Date: 03/15/2006
Final
Department of Health Care Policy and Financing
SENATE COMMITTEE ON -- SELECT -- GOVERNMENT ACCOUNTABILITY
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12:32 PM -- Briefing from the Colorado Department of Health Care Policy and Financing on CBMS
Steve Tool, Executive Director, Department of Health Care Policy and Financing, introduced himself and began his presentation regarding the department's experience with the Colorado Benefits Management System (CBMS). He discussed lessons learned from the CBMS experience that may be useful in planning and implementing future expansive information technology projects. He indicated that having multiple departments and multiple directors over the project caused problems in implementing CBMS. He stated his belief that having one director overseeing the entire project would have resulted in greater organization and accountability. Mr. Tool also discussed the benefits of having a vendor that is fully invested in the project, to ensure adequate and timely response to problems. Mr. Tool discussed more recent technology contracts that the department has been involved in since CBMS that have gone more smoothly. Mr. Tool noted that it is his belief that CBMS has been very successful following initial problems. The department has found that claims and questions are handled more efficiently since the implementation of the program. Senator Hanna asked about the final cost of CBMS to the state. She also asked how many employees associated with the project are employees of the state. There are approximately 36 employees who work on the project,
12:52 PM
Ms. Livingston-Hammons, Executive Director, Department of Human Services, returned to the table to discuss the questions regarding cost. She noted that the original cost estimate for the entire project had been approximately $209 million.
12:54 PM
Senator Groff asked about creating a user preparedness component to the contracting process. Mr. Tool agreed that having such a component could be beneficial to ensure a smooth implementation of a project. Senator Owen indicated his belief that the state has done a good job getting CBMS working properly. He stated that other statewide database systems, such as CJUS had taken as much as five years to bring up to speed. He stated his belief that there will be opportunities to expand on the project to include additional aspects of human services support to Colorado citizens. Senator Groff asked about the role of the counties in implementing the program. Mr. Tool noted that the department has been working to improve communication between the department and the counties around Medicaid issues. Senator Teck asked for a written copy of the department's presentation.