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Services for adults and children with developmental disabilities are usually provided with funding from Medicaid and from the State of Colorado. The Centers for Medicare/Medicaid Services (CMS) have recently requested changes in the way the services are billed and in the rates that are used to reimburse providers for the services. While the changes take effect July 1, 2006, work is still being done to finalize the new rates and billing procedures as of June 12, 2006. In Colorado, the Department of Health Care Policy and Financing is the state agency that contracts directly with Region VIII of CMS to determine all aspects of the state Medicaid Plan and various Medicaid Waivers. Through a Memorandum of Understanding, the Department of Human Services, Developmental Disabilities Services Division operates the Medicaid Waivers in place for people with developmental disabilities. As changes are made in Medicaid requirements, both departments work together to assure that the needs of eligible individuals are met and that the quality assurance and financial accounting and billing procedures are done well. We will post new information on the changes mentioned above as we receive them. Some of the changes will occur on or near July 1, 2006. A number of other changes will be developed and reviewed over the following 12 months. The new rates will be reviewed for adequacy to assure that services can be obtained at those rates. The needs of individuals for specific amounts of financial resources with which to purchase services will be determined by a new assessment process referred to as an intensity scale. That tool will be developed or chosen over the next twelve months. For additional thoughts and perspectives visit the editorial section of this website. |
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