Colorado Passes Bill Changing State Statute to Allow Additional Case Management Entities

The Colorado Office of Community Living is implementing conflict free case management through a bill passed through both chambers in the Colorado legislature. The bill implements conflict-free case management for persons with intellectual and developmental disabilities who are enrolled in home- and community-based services under Colorado’s Medicaid program.

The definition of conflict-free case management is included in the bill and reflects the policy that case management services are provided to a person with intellectual and developmental disabilities who is enrolled in home- and community-based services by an agency that is not also providing the same person services and supports unless a federal exemption is approved.

 Gretchen Hammer, Director of the Office of Community Living shared that rules and regulations will be promulgated and through the Medical Services Board in 12-18 months which will allow additional case management agencies to be certified to provide case management in Colorado. (This will allow more than one case management agency for increased choice, currently limited by state statute to just one of the 20 Community Centered Boards by catchment area).