SB 17-121

  • Colorado Senate Bill
  • 2017 Regular Session
  • Introduced in Senate Apr 12, 2017
  • Senate
  • House
  • Signed by Governor Jun 02, 2017

Improve Medicaid Client Correspondence

Abstract

Interim Study Committee on Communication Between the Department of Health Care Policy and Financing (HCPF) and Medicaid Clients. The bill requires the department of health care policy and financing (department) to engage in an ongoing process to improve medicaid client communications, including client letters and notices, that concern eligibility for or the denial, reduction, suspension, or termination of a benefit. Among other requirements included in the bill, the department shall ensure that client communications are accurate, readable, and understandable, clearly conveying the purpose of the letter or notice and the specific action or actions that the client must take in response to the letter or notice. The bill requires the department to include in certain notices a specific and plain language explanation of the basis for the denial, reduction, suspension, or termination of a benefit; and a description of necessary information or documents that the client has not provided. If sufficient state and federal appropriations are available, on and after July 1, 2018, the department shall make available electronically a client's information concerning household composition, assets, and income sources and amounts, if relevant to the determination for which the client correspondence was issued. The department may test new or significantly revised client communications against the requirements included in the bill with a representative sample of medicaid clients, advocacy organizations, and counties prior to implementing the client communications. The department shall also develop a process to consider feedback from stakeholders and counties prior to implementing significant changes to correspondence. The department shall also ensure that letters and notices affecting clients with disabilities, seniors, and other vulnerable populations are appropriately prioritized for improvement consistent with the requirements in the bill. The department shall receive feedback from the workgroup established to provide customer and community partner feedback regarding client communications as part of the department's involvement in state-level decision-making relating to computer system changes and training. The department shall provide information concerning medicaid client communications improvements as part of its annual presentation to its legislative committee of reference. (Note: This summary applies to the reengrossed version of this bill as introduced in the second house.)

Bill Sponsors (4)

Votes


Actions


Jun 02, 2017

Office of the Governor

Governor Signed

May 18, 2017

Office of the Governor

Sent to the Governor

Colorado General Assembly

Signed by the Speaker of the House

Colorado General Assembly

Signed by the President of the Senate

May 01, 2017

Colorado General Assembly

House Third Reading Passed - No Amendments

Apr 28, 2017

Colorado General Assembly

House Second Reading Special Order - Passed - No Amendments

Colorado General Assembly

House Committee on Appropriations Refer Unamended to House Committee of the Whole

  • Referral-Committee
  • Committee-Passage
House Committee of the Whole Appropriations

Apr 20, 2017

Colorado General Assembly

House Committee on Health, Insurance, & Environment Refer Unamended to Appropriations

  • Referral-Committee
Health, Insurance, & Environment Appropriations

Apr 12, 2017

Colorado General Assembly

Introduced In House - Assigned to Health, Insurance, & Environment

  • Introduction
Health, Insurance, & Environment

Colorado General Assembly

Senate Third Reading Passed - No Amendments

Apr 11, 2017

Colorado General Assembly

Senate Second Reading Passed with Amendments - Committee

Apr 06, 2017

Colorado General Assembly

Senate Committee on Appropriations Refer Amended - Consent Calendar to Senate Committee of the Whole

  • Committee-Passage
Appropriations

Feb 16, 2017

Colorado General Assembly

Senate Committee on Health & Human Services Refer Amended to Appropriations

  • Referral-Committee
Appropriations Health & Human Services

Jan 27, 2017

Colorado General Assembly

Introduced In Senate - Assigned to Health & Human Services

  • Introduction
Health & Human Services

Bill Text

Bill Text Versions Format
Amendment L.001 PDF
Amendment L.003 PDF
Committee Amendment PDF
PA1 (02/17/2017) PDF
PA2 (04/07/2017) PDF
Introduced (01/27/2017) PDF
Engrossed (04/11/2017) PDF
Reengrossed (04/12/2017) PDF
Revised (04/28/2017) PDF
Rerevised (05/01/2017) PDF
Final Act (05/18/2017) PDF
Signed Act (06/02/2017) PDF

Related Documents

Document Format
Fiscal Note SA1 (04/28/2017) PDF
Fiscal Note FN1 (02/15/2017) PDF
Fiscal Note FN2 (04/18/2017) PDF
Fiscal Note FN3 (08/14/2017) PDF

Sources

Data on Open States is updated periodically throughout the day from the official website of the Colorado General Assembly.

If you notice any inconsistencies with these official sources, feel free to file an issue.