The Department of Health Care Policy and Financing (HCPF) administers Health First Colorado (Colorado’s Medicaid program), Child Health Plan Plus (CHP+) and other health care programs for Coloradans who qualify. Created in 2011, the Accountable Care Collaborative (ACC) is the primary delivery system for Health First Colorado. Regional Accountable Entities (RAEs or, in member communications, regional organizations) are responsible for promoting member health and well-being by administering the capitated behavioral health benefit, establishing and supporting networks of providers and coordinating medical and community-based services for members in their region.
Current contracts with the RAEs, referred to as Phase II, end on June 30, 2025. New contracts, ACC Phase III, will launch July 1, 2025. As a result, some members may have a new regional organization and/or primary care provider (PCP).
On this webpage, you’ll find:
- ACC Phase III Member Communications Toolkit
- Member Contact List – Who to go to, When
- Member Terminology
- ACC Phase III Frequently Asked Questions for Members
ACC Phase III Member Communications Toolkit
The following resources have been prepared to support advocates, community-based organizations and health care providers to communicate about upcoming changes for ACC Phase III. The goal is to increase awareness of the RAEs and help members navigate any changes without disruption to their care. Check back frequently as we continue to add additional resources.
- ACC Phase III Member Communications Toolkit - Provides information and consistent talking points about upcoming changes for members
Additional resources:
- Health First Colorado Regional Organizations (Note: information on this page will be updated beginning July 1, 2025.)
- Health First Colorado General Regional Organizations FAQs
We welcome feedback on these materials. If you have ideas for other resources that would be helpful for members, or if there are other FAQs we should add, please use this form*.
*Note: This form is just to collect requests or ideas for additional information that should be posted. We will not collect any contact information, so individual questions will not be answered here.
Member Contact List – Who to go to, When
HCPF has developed the following list of common contacts members may need. Please use this list when directing members.
| FOR WHAT | WHO | HOW |
|---|---|---|
| A member needs help finding a provider or with coordinating their care. | Regional organization or managed care health plan | Colorado Access 800-511-5010 Colorado Community Health Alliance 855-627-4685 Elevate (Denver Health) Medicaid Choice 855-281-2418 Northeast Health Partners 800-541-6870 Rocky Mountain Health Plans and PRIME 800-421-6204 |
| A member has questions about their benefits and services. | Regional organization/managed care health plan, or Health First Colorado Member Contact Center | Regional Organization info above, or Toll Free: 800-221-3943 | State Relay: 711 |
| A member wants to change their primary care provider | Health First Colorado Enrollment | Toll Free: 888-367-6557 | State Relay: 711 |
Member Terminology
Member communications should be consistent and written in plain language. HCPF continues to prioritize plain language for all member correspondence and communications, even those sent by contractors and partners. HCPF has compiled the following guidance for member communications.
| USE THIS | NOT THIS |
|---|---|
| Qualify | Eligible/Eligibility |
| Primary care provider (PCP) | Primary care medical provider (PCMP) |
| Regional organization (lower case, never an acronym) | Regional Accountable Entity, RAE |
| Health First Colorado Enrollment | Health First Colorado Enrollment Broker, Health Colorado |
| Health First Colorado | Medicaid, Accountable Care Collaborative, ACC |
| Member | Client, beneficiary, enrollee |
| Managed care health plan | Managed Care Organization (MCO) |
FAQ: ACC Phase III Related Changes
I got a letter from a regional organization. What is that?
- Every Health First Colorado (Colorado’s Medicaid program) member is part of a regional organization. You either have Rocky Mountain Health Plans, Northeast Health Partners, Colorado Community Health Alliance, or Colorado Access as your regional organization.
- You can find your regional organization on your enrollment letter, on the back of your member ID card or in the Health First Colorado mobile app. You can also call Health First Colorado Enrollment from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday to Friday at 303-839-2120 or 888-367-6557 (State Relay: 711). The call is free.
- Regional organizations can help you find providers and access your Health First Colorado benefits and services.
- These organizations are also known as Regional Accountable Entities (RAEs).
- More information about regional organizations is available on the Health First Colorado website.
What changes are happening?
- Beginning July 1, 2025, some members may have a new regional organization. You may also be assigned to a new primary care provider when your regional organization changes, but you can choose to see any Health First Colorado primary care provider, including your previous primary care provider.
- If your regional organization or primary care provider are changing, you will receive a letter in the mail with more information. If you have any questions about this change, you can contact your new regional organization.
- Your Health First Colorado benefits and services are not changing.
- If you want to continue seeing your previous primary care provider, you do not need to do anything. You can go to any existing appointments you have with your previous primary care provider when the transition happens and continue making appointments as you usually would.
- If you want to learn more about these changes or have any questions about Health First Colorado, visit the Health First Colorado website or the ACC Phase III website.
Why are these changes happening?
- Changes to regional organizations and PCPs are for regular administrative updates to Health First Colorado.
- Your Health First Colorado benefits and services are not changing.
How do I know if my regional organization is changing?
- If your regional organization is changing, you will get a letter by mail in June or July. The change will be effective July 1, 2025, but it will not impact your Health First Colorado coverage.
- You can confirm who your regional organization is at any time by logging into the Health First Colorado app. If your regional organization changes, your new organization will be listed in the app starting July 1, 2025.
What do I do if I have a new PCP?
- You can set up an appointment with your new primary care provider by contacting them with the information provided in your letter.
- The new primary care provider listed on your letter is the one our records show you see most often. However, you can change your primary care provider at any time. Go to enroll.healthfirstcolorado.com or call Health First Colorado Enrollment from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday to Friday at 303-839-2120 or 888-367-6557 (State Relay: 711). The call is free.
- You can see any Health First Colorado physical health provider, not just your assigned primary care provider.
- If you want to continue seeing your previous primary care provider, you do not need to do anything. You can go to any existing appointments you have with your previous primary care provider when the transition happens and continue making appointments as you usually would.
- If you need help finding a provider, contact your regional organization or visit their website to find a provider near you.
How do these changes affect my Health First Colorado renewal process?
- These changes have no impact on your Health First Colorado renewal process.
- You should proceed with your annual renewal as usual. More information on the renewal process is on the Health First Colorado website.
- You may receive information by mail about changes to your regional organization and information about your renewal during the same time period. All this information is important. Please review all letters we send you. Please return renewal paperwork by the deadline in the renewal letter.
What if I see a mental health or substance use disorder provider?
- Most members can continue to see their mental health and substance use disorder providers as usual.
- Regional organizations contract with their own networks of mental health and substance use disorder providers. Please contact your new regional organization for information about how to continue your care with a provider or for help finding a new provider.
If I am already working with a care coordinator from my regional organization, how can I continue to work with one?
- All regional organizations provide care coordination.
- Prior to July 1, 2025, you can contact your current care coordinator to ask about how to get connected with a care coordinator at your new regional organization.
- After July 1, 2025, you can use the Health First Colorado app or contact the enrollment broker to learn how to contact your new regional organization. Your new regional organization can help assure you have ongoing care coordination.