Date: 01/18/2006
Final
Oversight Presentation by Dept. of HCPF
COMMITTEE ON JOINT HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
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09:47 AM -- Presentation by the Department of Health Care Policy and Financing
Stephen Tool, Executive Director, Department of Health Care Policy and Financing (HCPF), began his departmental presentation with comments about Medicaid. He distributed a summary document to members (Attachment A). He stated Medicaid reform is largely up to the states. He discussed current national challenges for Medicaid, including issues regarding prescription drugs, long-term care, tailored benefit packages, and health information and technology. He discussed HCPF's work on a Health Insurance Flexibility and Accountability (HIFA) waiver to combine Medicaid and Child Health Plan Plus (CHP+). He stated allowing children to enroll in a single program will benefit enrollees. Mr. Tool continued with a discussion of Medicaid case load growth. Changes in caseload levels typically reflect state economic cycles. Colorado's case loads have increased greatly in recent years, but per capita costs have dropped.
09:58 AM
Mr. Tool described Colorado's Medicaid program as one of the leanest in the country. Senator Hagedorn commented on Colorado Medicaid's eligibility criteria and benefit levels. Compared to other states, Colorado has more stringent eligibility criteria and fewer benefits. Mr. Tool discussed CHP+ marketing. Marketing activities should be underway before the end of the month. Mr. Tool discussed HB 05-1262, the bill that established the allocations of tobacco tax funding passed by the voters through Amendment 35. New policies adopted as a result of Amendment 35 include removing the Medicaid asset test for children and families. Mr. Tool discussed the expected date of removal: July 1, 2006. Other policies include increased marketing of CHP+ and an increased income eligibility level for families.
10:08 AM
Barbara Prehmus, Medical Assistance Office, answered questions about waiting lists for children's waiver programs. The waiver capacity currently does not allow complete elimination of these waiting lists. Additional state funding and federal approval is required to increased the capacity levels. Mr. Tool said state-only funds are currently paying for the expansion coverage for pregnant women enrolled in CHP+. Mr. Tool answered questions about prenatal benefits for illegal immigrants. John Bartholomew, Operations and Financing Office, answered questions about the health care expansion fund. Mr. Tool answered questions about current efforts to combine the Medicaid and CHP+ programs. The single program will be know as Colorado Family Care. Representative Boyd discussed provisions of the upcoming bill that will implement the new program. Mr. Tool and committee members discussed actuarial issues related to Colorado Family Care and reimbursements to managed care organizations.
10:22 AM
Ms. Prehmus answered questions about the "non-citizen" budget category. She stated the category includes legal immigrants who are not yet eligible for full Medicaid benefits and illegal immigrants receiving emergency services (mostly labor and delivery). Mr. Tool answered questions about the sustainability of Colorado Medicaid. He listed programs and benefits that will support the program's sustainability, including home- and community-based services and the new Colorado Family Care. He answered questions about 05-1131 a bill that addressed redispensing unused prescription drugs.
10:33 AM
Mr. Tool answered questions about efforts to minimizing Medicaid costs. He discussed efforts to route Medicaid enrollees away from emergency rooms and toward community providers for non-emergency care.