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Addressing the Health-Related Social Needs (HRSN) of Health First Colorado and CHP+ Members

The Department of Health Care Policy & Financing (HCPF) is actively working to better support the health-related social needs (HRSN) of Health First Colorado (Colorado's Medicaid program) and Child Health Plan Plus (CHP+) members, such as housing instability and food security, in an effort to recognize that a member’s health depends on more than health care alone. There is growing interest in supporting individuals' HRSN from other Colorado state agencies, community partners and our federal partners.

Goals of HRSN Efforts

  • Remove barriers that prevent people from accessing timely, quality care.
  • Understand and support members' HRSN.
  • Design HRSN service expansions in partnership with stakeholders.
  • Be a national leader in Medicaid and Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) HRSN policy.

What are Health-Related Social Needs?

Health-related social needs (HRSN) describe social and economic factors impacting a person's overall health and well-being. For example, this might include a person's ability to access stable housing or nutritious food. Extensive research has indicated these factors can account for as much as 50% of health outcomes. 

HRSN are non-medical factors that influence a person’s health and well-being. Other programs use the term social determinants of health (SDOH) which is closely related. Consequences of unmet HRSN include lapses in coverage and access to care, high medical costs, and perpetuated health inequities. As a result, individuals may experience poor health outcomes and health disparities, which can be perpetuated across entire communities or generations. 

In recognition of the tie between social needs and health, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid services (CMS) created new opportunities for states to use Medicaid authority to expand services that meet members’ HRSN. 

Examples of Health-related Social Needs include:

  • Nutritious and available food
  • Consistent Utilities
  • Economic Security
  • Affordable and Safe Housing
  • Reliable and Convenient Transportation
  • Freedom from Violence and Discrimination
  • Health Care Availability

Current HRSN Efforts and Covered Benefits

HCPF has ongoing and emerging initiatives to address the HRSN of Health First Colorado and CHP+ members. HCPF is committed to supporting members by removing barriers to care and expanding access to services that promote members’ health and well-being. 

Health First Colorado-covered benefits addressing HRSN

Additional HCPF and partner efforts addressing HRSN

Expanding HRSN Services and Supports

Legislative Directives to Explore Expanding HRSN through Feasibility Studies

HCPF has been directed through legislation to investigate and expand HRSN services that research demonstrates have the greatest impact on health and wellbeing. Through feasibility studies and stakeholder engagement, HCPF explored areas of focus, including housing, nutrition, transportation, utilities, and/or interpersonal violence. Initially, HCPF found housing and nutrition expansions to be most feasible, and is pursuing expansions through waiver programs and other methods.

Colorado House Bill 23-1300 “Continuous Eligibility Medical Coverage” (HB23-1300)

HCPF partnered with the Colorado Health Institute, a nonpartisan research organization, to study the feasibility of expanding health-related social needs (HRSN) services through Colorado’s Medicaid program as directed by HB23-1300. The report examines the costs and benefits of potential expansions related to continuous coverage for Medicaid populations, as well as the need, cost considerations, and evidence for HRSN services related to housing, food and nutrition, extreme weather, and social and community support. The report also identifies the populations for whom these services are most impactful, and offers recommendations prioritized through conversations with Health First Colorado members, service and health care providers, advocates, subject matter experts, and with our peers in other state Medicaid programs. This study will serve as an important future resource to guide HCPF’s decision making in expanding HRSN service coverage. Read the study.

February 11, 2026 Health-Related Social Needs Community Webinar on the Final HB23-1300 Feasibility Report

HCPF invites you to a webinar on Wednesday, Feb. 11, from 10 to 11 a.m., to hear the results of the HB23-1300 feasibility study. The webinar will be held in English, Spanish, and ASL.

Register in advance or at the start of the webinar. If you are unable to attend, the meeting recording will be posted to this website after the meeting.    

Meeting Accommodation and Language Access Notice  

Auxiliary aids and services for individuals with disabilities and language services for individuals whose first language is not English may be provided upon request. Please notify the meeting organizer Ryan Lazo at ryan.lazo@state.co.us, or the Civil Rights Officer at hcpf504ada@state.co.us, at least one week prior to the meeting to make arrangements. 

