General Assembly Newsletter
Stay up-to-date on what's new at HCPF with this newsletter created specifically for the Colorado General Assembly. 

Please contact Zach Lynkiewicz if you have questions or need help with constituent issues. 
Children's Health Insurance Program Federal Funding Ends September 30, 2017

Federal funding for the Children's Health Insurance Program, known in Colorado as Child Health Plan Plus, or CHP+, ends September 30, 2017, unless Congress acts.

At this time, there are no changes to the CHP+ program. Current law does allow states to continue to spend unspent federal allotments received before October 1, 2017.  Using these funds, we estimate that Colorado will have the opportunity to provide health care for CHP+ members until sometime in the first quarter of calendar year 2018.

If Congress does not act to continue federal funding for CHIP, coverage and services for approximately 74,000 Colorado kids and 700 pregnant women will end sometime in the first quarter of calendar year 2018.  More information about the program, including a breakdown of CHP+ members per Colorado county, is available on our website .

The Department will continue to update health committees and the Joint Budget Committee on congressional action related to the future of CHIP. Updates will also be posted as they become available on the Future of CHP+ web page .
Medicaid Claims Payment System Update

Since March 1, $3.4 billion has been paid to providers and nearly 19,000 claims have been processed in the new claims payment system known as Colorado interChange. We now have 48,481 enrolled providers-that's an additional 4,689 since our Go Live date-and that number is growing each day.

The Department is working with our vendor DXC Technology to resolve remaining issues as quickly as we can. The Department continues to update its Known Issues page and sends targeted communications to providers. The Department will continue to monitor needed system updates and notify providers, stakeholders and other partners as they come up.

Interim Payments for Providers in Financial Distress: Providers are still able to request interim payments in order to receive temporary relief until their claims are processed correctly; these payments are not meant to offset the balance of claims billed to the Department. Struggling providers can call the Health First Colorado Provider Call Center at 1-844-235-2387 and select option 2 to speak with an agent, and then option 4 to inquire about interim payment options.

Finally, the Department presented an update on the payment system to the Joint Budget Committee on June 20, 2017 .  We are sending monthly updates to the Committee and will be posting the updates on our Legislator Resource Center.
Federal Health Care Legislation

The Department closely followed the passage of the American Health Care Act by the House of Representatives and the debate surrounding the Senate's Better Care Reconciliation Act, federal legislation to repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act.  While neither piece of legislation has become law, we will continue to monitor all health care action taken at the federal level that impacts our members.  
HCPF Tightens Opioid Usage Policy

In July, the Department announced that it is tightening its policy on prescribing and dispensing opioid pain medications. It will be implemented in two phases. The first became effective on August 1, 2017 and limits the supply of opioids to Medicaid members who haven't had an opioid prescription in the past 12 months.  The second phase will go into effect on October 1, 2017 and reduces the daily Morphine Milligram Equivalents (MME) for members currently on a pain management regimen, but does not apply to members in palliative or hospice care, nor those being treated for cancer.  Details on both phases of the implementation can be accessed here . 
Accountable Care Collaborative Update

The Department released the formal request for proposals (RFP) for seven Regional Accountable Entities for the next iteration of the Accountable Care Collaborative. The scope of work of the RFP is available for viewing on our Accountable Care Collaborative Phase II website . Bidder proposals were received on July 28, 2017 and the Department is currently evaluating them.

In accordance with State procurement rules , the Department is limited in publicly discussing the RFP until contract awards are formally announced and all protests and appeals are settled. The Department anticipates renewing public discussions regarding the next iteration of the ACC in October, pending the resolution of any protests or appeals.
Educational Infographics & Overviews

The Department has created resources for anyone interested in the basics of some of our programs and services. These resources are educational and are intended to be a high-level overview of important programs. They are available on our website and highlight the following topics:
  • Medicaid Expansion
  • Opioid Use in Colorado
  • Child Health Plan Plus in Colorado
  • Medicaid Buy-In Program for People with Disabilities
  • Medicaid Buy-In Program for Children with Disabilities
  • Long-Term Services and Supports
  • Behavioral Health
HCPF Submits Three New Reports to the General Assembly

HCPF submitted three new reports to the General Assembly over the past quarter. They focus on behavioral therapies for children and the cross-system response pilot program, as well as a site survey request for information compiled in partnership with the Colorado Department of Public Health & Environment.
Recent Articles of Interest
Legislator Resource Center

As a reminder, our Legislator Resource Center  on our website is available to help legislators and legislative staff easily find information. It includes links to reports, fact sheets and overviews of the budget process.  We hope you find them helpful and informative.
Follow HCPF on Social Media

We hope you will follow us on social media to stay informed of news and happenings at the Department.  You can follow us on Facebook , Twitter and LinkedIn . 
Colorado Department of Health Care Policy & Financing  
(303) 866-2993 | 1570 Grant Street, Denver, CO 80203
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