2023 Colorado Revised Statutes › Title 25.5 - HEALTH CARE POLICY AND FINANCING (§§ 25.5-1-101 — 25.5-11-101) › COLORADO MEDICAL ASSISTANCE ACT (§§ 25.5-4-101 — 25.5-6-2001) › Article 6 - COLORADO MEDICAL ASSISTANCE ACT - LONG-TERM CARE (§§ 25.5-6-101 — 25.5-6-2001) › Part 18 - COLORADO MEDICAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS FOR DISBURSEMENT OF FEDERAL FUNDS UNDER THE FEDERAL "AMERICAN RESCUE PLAN ACT OF 2021" (§§ 25.5-6-1801 — 25.5-6-1806) › Section 25.5-6-1803 - [Effective 8/7/2024] Development of spending plan

(1)
In accordance with federal guidance issued by the federal centers for medicare and medicaid services regarding the implementation of section 9817 of the "American Rescue Plan Act", the state department shall develop a proposed spending plan using the enhanced funding, which plan may include but is not limited to the following components:
(a)
Consideration of methods to maximize federal financial participation;
(b)
Incorporation of feedback from medical assistance members, advocates, and providers for the services for which the "American Rescue Plan Act" provides additional federal financial participation;
(c)
Expedition of the response and recovery for medical assistance members, providers, and other relevant organizations most significantly impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Response and recovery efforts may include but are not limited to:
(I)
One-time provider rate increases to support organizations and the direct-care workers impacted by COVID-19;
(II)
One-time payments to support infection control; and
(III)
Tribal grants to increase access to and use of home- and community-based services on tribal lands;
(d)
Advancement and acceleration of existing and newly identified system reform efforts. Advancement and acceleration efforts may include but are not limited to:
(I)
Support for local organizations and stakeholders to plan and prepare for the implementation of case management redesign efforts;
(II)
Analysis and development of recommendations to better stabilize existing rural providers and to expand provider access in rural communities;
(III)
Analysis and development of recommendations for new models of care for investment and innovation;
(IV)
Development of pay for performance programs;
(V)
Improvement of provider certification oversight;
(VI)
Development of acuity tools for long-term home health;
(VII)
Development of training to align with 988 mobile dispatch;
(VIII)
Analysis and development of recommendations for implementing behavioral health peer supports for day services serving people experiencing homelessness;
(IX)
Development of transition support services for people with complex behavioral needs;
(X)
Provider capacity-building to serve people with high-intensity needs;
(XI)
Development of provider cultural and disability competency training; and
(XII)
Home- and community-based services through the community first choice option, section 1915(k) of the "Social Security Act",
42 U.S.C. 1396n
;
(e)
Investment in infrastructure and technology innovation that has a long-term benefit to the system and the people of Colorado, including integration with other statewide and local efforts. Investments may include but are not limited to:
(I)
Comprehensive training for case managers and providers;
(II)
System enhancements to support streamlined eligibility;
(III)
Member and family material on case management, care coordination, and home- and community-based services;
(IV)
Expanding Member access to technology and technology literacy training;
(V)
Capital funding for IT infrastructure to purchase devices to support the implementation of the care and case management tool; and
(VI)
Telemedicine and telehealth one-time payments to support equipment for service delivery; and
(f)
Development and stabilization of the direct-care workforce. Efforts may include but are not limited to:
(I)
The analysis of nationwide efforts to strengthen the direct-care workforce;
(II)
Development of a strategic plan to stabilize the direct-care workforce, including plans for rural sustainability;
(III)
Consideration of direct-care worker wage sustainability through increased rates and potential wage pass-through programs;
(IV)
Development of training programs focusing on additional career pathways; and
(V)
Creation of structure around recruitment, retention, and public awareness of direct-care work.
(2)
The state department shall continue to engage stakeholders for input concerning prioritization of the use of the enhanced funding from the "American Rescue Plan Act".
Amended by 2024 Ch. 152,§ 96, eff. 8/7/2024.
Added by 2021 Ch. 395, § 1, eff. 6/30/2021.
L. 2021: Entire part added, (SB 21-286), ch. 2622, p. 2622, § 1, effective June 30.
2024 Ch. 152, was passed without a safety clause. See Colo. Const. art. V, § 1(3).
This section is set out more than once due to postponed, multiple, or conflicting amendments.