This Department of Health Care Policy & Financing (HCPF) newsletter is designed to inform county directors, management and staff about high-impact updates, important changes, county performance, new guidance, and program changes.

HCPF continues to closely monitor legislation and related topics at the federal level.

Please read this month's Message from the Executive Director for updates from Director Bimestefer and useful inks.

The materials in the Legislator Resource Center are updated as needed, with the latest update to the Colorado Medicaid Insights and Potential Federal Medicaid Reduction Impact Estimates document made on June 6, 2025.

Information will also be provided via meetings, emails, and newsletters.

HCPF invites you to attend a meeting regarding proposed updates that will require prior authorization and continued stay requirements for Health First Colorado members to utilize Qualified Residential Treatment Programs (QRTP) and Psychiatric Residential Treatment Facilities (PRTF). We will also share upcoming changes to nomenclature for out-of-state providers. There will be time for policy questions and clarification.  

Meeting date: Wednesday, June 18, 2025, 1 -2:30 p.m. 

Register in advance or at the start of the webinar. Once you register, you will receive a confirmation email with information to join the webinar. 

If you are unable to attend, the meeting recording will be posted on the stakeholder engagement webpage after the meeting. 

The HCPF Memo Series webpage is grouped by year; 2025 memos are here.

Recently published HCPF memos include:

Please note the County Incentive Contract FY 2024-25 Status Report 2 will be issued on July 7, 2025. 

• Counties will have five calendar days to submit any disputes, beginning the day after receipt of the report.
• The Status Report 2 email will include detailed instructions on how to submit a dispute. Given the number of moving parts during this period, we kindly ask that you submit any disputes as promptly as possible to help ensure a smooth process. 

County Incentive Contract FY 2025-26

We are finalizing internal steps and working to get contracts to County Directors prior to June 30, 2025. This year marks the start of a new contract cycle, which includes new requirements that have added steps to the process.

• On Tuesday, June 3, an email was sent to Directors informing them that holdover letters will begin to be emailed starting Thursday, June 5. 

We are currently drafting a FY 2025-26 County Incentive Contract operational memo, scheduled for release prior to June 30, 2025, which will provide counties with information on Incentive targets, scoring, and deliverables for each Incentive category.

For more information, visit the County Incentives webpage.

MAP Overview

Date: July 15, 2025

Time: 11 a.m. to 12:15 p.m.

Description: Overview on how MAP Dashboard Performance Measurement Data will align with project CPPM-10595 - CBMS MA Renewals CMS Guideline Updates.

Overview Session communications will be sent via CBMS communication in Mid-June. 

Agenda:

• Overview of changes to Medical Assistance (MA) renewals associated with Project CPPM-10595
• Clarification of CMS policies related to timeliness
• Alignment of MAP Dashboard Performance Measurement Data with Project CPPM-10595
• Roadmap for future MAP Dashboard changes based on CMS guidance
• Overview of changes to FY 2025–26 County Incentive Contract Scoring tied to Project CPPM-10595

Zoom Details: 

Join the webinar

Passcode: 076445

Webinar ID: 820 3988 4888

Passcode: 076445

Add this to my calendar

Contact: If you have any questions or concerns, please contact us at the MAP Dashboard inbox.

Provide Feedback on Member Correspondence Improvements

HCPF is holding a series of quarterly virtual stakeholder meetings to present information about ongoing improvements to member correspondence.

At the meetings, HCPF staff will share:

• Updates on improvements being made
• Timelines for making changes
• Plans for future letter improvements

In addition to providing updates, attendees will have the opportunity to provide feedback on member letters in smaller workgroups. Registered attendees will receive materials to review at least one week in advance of the meeting. Please come prepared to provide feedback. Attendees will also be able to submit feedback via Google form for two weeks following the meeting.

The meetings will be in English and Spanish. ASL interpretation will be provided.

Meeting dates and times: 

Thursday, July 17, 2025, 12 to 1:30 p.m.

Thursday, Oct. 16, 2025, 12 to 1:30 p.m.

Thursday, Jan. 15, 2026, 12 to 1:30 p.m.

Please register for the meetings in advance. After registering, you will receive a unique link to join the meeting. For those who cannot attend the meetings, you may request a recording.

Meeting Accommodation and Language Access Notice: Auxiliary aids and services for individuals with disabilities and language services for individuals whose first language is not English may be provided upon request. Please notify Ryan Lazo at least one week prior to the meeting to make arrangements. 

If you have general questions, please contact the Stakeholder Engagement Section for more information.

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