E40A4F1D51730DDB872584EB00706CBE Hearing Summary

Representative Lontine called the meeting back to order.

Ms. Bimestefer presented on HCPF's performance plan and distributed handouts to the committee (Attachments E and F).  She briefly described the state health programs that HCPF administers.  Ms. Bimestefer discussed Medicaid program spendingl, including expenditures by client and provider type.  She described trends in Medicaid enrollment, and the increase in demand for long-term and home-based services.  Ms. Bimestefer discussed federal policy changes that present opportunities and challenges to HCPF programs.  She summarized the HCPF budget for the committee.  Ms. Bimestefer responded to committee questions.

Ms. Bimestefer gave a summary of the organizational structure at HCPF.  She discussed HCPF's strategic pillars, which include operational excellence, customer service, member health, Medicaid cost control, and health care affordability for Coloradans.  She summarized HCPF's wildly important goals.  Ms. Bimestefer responded to committee questions.  She described HCPF programs' cost containment measures.

Dr. Tracy Johnson, HCPF, discussed improving care support programs.  She noted programs that are in development, including maternity, newborn, diabetes, hypertension, anxiety and depression, chronic pain, and substance use disorders programs.  Dr. Johnson explained Medicaid Regional Accountable Entities (RAEs) to the committee. 

Ms. Bimestefer noted HCPF's successes, including decreased call wait times, decreased opioid use, increased use of the PEAK application, increase in Medicaid providers, and submittal of a substance use disorder waiver.  She summarized HCPF's partnerships with other state agencies.

Craig Domeracki, HCPF, discussed HCPF's purchasing and contracting processes.  He discussed results of state and federal audits, and noted that HCPF is working to improve program eligibility accuracy.  Mr. Domeracki described HCPF's customer service initiatives.

Dr. Johnson responded to committee questions and further described the role of the RAEs in behavioral health, and explained oversight of the RAEs.

Tom Massey, HCPF, described the legislative agenda of HCPF.  He explained that HCPF has proposed bills related to children's waivers, expenditure authority, skilled nursing, and health care affordability.  Mr. Massey summarized HCPF's regulatory agenda for 2020, and discussed the regulations that were reviewed in 2019. 

Mr. Massey provided updates on implementation of legislation related to HCPF, including Senate Bill 17-121 to improve HCPF correspondence.  Mr. Massey responded to committee questions.  He provided an update on Senate Bill 18-266 regarding controlling Medicaid costs, House Bill 18-1321 regarding urgent nonemergency transportation, and Senate Bill 19-195 regarding children and youth behavioral health system enhancements.

Ms. Bimestefer gave closing remarks.  Ms. Bimestefer and Dr. Johnson responded to committee questions regarding inpatient hospitals, electronic health records, provider rate setting, and health care issues in rural areas.