Las ayudas y servicios auxiliares para individuos con discapacidades y servicios de idiomas para individuos cuyo idioma materno no sea inglés pueden estar disponibles por solicitud. Comuníquese con organizador de reuniones Ryan Lazo a ryan.lazo@state.co.us, o con el oficial de derechos civiles a hcpf504ada@state.co.us, al menos una semana antes de la reunión para hacer los arreglos necesarios. 

House Bill 23-1300 Feasibility Study Public Meetings

HCPF held virtual stakeholder meetings with the Colorado Health Institute (CHI) to share updates and hear from stakeholders regarding the HB23-1300 feasibility study. 

August 26, 2025 |Summary of Study Learning So Far

In this meeting, stakeholders were provided with research findings that were collected on four high-impact services: housing, nutrition, extreme weather preparation and mitigation, and social and community supports. In addition, the findings highlighted the identified priority populations for these services and potential barriers to implementing these services.

July 22, 2025 | Nutrition and Social Needs

In this meeting, stakeholders provided input on high-impact services to address nutrition and social needs related to HRSNs, identified priority populations for these services, and shared potential barriers to implementing these services.

June 24, 2025 | House Bill 23-1300 Feasibility Study: Housing and Extreme Weather

HCPF held a stakeholder meeting to provide updates on House Bill 23-1300. In this meeting, stakeholders provided input on high-impact services to address housing and extreme weather-related HRSNs, identified priority populations for these services, and shared potential barriers to implementing these services.

Colorado House Bill 24-1322 “Medicaid Coverage Housing & Nutrition Services

HCPF authored the legislatively directed HB24-1322 Feasibility Study in partnership with the non partisan research organization, Public Consulting Group. Through this work, HCPF sought federal approval to provide HRSN services via the 1115 “Comprehensive Care for Colorado” waiver demonstration HRSN amendment. Read the study.

On December 3, 2024 HCPF hosted an informational webinar on the HB24-1322 feasibility study where HCPF staff summarized the study and answered questions. 

Health Related Social Needs 1115 Waiver Demonstration Amendment

Authorized by HB 24-1322, HCPF expects to submit an HRSN 1115 amendment to CMS in August. This timeline is significantly expedited compared to previously anticipated timelines, including that set out by HB 23-1300 and HB 24-1322. In coordination with the Governor’s Office, HCPF will pursue this expedited plan in order to capitalize on unprecedented support by CMS to expand certain housing and nutrition related services. CMS has strongly encouraged states to apply, and HCPF is well-positioned to put forth an amendment application sooner than anticipated. 

The August amendment, however, will not preclude HCPF from expanding HRSN services through future amendments based on stakeholder feedback and the information learned through the two required feasibility studies. Learn more about Colorado’s 1115 Substance Use Disorder Demonstration Waiver and the amendment work currently in progress on our 1115 waiver webpage.

Past Webinars

September 10, 2025 | Medically Tailored Meals and Other Benefit Details

August 13, 2025 | Nutrition Counseling/Education & Pantry Stocking or Home-delivered Meals

May 29, 2025 | Comprehensive Care for Colorado, the Medicaid 1115 demonstration waiver

HCPF hosted an informational webinar on Comprehensive Care for Colorado, the Medicaid 1115 demonstration waiver that includes several benefits including HRSN such as housing and nutrition as well as services for substance use disorders and for those who are leaving incarceration from a state facility.

January 16, 2025 | Health-Related Social Needs 1115 Waiver Amendment Webinar

HCPF hosted the HRSN 1115 Waiver Amendment webinar. HCPF staff provided updates about the supporting budget amendment and legislation as well as the overall approach to the first two years of the work for the HRSN waiver amendment. 

  • Presentation - English
  • Presentation - Spanish
  • Recording - English
  • Recording - Spanish. Due to technical difficulties, the first four minutes have been transcribed into a separate Spanish document. 

August 28, 2024 | Health Related Social Needs Community Webinar
HCPF held an informational webinar overviewing the HRSN work that HCPF staff are doing. Please find materials from this meeting below:

March 11, 2024 | Health Related Social Needs Community Webinar
HCPF held an initial stakeholder event on March 11 to highlight existing and upcoming initiatives to expand, enhance, or pursue new HRSN services. Please find materials from this meeting below:

Resources

Colorado Resources

Federal Guidance

National Policy Overview Resources 

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