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Page Updated: December 16, 2024
CIH Waiver Questions CIH Services Questions CIH Providers Questions
CIH Waiver Questions
- 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.
- 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.
- What does the transfer process look like? (Updated 7/15/24)
Answer: After you have contacted your case manager and expressed an interest in enrolling on the CIH Waiver, you will need to complete a new assessment and financial eligibility verification. Your case manager will also send your physician a Physician Medical Information Page (PMIP) form to verify your qualifying condition.
- Do I need to have another assessment done by my case manager? (Updated 7/15/24)
Answer: Your case manager will contact you to discuss any changes in your needs since your last assessment. If you have not had an assessment in the last six months, your case manager will need to schedule an in-person assessment to talk about your needs and if anything has changed.
CIH Services Questions
- How do I enroll to receive acupuncture, chiropractic, and/or massage? (Updated 7/15/24)
Answer: If you are eligible for HCBS Waivers and meet the targeting criteria for the CIH Waiver, please contact your case manager about transferring waivers and adding the services to your person-centered support plan.
- How many treatments can members receive? (Updated 6/27/24)
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.
- 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. - Who is providing Complementary and Integrative Health (CIH) Services?
Answer: See the current provider list on the CIH Waiver page
CIH Service Providers Questions
- My clinic offers acupuncture, chiropractic, and/or massage therapy. Does Health First Colorado (Colorado’s Medicaid Program) 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.
- 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.
- I am already a Health First Colorado provider, how do I become a CIH service provider? (Updated 12/16/24)
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.
If you and/or your provider organization are currently enrolled as 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.
- 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.
- 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 Case Management Agency 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.
- Is the HCBS-CIH Care Plan required? (Updated 7/15/24)
Answer: No, the HCBS-CIH Care Plan is no longer required. CIH providers must provide a recommendation of the appropriate frequency, scope, and duration of the service(s) they will provide for a member to the member's case manager. The member should agree to these recommendations and any CIH service before the case manager can authorize services and the provider can begin treatment.
- Where can I find CIH Waiver and service rates and procedure codes?
Answer: CIH Waiver rates and procedure codes are on the Provider Rates and Fee Schedule page.