Health Law and Policy Update: Hospital Payment Assistance Program passes unanimously out of committee
Headlines of the week
Hospital Payment Assistance Program passes unanimously out of committee
Senate Bill 12-134, the Hospital Payment Assistance Program, passed unanimously out of the House Committee on Health and Environment this week. The bill, which is sponsored by Senator Irene Aguilar, D-Denver, and Representative Cindy Acree, R-Aurora, and heavily supported by CCLP, gives uninsured patients the opportunity to understand and responsibly pay their hospital bills, without the fear of being sent to collections or going into bankruptcy. Senator Aguilar and Representative Acree were successful in bringing together a wide group of stakeholders, including consumers and hospitals, and garnering broad based bipartisan support for the bill. The Hospital Payment Assistance Program will now move to the House floor for second reading.
Learn more about the Hospital Payment Assistance Program at CCLP’s Policy Matters blog.
Medicaid Adults without Dependent Children program launch
The Adults without Dependent Children (AwDC) expansion will provide Medicaid benefits to 10,000 eligible adults, ages 19 through 64, who are at or below 10% FPL, do not have a Medicaid-eligible dependent child living in the home and who are ineligible for Medicare and other Medicaid programs. Applications will be accepted beginning April 1, 2012 and the first randomized member selection process (lottery) will take place in mid-May 2012. Enrollment will be effective as of May 1, 2012. Clients will be automatically enrolled into the Accountable Care Collaborative (ACC) and will receive regular Medicaid benefits.
Here are additional resources:
- AwDC Fact Sheet
- AwDC Eligibility and Enrollment FAQs – The frequently asked questions for AwDC is a working document and will be updated as necessary
- AwDC and CICP FAQs – Quick link for information on program interaction between AwDC and the CICP
- AwDC and ACC – Quick link for information on program interaction between AwDC and the ACC
- AwDC Manual – This comprehensive resource geared toward eligibility staff has program and policy information and examples of client communications
- Client one-page flyer for counties and community partners to post at their sites
- This gives high level program information meant to encourage clients to ask questions about the program
- Client Correspondence Summary – A guide to indicate which letters/communications clients may expect with reference to Version 2.0 of the AwDC Manual
HCPF conducting outreach on Medicaid Buy-in Program for Children with Disabilities
Beginning in late April, the Department of Health Care Policy and Financing will be conducting outreach sessions throughout the state on the Children’s buy-in. The Children’s Buy-in will allow children with disabilities who are otherwise ineligible for Medicaid or CHP+ to pay premiums for Medicaid coverage. Information and registration for the sessions can be found on the Department’s website.
U.S. Supreme Court and the Affordable Care Act
The Court took up issues related to the constitutionality of the Affordable Care Act this week. Look for our analysis of what was discussed early next week.

