirement applies, track your qualifying hours or confirm your exemption. When in doubt, verify your status at healthfirstcolorado.gov or call your county office.
You don’t need to act on the 2027 rules today, but you can get ready. Log in or call to confirm your contact information is correct. Watch for a notice starting August 2026. If you’re unsure whether the changes apply to you, check healthfirstcolorado.gov or contact your county. A little preparation now prevents stress later.
On July 1, 2025, the Accountable Care Collaborative (ACC) entered Phase III, which consolidated the Regional Accountable Entities into four regions. For most members this is a behind-the-scenes administrative change. Your care continues—just make sure your assigned region and primary care information are up to date in your account.
We accept Health First Colorado, and we’re committed to keeping you in care through these transitions. As long as your coverage is active, our team can keep seeing you. If you get a letter you don’t understand or you’re worried about a deadline, reach out—we’ll help you figure out where to go and who to call. Learn more about therapy with Health First Colorado at Whole Connection, or meet our team. Please note we can’t determine your eligibility or guarantee coverage—only the state can—but we can support you in staying connected to care.
If you’re a current client, keep your contact information current and open your Medicaid mail—that’s the best thing you can do this year. If you’re looking for a therapist who accepts Health First Colorado, we’d love to hear from you. Call us at (720) 442-0946 or explore Medicaid therapy at Whole Connection. To check your official coverage status anytime, visit healthfirstcolorado.gov or call your county office.
Want the complete picture? Read our Colorado Medicaid Therapy Guide — how the RAEs work, what it costs, free rides to appointments, and the 2026–2027 changes.
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