PROVIDER RESOURCES

Colorado Department of Health Care Policy & Financing

Myers & Stauffer serves as a contractor for the Colorado Department of Health Care Policy & Financing. This webpage serves as a centralized resource for Colorado Medicaid-related program documentation and the average acquisition cost (AAC) list for drugs based on drug acquisition cost. As new AAC rates are developed, rates prior to implementation will be posted on this page and updated weekly to include current and historical pricing by product for up to an 18-month period.

Quick Actions & Portal Access

Submit Average Acquisition Cost Rate Review Request

Access Colorado Long Term Care Online Portal

Access Pharmacy Resource Portal

Access Colorado CPAS Collaboration, Performance, and Analytics System Portal

Access Disproportionate Share Hospital Payment Adjustment Portal

Access Colorado Hospital Information Systems Portal

Average Acquisition Cost Information

Price Listings

Downloadable Rate Review Form

Relevant Information & Helpful Links

Contact information

Pharmacy Help Desk

Phone: 800-591-1183
Email: copharmacy@mslc.com

Nursing Facility Cost Report

Phone: 303-694-3605
Email: infosubmit@mslc.com

Web Portal

Phone: 800-374-6858
Email: alcr@mslc.com

Frequently Asked Questions

In order to maintain an AAC program with reimbursement that reflects current pharmaceutical market conditions, the AAC rate schedule is based on the actual acquisition costs of Medicaid pharmacy providers. The calculated rates are designed to reimburse ingredient costs at a rate that is reflective of the average costs that Colorado pharmacy providers are experiencing.

The AAC rate schedule is based on Medicaid pharmacy providers’ actual experiences purchasing selected drug products. Providers who receive requests for drug purchase information are strongly encouraged by the State to provide the requested information to insure that the established AAC rates fully consider providers' cost experience in the marketplace.

For drug purchases made during the identified time period requested by CO DHCPF, providers can simply retrieve the invoices reflecting their purchases, photocopy the records, then mail the copies to Myers & Stauffer. A provider can also provide this data via email in an electronic format. Electronic files can be accepted in Excel, PDF, and text file format. A provider may request that its wholesaler electronically send this information to Myers & Stauffer. Informational letters that accompany the survey request will have more detailed submission information.

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FieldData TableLength
Pharmacy_IDText15 characters, variable length
Pharmacy_NameText100 characters, variable length
Invoice_DateDate10 characters (mm/dd/yyyy)
NDC_CODEText11 characters, fixed length
Item_NumberText10 characters, variable length
Item_DescriptionText100 characters, variable length
Package_SizeText75 characters, variable length
Net_QuantityIntegerWhole number (15 digits, no chemicals)
Unit_Of_MeasureText25 characters, variable length
Unit_CostDecimal000000000000000.00000 (15 digits, 5 decimal places)
Net_Extended_CostDecimal000000000000000.00000 (15 digits, 5 decimal places)

CO DHCPF will use drug purchase information submitted by pharmacies for the purpose of establishing, evaluating, maintaining, and updating AAC rates. CO DHCPF has contracted with the firm of Myers & Stauffer to assist in developing and maintaining the AAC program. Pharmacies are encouraged to submit copies of purchase information, rather than originals as information submitted will not be returned.

All pharmacy providers enrolled in the Colorado Medicaid program are eligible for random selection to provide drug purchase information.

All pharmacy providers enrolled in the Colorado Medicaid program are eligible for selection to provide drug purchase information. A random sample of pharmacies are selected to participate in acquisition cost studies on a monthly basis. We anticipate a frequency of no more than once per year.

All pharmacy providers enrolled in the Colorado Medicaid program are eligible for selection to provide drug purchase information. When a request is received for drug purchase information, the time frame of the data requested will be for the most recent 30 day period. If that drug purchase information for the most recent 30 day period is not readily available, then the next most recent 30 day period will be acceptable.

Baseline AAC rates will be calculated monthly based on invoice costs submitted by Colorado Medicaid pharmacies. The enhanced professional dispensing fee for clotting factor drugs shall be $0.03 per unit and will be included in the calculated AAC rates. To respond to changes in the marketplace, AAC rates will also be reviewed weekly for published pricing changes and daily when inquiries are received through the pharmacy help desk. When contacting the pharmacy help desk, you will be asked to provide information regarding your request. Information should include, but not be limited to drug purchase summaries, invoices, remittance advices, and other such documentation. In the absence of sufficient information to assess concerns about AAC rates or other aspects of the AAC program, provider requests cannot be fully considered. Providers initiating requests for review of AAC rates or other issues may be contacted to request supporting documentation or other information.

AACs are based on the average acquisition cost of pharmacy providers and therefore may sometimes be below the costs experienced by individual providers. Adjustments will be made to the AAC rate when the overall average has increased. If your acquisition costs have increased, you may contact Myers and Stauffer’s Colorado pharmacy help desk at 800-591-1183 to report your concerns and request a rate review. AAC rates will be adjusted when the overall average cost of a drug has increased. AAC rates will not be eligible for adjustment due to an individual provider’s inability to purchase the drug below the AAC if the overall average has not changed.

The AAC rate listing will be updated weekly.

We welcome provider's questions, comments, and input regarding the AAC program. To share general comments or to request information regarding the AAC rates, you may contact the Myers and Stauffer Pharmacy Unit.

Providers are encouraged to contact the Myers and Stauffer Pharmacy Unit to discuss: 
- Changes in acquisition cost of a drug.
- Changes in product availability.
- Questions regarding AAC rates.
- Questions concerning drugs on the AAC rate list.
- How to obtain a copy of the AAC rate list.
- Other questions, comments, or concerns.


Parties who wish to comment or discuss questions, comments, or concerns about the AAC program may contact Myers & Stauffer weekdays between 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. (Central Time).


Myers and Stauffer LC
Pharmacy Unit
800 East 96th Street, Suite 200
Indianapolis, IN 46240


Phone:  800-591-1183
Fax:  317.571.8481
Email: copharmacy@mslc.com

Providers who didn’t respond to the Colorado Medicaid Claims Volume survey will default to the lowest dispensing fee tier.

Colorado Medicaid will request claims volume numbers from providers annually. Dispensing fees set at those numbers will remain until the next year’s survey of claim’s volume.

Information and materials on the site may not be published or used except as provided or as otherwise noted on the site without the written permission of the state of Colorado, the Colorado Medicaid Agency, and/or Myers & Stauffer.