Effective June 27, 2016, member notices generated by the Colorado Benefits Management System (CBMS) will be updated to replace references to “Medicaid” and “Colorado Medicaid” with the new name, “Health First Colorado (Colorado’s Medicaid Program).”
The Department of Health Care Policy & Financing will be publicly announcing Health First Colorado (Colorado’s Medicaid Program) as the new name for Medicaid later this summer, 2016 (specific date TBD).
No changes to member eligibility, coverage, benefits or choice of providers associated with the name change.
Why is Medicaid changing its name?
- Reduce confusion with Medicare.
- Reduce stigma associated with the name Medicaid and public assistance.
- Reflects the significant changes that have been made to modernize Colorado’s Medicaid program to engage members, improve the quality and coordination of care and make more efficient use of taxpayer dollars.