June 8, 2022
The Office of Community Living (OCL) within the Department of Health Care Policy & Financing (Department) has the following information to share below:

Announcement:

  • Colorado ABLE (Achieving a Better Life Experience) Accounts Enhanced with New Benefits and Protections for Coloradans with Disabilities

Memo:

  • Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) Spinal Cord Injury (SCI) Waiver Statewide Expansion and Name Change

Meetings:

  • HB 22-1247 Nursing Facility Reimbursement Recommendations

  • Nursing Facility Advisory Council (NFAC)

  • Webinar for the Disability, Older Adult, & Advocacy Communities - Topic: OCL Updates

  • Updates & Technical Assistance Webinar for LTSS Providers - Topic: OCL Updates
Announcement

Colorado ABLE Accounts Enhanced with New Benefits and Protections for Coloradans with Disabilities

Governor Polis has signed a bill that prevents Medicaid clawbacks, adds new tax benefits, and provides a more inclusive and equitable path for long-term financial independence.

Announcement
Colorado ABLE announced on May 31 that the Achieving A Better Life Experience (ABLE) Savings Accounts bill was signed into law by Governor Jared Polis, creating a more inclusive and equitable path to financial security for Coloradans who experience disabilities. The new law implements significant improvements in these three key areas:

  • Access and ease of use
  • Security of savings, and
  • Additional tax benefits for Coloradans to create sustainable financial independence through long-term savings.

Under the new law which goes into effect Jan. 1, 2023, the state may no longer file certain claims against an ABLE account upon the death of the designated beneficiary. Known as the Medicaid clawback, the previous practice allowed for the capture of funds to reimburse certain Medicaid expenses, and ultimately discouraged participation by placing private savings at risk.

The new law also enhances the tax benefits for Colorado ABLE savings accounts, providing a dollar-for-dollar state tax deduction for contributions made into a Colorado ABLE account.

And, to broaden access and ease of use, a person other than the individual with a disability can now open and administer an ABLE account on behalf of a person with disabilities.

Colorado’s college savings experts, CollegeInvest, administers the Colorado ABLE program.

The Colorado ABLE plan offers a wide range of investment options from aggressive plan seeking higher returns to conservative investments that place capital preservation over growth, all managed by Ascensus. A partnership with Fifth Third Bank also offers an integrated checking and debit account option providing the convenience of paying for qualified expenses with a debit card. For detailed information about the program, please visit www.coloradoable.org.

About Colorado ABLE
Colorado ABLE (Achieving a Better Life Experience) is Colorado’s savings program for people living with disabilities. Colorado ABLE is a not-for-profit agency within the Colorado Department of High Education. It receives no taxpayer funding. Colorado ABLE provides a diverse menu of tax-advantaged savings plans to help persons with disabilities save for their futures and promote independence, while protecting their eligibility for public assistance programs. Earnings on Colorado ABLE savings accounts are federally tax-free when used for qualified disability expenses. For more information about Colorado ABLE, call 1-888-609-3468, or visit the Colorado ABLE website.
Memo

Please find a new memo and related documents listed below. This memo is also on the Department's 2022 Memo Series Communication webpage. Viewing the Memo Series webpage will show other memos of interest.

  • Informational Memo - HCBS Spinal Cord Injury Waiver Expansion and Name Change (June 3, 2022): The purpose of this Informational Memo is to inform members, CMAs, providers, and stakeholders of the statewide expansion of the HCBS Spinal Cord Injury Waiver (HCBS-SCI Waiver) to serve participants living with a spinal cord injury, multiple sclerosis, brain injury, spina bifida, muscular dystrophy, or cerebral palsy with the inability of independent ambulation.



Meetings

Please find meeting announcements listed below. Other meeting information is on the OCL Stakeholder Engagement webpage.

HB 22-1247 Nursing Facility Reimbursement Recommendations
 
The purpose of this meeting is to obtain broad Stakeholder feedback for potential alterations to the Nursing Facility Reimbursement structure (mandated by HB 22-1247).

The Department seeks input from stakeholders who represent nursing facilities in Colorado on a set of topics ranging from outcome-based payments, use of revenue from provider fees, incentives for new technology and safety for nursing facility residents, and rural facilities sustainability.

Interested stakeholders will include members, families, advocates, nursing facilities and older adult stakeholders.

The meeting will be held:
Wednesday, June 15, 2022
1-3 p.m. MT


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NFAC
The NFAC focuses on Medicaid-related developments related to Nursing Facility reimbursement and benefits. This includes, but is not limited to, procedural reviews, benefit interactions, policy clarifications, and cyclical business operations. The NFAC meets on the third Wednesday of the month. All interested stakeholders are welcome.

The next meeting will be held:
Wednesday, June 15, 2022
3-4:30 p.m. MT
Join by Phone:
1-315-992-6052, PIN: 258 504 157 #

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Webinar for the Disability, Older Adult, & Advocacy Communities
Topic: OCL Updates

An update for members, family members, and advocates on key projects within the OCL. Interested stakeholders include advocates, caregivers, families, long-term services and supports (LTSS) stakeholders, members, older adult stakeholders.

Webinar documents will be posted on the OCL webinar page.

The next meeting will be held:
Thursday, June 16, 2022
9:30-10:30 a.m. MT
 
Meeting ID: 993 1700 7314, Passcode: 396389

Join by Phone:
(Toll-free) 1-877-853-5257

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Updates & Technical Assistance Webinar for LTSS Providers
Topic: OCL Updates

An update for LTSS providers about key projects within the Office of Community Living and responses to recent frequently asked questions. Audience includes case management agencies (CMAs), community centered boards (CCBs), HCBS providers, nursing facilities, providers, and single entry point (SEP) agencies.

Webinar documents will be posted on the OCL webinar page.

The next meeting will be held:
Thursday, June 16, 2022
3:30-4:30 p.m. MT

Meeting ID: 993 1700 7314, Passcode: 396389

Join by Phone:
(Toll-free) 1-877-853-5257

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Reasonable accommodations will be provided upon request for persons with disabilities. 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 John Barry at 303-866-3173 or John.R.Barry@state.co.us or the 504/ADA Coordinator at hcpf504ada@state.co.us at least one week prior to the meeting to make arrangements.
Register for HCPF Annual Stakeholder Webinar

Please register to join Department leaders for a virtual webinar on July 19 from 9-11 a.m. MT. This event will share what we accomplished together last year, address priorities for next fiscal year, and invite stakeholder feedback and comments.