Complementary and Integrative Health Waiver FAQ

1. What if I am currently on the Home and Community-Based Services Elderly Blind and Disabled (EBD) waiver? Can I transfer over to the CIH waiver?
   
   Answer:  Yes. Please contact your case manager to let them know you are interested in the CIH waiver. If you meet the eligibility requirements for the CIH waiver, your case manager will discuss with you the specific transfer requirements for their case management agency.
   
    
2. If I transfer to the CIH Waiver, will I have gaps in or lose any services?
   
   Answer:  No. All service providers enrolled to provide services on the EBD Waiver are also enrolled to provide services on the CIH Waiver. You will not lose any services or need to find new providers, besides CIH providers, if you transfer waivers.
   
    
3. What does the transfer process look like?
   
   Answer:  After you have contacted your case manager and expressed an interest in enrolling on the CIH Waiver, your case manager will mail you a Voluntary Withdrawal Form. This form states that you are requesting to withdraw from the current waiver you are enrolled in and want to be transferred to the CIH Waiver. Please sign and return the Voluntary Withdrawal Form as soon as possible. Your case manager will also send your physician a Physician Medical Information Page (PMIP) form to verify your qualifying condition.
   
    
4. Do I need to have another assessment done by my case manager?
   
   Answer:  After your case manager receives both the Voluntary Withdrawal Form and Physician Medical Information Page, they will contact you to discuss any changes in your needs since your last assessment. Your case manager will be able to confirm this over the phone if your last assessment was completed within the past six months. If you have not had an assessment in the last six months, your case manager will need to schedule a new face-to-face assessment to verify your needs.
    

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1. How do I enroll to receive acupuncture, chiropractic, and/or massage?
   
   Answer:  If you are eligible for HCBS Waivers and meet the targeting criteria for the CIH Waiver, please contact your case manager about adding the services to your Service Plan. 
   
    
2. How many treatments can members receive? 
   
   Answer:  Upon recommendation by CIH service providers on an HCBS-CIH Care Plan, members may receive a maximum of 408 (15min) units a year of combined CIH services, 204 (15min) units of a single service.
   
    
3. Are CIH Services duplicative to any state plan or long-term home health benefits?
   
   Answer:  No. HCBS-CIH services are not duplicative of physical therapy on the state plan nor through long-term home health. Acupuncture, chiropractic, and massage therapy are not available on the Health First Colorado state plan.
   
   
4. Who is providing Complementary and Integrative Health Services?
   
   Answer:  See the current provider list on the CIH Waiver page
    

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1. My clinic offers acupuncture, chiropractic, and/or massage therapy. Does Health First Colorado (Colorado’s Medicaid Plan) pay for these services?
   
   Answer:  Yes, if the Health First Colorado Member is enrolled on the CIH Waiver. Members who qualify for Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) and the CIH Waiver can receive acupuncture, chiropractic, and/or massage therapy services. Massage Therapy is also available on the Supported Living Services (SLS), Children with Life Limiting Illness (CLLI), and Children’s Extensive Supports (CES) waivers.  
   
   If you offer acupuncture, chiropractic, and/or massage therapy services and have experience and the capacity to help people living with brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, cerebral palsy, muscular dystrophy, spina bifida, or multiple sclerosis, please consider enrolling as a provider.  
   
   Health First Colorado providers have the opportunity to improve the health and well-being of many Coloradans. Health First Colorado is more than health insurance – it is a vital public service, helping Colorado citizens stay healthy or move toward better health.
   
    
2. How do chiropractors, massage therapists, and acupuncturists enroll to provide HCBS-CIH services?
   
   Answer:  To offer services to CIH Waiver members, providers and provider/service organizations must first enroll with Health First Colorado (Colorado’s Medicaid Program). Please review the provider section of the CIH Waiver and Services Guide. For further CIH service enrollment questions, email Kacey Wardle at Kacey.Wardle@state.co.us.
   
    
3. I am already a Health First Colorado provider, how do I become a CIH service provider?
   
   Answer:  If you and/or your provider organization are currently enrolled Medicaid providers, you will need to add provider type 36 (“Atypical” HCBS waiver) and add the CIH specialties you plan to provide.  To do this, log into the provider portal and follow the steps to add a provider type. For assistance, view Quick Guides or contact the provider helpdesk at 1-844-235-2387, option 5.
   
   If you and/or your provider organization are currently enrolled Medicaid HCBS waiver providers, you will need to add the CIH specialties you plan to provide. To do this, go to the provider portal and follow the steps to add a specialty. For assistance, view Quick Guides or contact the provider helpdesk at 1-844-235-2387, option 5. 
    
4. Do CIH providers need a Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) Site Survey before applying or providing services?
   
   Answer:  No. CIH providers are not required to do a CDPHE site visit to enroll. CIH providers must follow all general certification standards, conditions, and processes established in rules 10 CCR 2505-10 8.487 and 10 CCR 2505-10 8.517.11.C. The CDPHE may conduct a site audit every three (3) years to make sure providers are implementing and following these rules.
   
    
5. How do providers and members find each other?
   
   Answer:  Members can find providers on the Find A Provider Help Tool and above in the CIH Waiver questions section. Providers may reach out to their local Single Point Entry case management agencies to let them know they are enrolled and taking patients. Case management agencies may refer members to providers. Often, members will find their own providers and ask them to work with their case manager.
   
    
6. What is the HCBS-CIH Care Plan?
   
   Answer:  The HCBS-CIH Care Plan is a required form that documents the recommendation of HCBS-CIH service provider(s) of the appropriate frequency , scope, and duration of the service they are providing required by 10 CCR 2505-10 8.517.11.D. A provider must complete and send an HCBS-CIH Care Plan to a member's case manager before they can be authorized for services and begin treatment.
   
    
7. Where can I find CIH Waiver and service rates and procedure codes?
   
   Answer:  CIH Waiver rates and procedure codes are on the Department’s Provider Rates and Fee Schedule page. 

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