Date: 03/18/2014

Final
BILL SUMMARY for HB14-1211

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC HEALTH CARE & HUMAN SERVICES

Votes: View--> Action Taken:
Adopt amendment L.003 (Attachment D). The motion p
Refer House Bill 14-1211, as amended, to the Commi		Pass Without Objection
PASS



05:05 PM -- HB14-1211

The committee reconvened. Representative Young introduced House Bill 14-1211. As introduced, the bill requires the Department of Health Care Policy and Financing to recognize complex rehabilitation technology (CRT) as a unique category of services under Medicaid. He distributed and explained amendment L.003, which is a strike-below amendment to the bill (Attachment D). The amendment defines CRT as individually configured wheelchair systems that are configured for individuals to meet their specific and unique medical, physical, and functional needs, are primarily used to serve a medical purpose, and require services provided by a qualified CRT provider to ensure appropriate design, configuration, and use. The amendment specifies the requirements for qualified CRT professionals and suppliers, and requires the Department of Health Care Policy and Financing to provide a separate recognition within the state's Medicaid program for CRT. Representative Young responded to questions from the committee regarding amendment L.003 (Attachment D).

14HsePHS0318AttachD.pdf14HsePHS0318AttachD.pdf

05:12 PM -- Patrick Mahncke, Colorado Association of Medical Equipment Services, testified regarding the importance of CRT to his client and discussed how such equipment allows clients to work and live in their homes. He stated that the bill preserves access to the equipment and provides safeguards. He stated that the bill preserves the current Medicaid benefit, and noted that many medical equipment providers have gone out of business in recent years. Mr. Mahncke responded to questions from the committee regarding the necessity of the bill, the number of medical equipment providers in the state, the amendment's requirements to provide service and repair of CRT, reimbursement of CRT by Medicaid and Medicare, the determination of adequate pricing of equipment, and Medicare rules changes.

05:34 PM -- MaryKathryn Hurd, Department of Health Care Policy and Financing, testified that the department is neutral on the bill. She noted that the bill codifies the current practice of the department regarding CRT. She clarified that many of the changes in the industry are being driven by Medicare regulations.

05:38 PM -- Alex Stephens, Department of Health Care Policy and Financing, responded to questions from the committee regarding whether individuals can be dually enrolled in Medicare and Medicaid. Ms. Hurd responded to questions from the committee regarding the length of time the department has to approve or deny claims.

05:45 PM

Mr. Mahncke responded to questions from the committee regarding what provisions of the bill are driving costs. Representative Young responded to questions from the committee regarding the bill's legislative declaration and fiscal note.

05:49 PM -- Priscilla Carlson, Colorado Cross-Disability Coalition, discussed the importance of CRT to individuals with disabilities. She stated that it is important to ensure that individuals have access to the equipment without undue delay.

05:56 PM -- Janice Hinds, Occupational Therapy Association of Colorado, testified in support of the bill with amendment L.003 (Attachment D).

05:58 PM -- Julie Reiskin, Colorado Cross Disability Coalition, responded to questions from the committee regarding Medicare and Medicaid rules for CRT and whether private insurance plans cover CRT.

06:09 PM -- Chris Hinds, representing himself, described his experience as a client eligible for Medicaid and Medicare, and his experience receiving CRT.

06:14 PM -- Mark Simon, representing himself, responded to previous committee questions regarding reimbursement rates for CRT and requirements for timely repairs of CRT. He responded to questions from the committee regarding the health care systems in other countries.
BILL:HB14-1211
TIME: 06:18:45 PM
MOVED:Young
MOTION:Adopt amendment L.003 (Attachment D). The motion passed without objection.
SECONDED:Singer
VOTE
Conti
Everett
Ginal
Joshi
Landgraf
McCann
Schafer
Singer
Stephens
Tyler
Wilson
Young
Primavera
YES: 0 NO: 0 EXC: 0 ABS: 0 FINAL ACTION: Pass Without Objection


06:19 PM

Representative Young gave concluding remarks regarding the bill.

BILL:HB14-1211
TIME: 06:20:06 PM
MOVED:Young
MOTION:Refer House Bill 14-1211, as amended, to the Committee on Appropriations. The motion passed on a vote of 12-1.
SECONDED:Ginal
VOTE
Conti
Yes
Everett
No
Ginal
Yes
Joshi
Yes
Landgraf
Yes
McCann
Yes
Schafer
Yes
Singer
Yes
Stephens
Yes
Tyler
Yes
Wilson
Yes
Young
Yes
Primavera
Yes
Final YES: 12 NO: 1 EXC: 0 ABS: 0 FINAL ACTION: PASS



06:22 PM

The committee adjourned.