MEAC
 Members who have completed two years on the Member Experience Advisory Council (MEAC) may apply to participate as liaisons between the MEAC and the Medical Care Advisory Committee (MCAC). This provides MEAC alumni with a natural next level of engagement and an opportunity to work alongside health care professionals to advise the Department on topics they decide upon related to:

  • additions and changes to services,
  • coordination of care,
  • quality of services,
  • eligibility, enrollment and renewal processes,
  • member and provider communications,
  • cultural competency, language access, health equity and disparities and biases in the program,
  • access to services, and
  • other issues that impact the delivery or outcomes of health and medical services.

MEAC Alumni Council Meetings

Alumni Council members spend between 4 hours and 7 hours on council activities each month. They attend the monthly MEAC meeting, with extra time scheduled after this meeting for the MEAC alumni to discuss feedback and prepare for the quarterly MCAC meetings. MEAC Alumni Council members also attend the quarterly MCAC meeting on a rotating basis.

  • MEAC Meetings: Second Tuesday of each month. Three hour meeting beginning at 9 a.m.
  • MEAC Alumni Council Meetings: Second Tuesday of each month. One or two hour meeting beginning at 1 p.m.
  • MCAC Meetings: Quarterly meetings beginning in September 2025. Time TBD.

MEAC Alumni Council Meeting Summaries

MEAC Alumni Council Membership

Three MEAC Alumni are appointed by the Chief Customer Officer to serve on the council for a 1-year term with the option to extend the term for an additional 2 years. Selected members will:

  • Be a current Health First Colorado/CHP+ member, family member or caregiver
  • Have completed a 2-year term on the State Member Experience Advisory Council (MEAC)
  • Have the time and ability to attend the required meetings
  • Have an interest in advocating for positive change for all members.

If you are interested in becoming a MEAC Alumni Council member, please complete the application located on the MEAC google site or contact thessica.covato@state.co.us

MEAC Alumni Council Bylaws

MEAC Alumni Council Members

Samantha Fields

Samantha Fields

I joined the MEAC Alumni Council because I’ve seen how powerful it is when Medicaid members are truly heard. As someone living with multiple chronic and rare illnesses, I’ve used my experience to advocate for improvements in access, equity, and member experience across Colorado. During my time with MEAC, I helped shape conversations around food and health, accessibility, and transportation—issues that directly affect members’ ability to live safely and independently.

I keep coming back because MEAC created space for my voice when I felt invisible, and I want to help make sure others get that same opportunity. I’ve continued this work as the Team Lead for Colorado Blueprint to End Hunger’s Connecting Food and Health Project Team that allowed me to work directly with the RAEs.

My hope is that the MEAC Alumni group grows into a strong, collaborative network that champions real policy change, supports each other’s advocacy, and helps lift new voices so we’re never just reacting to systems—we’re helping build them.

MEAC Alumni Council Member 2

Member of the Health First Colorado Buy-In Program for Working Adults with Disabilities

MEAC Alumni Council Member 3

Caregiver of children on the Health First Colorado Buy-In Program for Children with Disabilities