0C613783A98D45B087258432006CAFB6 Hearing Summary

PUBLIC
BILL SUMMARY For ALTERNATIVES TO OPIOIDS AND BARRIERS TO ACCESS

INTERIM COMMITTEE OPIOID AND OTHER SUBSTANCE USE DISORDERS
Date Jul 9, 2019
Location Old State Library

Alternatives to Opioids and Barriers to Access - Committee Discussion Only

Attachment Tag

File Name

Attachment K

Attachment H

Attachment I

Attachment J

01:47:16 PM

Paul Mintken, American Physical Therapy Association – Colorado Chapter, provided a handout to the committee and referred to a power point during his presentation (Attachment H). He discussed the advantages of physical therapy (PT) for the prevention of pain. He discussed the reduction in opioid use by patients who receive PT. He discussed reimbursement rates for PT from both Medicaid and private insurance companies.

01:57:09 PM

Bailey LeBoeuf Johnson, Occupational Therapy Association
of Colorado, provided a handout to the committee (Attachment I). She
gave an overview of the therapies provided by occupation therapist. She
explained that occupational therapy services can treat pain and addiction.
She spoke about the barriers individuals face when trying to access occupational
therapy services, including cost, lack of awareness of the role of an occupational
therapist, and Medicaid restrictions. She explained that Medicaid does
not cover occupational therapy services that are billed under a psychosocial
diagnosis.

02:06:05 PM

Amanda Massey, Executive Director, Colorado Association of Health Plans, discussed the recent efforts of insurance carriers and health care providers to expand services for SUD prevention and treatment. She suggested that more evidence-based treatments for pain management needs to be identified. Ms. Massey responded to questions.

02:13:31 PM

Dr. Tuesday Wasserman, Acupuncture Association of Colorado, provided a handout to the committee (Attachment J). She discussed the benefits of acupuncture to control pain and the cost savings associated with using acupuncture in multimodel care. She told the committee that the lack of insurance coverage for acupuncture services limits access to services for patients seeking care.

02:17:52 PM

Dr. Shad Sutton, Colorado Chiropractic Association, provided
a handout to the committee (Attachment K). He provided an overview
of the history of chiropractic care. He discussed the barriers for chiropractic
care as an alternative treatment, including lack of coverage under Medicaid,
and insurance equality.

02:25:37 PM

Committee questions and discussion with the panel followed.

Alternatives to Opioids and Barriers to Access - Committee Discussion Only

Colorado General Assembly