No. Federal rules and timelines for SNAP and Medicaid work requirements are different, so renewal dates between the programs will not be coordinated. While there may be times when they overlap, members should not expect SNAP and Health First Colorado renewals to align.
Will there be members who do not need to comply with work requirements but who still need to renew every 6 months?
Yes, a member can be exempt from work requirements but still need to renew every 6 months.
For example, an adult who qualifies for Medicaid and has a child 13 or younger does not have to comply with work requirements, but they may have to renew every 6 months.
If a member’s renewal is due toward the end of 2026, will their next renewal be for a year or for 6 months?
Members whose renewal is completed and approved through December 31, 2026, will receive a 12-month renewal period. They will not be moved to a 6-month renewal period solely because of the 6-month renewal transition.
For example, if a member has a renewal completed by December 31, 2026, they will continue their 12-month renewal schedule into 2027.
However, a member may move to a 6-month renewal period after January 1, 2027, if they report a change that affects how they qualify for health coverage.
Will members of the same household have different renewal dates and renewal timelines?
Yes. Members in the same household may have different renewal dates because Health First Colorado checks whether someone qualifies on an individual basis. While renewal dates may sometimes align, it is possible for members in the same household to have different renewal schedules.
Will all Health First Colorado members need to renew their health coverage every 6 months?
Starting January 1, 2027, some adults ages 19 to 64 will need to renew every 6 months. If this rule applies to you, Health First Colorado (Colorado’s Medicaid program) will send a letter to you.
Most members will still renew every 12 months, including:
- Children 18 and younger
- Adults age 65 and older
- Pregnant members and members who were pregnant in the last 12 months
- Parents or caretaker relatives whose income is 68% FPL or less
- Members who receive home and community-based services (HCBS) waivers or other long-term services and supports (LTSS) programs
- Members in Medicaid buy-in programs
- Members who qualify based on blindness or disability
- Members who have Medicare
- Former foster care youth through age 26
- Members who are American Indian or Alaska Native, including Indian, Urban Indian, and California Indian members
If people in the same household have Medicaid, they may not all have the same renewal date.
Will postpartum women have to renew at 6 months? What about newborns?
No. Members are covered for 12 months after a pregnancy ends. Once newborns are added to the case, they are covered for 12 months.
Will children still have the 12-month continuous enrollment? What about the 2-year continuous enrollment waiver for children ages 0 to 3? Has that/will that be removed? If so, when?
Children 18 and younger will have 12 months of continuous coverage once approved.
In July 2025, Health First Colorado received a letter from U.S. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) ending 2-year continuous coverage for children ages 0 to3.
Children 0 to 3 will have 12 months of continuous coverage once approved.
Does the 6-month renewal apply to people who are enrolled in long-term services and supports (LTSS) or who are in buy-in programs?
No. Members enrolled in long-term services and supports (LTSS), Medicaid buy-in programs or home and community-based services (HCBS) waivers will continue with a 12-month renewal cycle.
Can a family ask to have their renewals all at the same time?
No. Families cannot ask to have their renewals all at the same time, that is, synchronized. Renewals are based on each person, so members in the same household may have different renewal dates. Renewal dates may sometimes align when member renewal periods overlap or when coverage can be renewed for all members at ex parte.
When will Health First Colorado members who were renewed for 12 months in 2026 need to complete their renewal?
If health coverage was approved for a full 12-month period before January 2027, the renewal date will remain the same.
For example, if your health coverage was renewed in May 2026, then your next renewal date will be May 2027. However, if a member reports a change or there is an update that affects a member’s eligibility, the renewal date may change.