BA92BF687E978BA987258665006498AF Hearing Summary

Kim Bimestefer, Executive Director, Department of Health Care Policy and Financing (HCPF), introduced the presentation and referred to a slide deck throughout (Attachment B). She began with an overview of the department and introduction of staff presenting. Due to technical difficulties she could not continue her portion of the presentation.

Tom Massey, Deputy Executive Director, HCPF, introduced the legislative agenda of the department. Their priorities included telemedicine refinement, case management redesign, skilled nursing facilities, remote supports to Home and Community-Based Services programs, and expanding the Canadian prescription drug importation program.

Mr. Massey summarized the regulatory agenda and rule review process. The 2020 review included Provider Screening, Hospital Screening, Pharmaceuticals, State Funded Programs, and Health Care Affordability and Sustainability Fee Rules.

Director Bimestefer resumed her presentation and discussed an overview of HCPF, including funding sources, populations served, and types of providers. She continued with a summary of the department’s COVID response which included the Residential Strike Force aimed at protecting the most vulnerable populations. She discussed the impacts of the public health emergency on Medicaid enrollment, unemployment rates, and types of health coverage Coloradans are utilizing.

Director Bimestefer responded to a question.

Director Bimestefer presented the department performance plan including their Wildly Important Goals (WIGs). The WIGs included delivering health care coverage during the economic downturn and managing health care costs.  

Director Bimestefer presented the five strategic pillars of HCPF department goals which are member health, care access, operational excellence and customer service, Medicaid cost control, and affordability leadership. She provided examples of how HCPF is implementing these goals.

Director Bimestefer responded to questions about unimplemented audit recommendations and the affordability model.

Ralph Choate, Chief Operating Officer/Medicaid Operations Office Director, discussed streamlining client correspondence and need to conform to federal mandates related to required information and notices. He informed the committee that in a recent review, HCPF found that their correspondence process and accuracy had vastly improved compared to previous reviews.  

Director Bimestefer presented an update on Senate Bill 18-266, which requires HCPF to provide information to providers participating in the Accountable Care Collaborative regarding cost and quality of medical services. She informed the committee that they are on target to meet the required savings.

Director Bimestefer commented on adding health equity to HCPF's mission and made closing comments. Committee discussion followed.

Director Bimestefer asked the committee for continued feedback on the department’s equity mission. She informed the committee that HCPF is focused on the auditor's work and thanked healthcare workers for their work during the ongoing public health emergency.

Director Bimestefer commented on benefits of telemedicine and the COVID-19 vaccine.