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Preparing for Accountable Care Collaborative Phase III

Featured Announcements

Accountable Care Collaborative (ACC) Phase III Primary Care Medical Provider (PCMP) Payment Resources
The Department of Health Care Policy and Financing (HCPF) is introducing a singular, comprehensive primary care payment structure for PCMPs that integrates alternative payment model programs that were previously operated separately by HCPF and the Regional Accountable Entities (RAEs).  This improved model aims to elevate the quality of primary care services provided to members. 

The ACC Phase III PCMP Payment Fact Sheet provides key changes and additional information about the following:

  • Primary care services reimbursement from HCPF
  • Medical Home payments (the per-member-per-month or PMPM payment) from the RAEs
  • Quality Incentive and Shared Savings payments from the RAEs.

HCPF is hosting a series of virtual education sessions about this model. More information and links to register can be found on the Phase III Stakeholder Engagement webpage.

Meet the ACC Phase III RAEs

In September 2024, HCPF announced the awards for the four RAE contracts. HCPF is pleased to announce that, beginning July 1, 2025, the following entities have been awarded contracts. For information about the current RAEs, please visit the ACC Phase II webpage.

REGIONORGANIZATION INFORMATION
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Rocky Mountain Health Plans (RMHP)

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Northeast Health Partners (NHP)

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Colorado Community Health Alliance (CCHA)

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Colorado Access (COA)

ACC Phase III Map 

ACC Phase III Stakeholder Engagement

We are grateful to everyone who has provided feedback through the ACC Phase III Stakeholder Engagement process. A full archive of stakeholder engagement activities and associated materials are available on the ACC Phase III Stakeholder Engagement webpage.

ACC Phase III Informational Documents

Informational documents from throughout the ACC Phase III stakeholder engagement process are available online. Please note that the content of these documents may have evolved throughout the engagement process.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Why are stakeholder activities limited during the procurement process?
A: In accordance with state procurement rules, we are restricted from discussing the RFP until contract awards are formally announced and all protests and appeals are settled to avoid biasing or unduly influencing the bidding process.

Q: Will organizations be allowed to bid on multiple regions? 
A: Organizations will be allowed to bid on up to two regions.

Q: How many regions can be awarded to a single organization? 
A: HCPF's preference is to award one RAE region to an individual offeror. However, there may be instances where HCPF would consider awarding a second region to an offeror to prevent the award of a contract to an entity perceived to possess insufficient capabilities based on its proposal.

It is HCPF’s intent to award each region to the best offeror based on a holistic review of their proposal’s value, the strength of their capabilities and experience with providers and community partners within their region. This supports the fundamental premise of the ACC that regional communities are in the best position to make the changes that will cost-effectively optimize the health and quality of care for all members and to more effectively build off local systems of care to administer the program.

Q: Are out of state organizations permitted to bid?  
A: This will be an open, competitive procurement process and vendors from out-of-state who meet the required qualifications will be considered. The final RFP outlines specific requirements for offerors that are incorporated outside of Colorado in order to be able to do business in the state.

Q: How will Denver Health Medicaid Choice and Rocky Mountain Health Plans PRIME plan be incorporated into Phase III? 
A: Currently, Denver Health and Rocky Mountain Health Plans (RMHP) operate full risk, capitated managed care plans. Unlike RAEs, these Managed Care Organizations (MCOs) are responsible for physical health payments and outcomes. HCPF will continue to offer Denver Health the opportunity to operate a full MCO as part of ACC Phase III. The RMHP PRIME physical health managed care capitation plan is part of legislation for a payment reform and innovation pilot. Because HCPF is reprocuring the vendor for the region that covers the current RMHP PRIME, we will allow potential bidders for that region to propose an MCO similar to PRIME in the counties where PRIME currently exists. This means that PRIME is not guaranteed to continue in Phase III, that will ultimately depend on the vendor awarded for that region.

Q: How are the RFP responses evaluated?
A: HCPF will select vendors in compliance with C.R.S. §24-103-203(7) which states, “The award shall be made to the responsible offeror whose proposal is determined in writing to be the most advantageous to the state, taking into consideration the evaluation factors set forth in the request for proposal”. The evaluation process is ultimately a value analysis that considers each offeror holistically to ensure that the selected vendors are best able to comply with the contract requirements, achieve the goals of the ACC, and address the unique needs of Health First Colorado members and providers in each region.

Q: Who evaluates these responses?
A: An evaluation committee of HCPF subject matter experts will be chosen in a manner that ensures the integrity of the evaluation process and follows state procurement rules. The committee members must not have a conflict of interest, be able to provide fair and impartial evaluation of all offerors based solely on the content of the proposals submitted, have relevant subject matter expertise, and commit the time necessary to review multiple, several hundred-page proposals during the established evaluation period. Identities of evaluation committee members will remain confidential until the intent to award is posted.

Proposals will be evaluated by the committee using the criteria defined in the RFP and the offeror’s responses. The evaluators will consider whether all critical elements described in the solicitation have been addressed, the capabilities of the offeror, the quality of the approach and/or solution proposed, and any other aspect determined relevant by HCPF.

We understand and recognize the request for individuals who are not state employees to be part of the evaluation process. We are grateful for the immense contribution and commitment of external stakeholders throughout this process. In alignment with common practices for other procurements of this size, both in Colorado and nationally, and to ensure process integrity, only state employees will be part of the evaluation committee.

Q: How will stakeholder involvement continue leading up to and throughout Phase III?
A: Much of the feedback we received about the Draft Contract centered around concerns implementing new and enhanced program requirements. These are areas where stakeholder input is invaluable and we will continue engaging with stakeholders leading up to and after the start of ACC Phase III to ensure a smooth transition. Additional opportunities will continue to be shared on the Stakeholder Engagement webpage and newsletter. 

Background

The Department of Health Care Policy and Financing (HCPF) created the Accountable Care Collaborative (ACC) in 2011 to deliver cost-effective, quality health care services to its Health First Colorado (Colorado's Medicaid program) members and to improve the health of Coloradans. The ACC features Regional Accountable Entities (RAEs) operating in seven regions.

Current contracts between HCPF and the RAEs will end on June 30, 2025. HCPF has developed goals and priority areas for improvement and innovation intended to better align with our modernized mission, advances made by our sister agencies, and stakeholder input received over the past several years. 

Goals for ACC Phase III

  • Improve quality care for members
  • Close health disparities and promote health equity for members
  • Improve care access for members
  • Improve the member and provider service experience
  • Manage costs to protect member coverage, benefits, and provider reimbursements

Upcoming Key Dates and Milestones

  • Request for Proposals Published: May10, 2024 
  • Vendors Apply to Become a RAE: May 10 to July 13, 2024
  • ACC Phase III Begins: July 1, 2025

Sign Up for Updates

Want the latest on Phase III of the Accountable Care Collaborative? Sign up for notifications today! All announcements regarding stakeholder activities for ACC Phase III will be published in the Accountable Care Collaborative Program Updates newsletter.

Learn about the ACC

To learn more, visit the ACC Phase II web page.