An Interview with Catherine Strode
Gretchen Hammer is recognized as one of the state’s most respected leaders in healthcare. Formerly the State’s Director of Medicaid, she recently left the Colorado Department of Health Care Policy and Financing. For the past four years, Gretchen has overseen the Department’s Health Programs Office which administers the state’s public health insurance programs for low-income Coloradans including Medicaid and Child Health Plan Plus (CHP+). Prior to HCPF, she served as the Executive Director of the Colorado Coalition for the Medically Underserved (CCMU). As she looks back over the years of her tenure, Gretchen Hammer cites progress for the state’s Medicaid members in that they have reported satisfaction with the delivery and quality of their care.
[Read more…] about HCPF Bids Farewell to Medicaid Director Gretchen Hammer
“Vote4Medicaid” Movement Ramps Up for 2018 Elections
An Interview with Catherine Strode
A movement is underway across the state to build a broad coalition of people who will register to vote and elect pro Medicaid and pro disability candidates. The goal is to elect candidates, both at the state and national level, who will not cut vital supports that enable community living for people with disabilities.
Julie Reiskin, Executive Director of the Colorado Cross-Disability Coalition (CCDC), has helped implement solutions in the state for a sustainable Medicaid program. A respected advocate and health policy analyst, she championed consumer direction as a care delivery model.
In an interview with Catherine Strode, she explains how the “Vote4Medicaid” movement got started and why it is essential for all Coloradans to support it.
[Read more…] about “Vote4Medicaid” Movement Ramps Up for 2018 Elections
Community Services Embraced in Medicaid Through Managed Care Plans
An Interview with Catherine Strode
Merrill Friedman leads the national Disability Policy Engagement team and advocacy strategy for Anthem and its affiliate health plans. She works with advocates to meet the needs of individuals with disabilities in the company’s managed health care plans.
In an interview with Catherine Strode, she explains how the health care industry is embracing a Community First philosophy in delivering its Medicaid managed program services.
[Read more…] about Community Services Embraced in Medicaid Through Managed Care Plans
National Health Expert Optimistic About Medicaid’s Future Services
An Interview with Catherine Strode
Health Affairs is the leading health policy journal in the country. The journal’s Editor-in-Chief, Alan Weil, recently gave a presentation in Denver on an overview of the evolution of the country’s Medicaid program. An elected member of the National Academy of Medicine, and an appointed member of the Medicaid and CHIP Payment and Access Commission, Alan is recognized nationally as an expert in health care policy.
In an interview with Catherine Strode, he explains why he views the future of Medicaid services optimistically for individuals in vulnerable populations.
[Read more…] about National Health Expert Optimistic About Medicaid’s Future Services
Coverage Gains and Medicaid Satisfaction: Big Takeaways From CHAS
An Interview with Catherine Strode
The Colorado Health Access Survey (CHAS) is the leading source of information on health insurance coverage, access to health care and use of health care services in the state. Since 2009, over 10,000 Colorado households have been surveyed every two years on changes impacting health policy.
In an interview with Catherine Strode, the Colorado Health Institute’s Manager of Public Policy Outreach Joe Hanel, says this year the survey included new questions about satisfaction of care. Results show the state’s Medicaid program fared well with recipients’ responses.
[Read more…] about Coverage Gains and Medicaid Satisfaction: Big Takeaways From CHAS
Self-Advocates Join Medicaid Protest Rally
An Interview with Catherine Strode
AdvocacyDenver Board Member and Self-Advocate Mitch McKinney was one of over 400 individuals to protest the proposed cuts to Medicaid in the GOP health bill in a rally held in front of Senator Cory Gardner’s downtown office. Several Colorado legislators also participated in the Medicaid Protest Rally, including State Representative Dave Young. Representative Young spoke at the rally calling the proposed cuts to Medicaid a ‘civil rights issue.’
In an interview with Catherine Strode, Representative Young who serves on the Joint Budget Committee said Colorado would not be able to accommodate the cost shift from federal to state funding.
[Read more…] about Self-Advocates Join Medicaid Protest Rally
2012 Voter Guide on Disability Issues
Follow the link below to access the 2012 Voter Guide which outlines issues ranging from Medicaid, to juvenile justice, to pending federal legislation that all affect the community of individuals with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities. Use the guide to contact candidates for both Colorado legislature and U.S. Congress to raise awareness about these issues.
2012 AdvocacyDenver Voter Guide
Don’t forget to vote on Election Day on November 6th, 2012! Our voices count!
The Waiting Period
“How much of human life is lost in waiting.” — Ralph Waldo Emerson
In order to enroll in Medicaid waiver programs in Colorado, adults with intellectual or developmental disabilities (I/DD) must meet certain criteria in determining their eligibility. This criterion, determined by the Colorado Division of Disability, is also used to determine the level of support needed by the individual in order for him or her to lead an active, quality life in our Colorado communities.
Medicaid waiver programs enrollment for individuals with I/DD in Colorado are in great demand. Advocates at AdvocacyDenver oftentimes support clients with enrolling in these programs. Once applied and approved as eligible, clients can anticipate varying wait periods for actual enrollment.. If an individual with I/DD does not apply for enrollment at age 14 –and this can be the case for a plethora of reasons- he or she will end up experiencing a waiting period where access to Medicaid services and supports is limited.
During this waiting period, individuals with I/DD oftentimes refer to natural supports such as friends or family to help them participate within their communities. Community organizations can play a role in helping individuals waiting for Medicaid enrollment too. AdvocacyDenver has a long track record of supporting such individuals with I/DD in locating safe and affordable housing, access to health care, and accommodations in employment. Mission Supports, a new non-profit organization in Denver, is also working to specifically alleviate the barriers experienced by those waiting for Medicaid program enrollment. The organization provides on-going monthly check-ins with adults to identify areas in daily life that they may need support. It also is working towards providing educational opportunities to improve skills such as money management.
While there may not be any imminent decreases in waiting list periods in the near future we, as a community, can continue to be aware of the waiting list for Medicaid disability waiver program and provide our friends, neighbors, and family with support they need while they are waiting.
Approaching: Medicaid Buy-in Program for Working Adults with Disabilities
Coloradans with disabilities have long faced the complex issue of accessing Medicaid benefits while not crossing the fine line of generating too much income as to render them ineligible. They’ve also found themselves in instances where they’ve fallen through the cracks coverage-wise while transitioning from Medicaid to Medicare during long wait periods or where they wish to retain Medicaid coverage as a back up to Medicare coverage. Luckily, a new Medicaid Buy-in Program for Working Adults with Disabilities is on the brink of release and will hopefully provide a solution for these situations.
Beginning in March 1, 2012, working Coloradans ages 16 through 64 who have a disability will be able to apply for the Medicaid Buy-in Program for Working Adults by completing an application through their local regional county office, online at Colorado.gov/PEAK (or call 1-800-221-3943 for information). Accepted applicants will be offered the chance to pay monthly premiums based on their income for Medicaid benefits such as office visits, hospitalizations, x-rays, home health services, durable medical equipment and prescription medications. There is, however, a cap on how much working adults with disabilities may generate in income. Applicants may earn up to 450% of the federal poverty line (roughly $45,009). Income disregards will be applied prior to determining an applicant’s income for the purposes of this program.
To learn more about this program and how it may benefit you please check out this Fact Sheet and, if you have questions, please contact Kimberley Smith with the Colorado Department of Health Care and Financing Policy (303-866-3991/800-659-2656 TTY/TDD).
Note: This blog was written/edited by AdvocacyDenver with resource and editing assistance from the Colorado Department of Health Care Policy and Financing.