The Health Care Policy and Financing (HCPF) enacted Medicaid reimbursement reductions in 2026, affecting pharmacies through a combination of pharmacy-specific payment changes and broader provider funding cuts. Effective April 1, 2026, Colorado Medicaid implemented a State Plan Amendment that incorporated Maximum Allowable Cost (MAC) pricing into its drug reimbursement methodology and reduced professional dispensing fees for the highest-volume pharmacies, lowering reimbursement for many prescriptions. Effective July 1, 2026, Colorado enacted an additional 2% across-the-board Medicaid provider rate reduction as part of budget-balancing measures, but pharmacies were exempt from this July cut under HCPF guidance.
Also in Colorado, the Commission on Medicaid wants to hear from people who use, provide, pay for or work in the Medicaid program. The Commission will deliver recommendations to the General Assembly and the Governor in December, and this survey is one of the main ways to provide public input.
- Full survey — most questions are optional, and responses are anonymous.
- Brief form
Also in Colorado, the Board of Pharmacy posted the Summer 2026 newsletter.
Finally in Colorado, the Department of Health Care Policy & Financing (HCPF) FY 2026-2027 Performance Plan outlines the agency’s strategic goals and performance measures while highlighting recent progress in reducing certain Medicaid costs, simplifying member renewals and increasing timely prenatal care. HCPF is streamlining its priorities to improve access to care, enhance health care quality, advance programming and operational innovation, modernize eligibility systems, strengthen program integrity and improve partnerships with stakeholders.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.