Interested Parties Advisory Group (IPAG)
Membership Information Meeting Schedule and Materials Contact Us Apply Now
Purpose
The Interested Parties Advisory Group (IPAG) advises, consults and offers feedback to the Department of Health Care Policy and Financing (HCPF) regarding provider rates for direct care workers in the areas of Habilitation, Home Health Aide, Homemaker and Personal Care services. The IPAG gives direct care workers and people with lived experience a place to share their experiences and ideas about payment rates and direct compensation for workers. The IPAG was created through the Ensuring Access to Medicaid Services final rule (FFS) 42 CFR 447.203.
IPAG Membership
HCPF wants to establish an IPAG in Colorado and is looking for people to join.
Applications will be accepted from:
- Health First Colorado (Colorado's Medicaid Program) members
- Direct care workers serving Health First Colorado members
- Guardians/legally authorized representatives, and
- Other interested parties
Membership is determined by the Medicaid Director or designee who will appoint individuals from a variety of groups as described below.
Membership Eligibility Criteria
- Health First Colorado members receiving care and support through Home and Community Based Services (HCBS), Long-Term Home Health (LTHH), or Community First Choice (CFC)
- Health First Colorado member’s guardian or representative
- Direct Care workers providing services to Health First Colorado members.
- Note: preference given to Direct Care workers who deliver hands on care and support such as: personal care, home health aide, home maker, respite, adult day, and habilitation services (ex. Host Home Provider, Direct Support Professional).
- Note: preference given to Direct Care workers who deliver hands on care and support such as: personal care, home health aide, home maker, respite, adult day, and habilitation services (ex. Host Home Provider, Direct Support Professional).
- State or local consumer advocacy groups or other community-based organizations that represent the interests of, or provide direct service, to Health First Colorado beneficiaries or other interested parties.
Note: HCPF staff will serve on the IPAG as presenters and facilitators as needed to fulfill requirements and duties of the regulation.
Apply Now - Application period will be open from November 21, 2025 through January 15, 2026
IPAG Recruitment and Selection Process
HCPF will ensure transparency and accountability throughout the recruitment and appointment process by regularly updating the public about the recruitment process on this website and via newsletter. Initial vacancies will be announced via relevant HCPF newsletters, in existing stakeholder meetings, and on the this website.
Interested individuals may apply via an online application between November 21, 2025 and January 15, 2026. Applications will be reviewed by March 1, 2026 with invitations to join sent no later than March 10, 2026.
All IPAG members will be required to disclose any potential conflicts of interest and mechanisms for managing these conflicts will be in place.
The Colorado Open Records Act may require that certain information contained in the application and captured in meeting materials, including recorded material, will be available for inspection by the general public. All members must agree to this term.
Selected applicants will represent a diverse subset of health care providers and other professionals. Candidates will be selected based on provider type or role, along with relevant experience and expertise.
Term Limits
Membership appointments will be for two years, with a 2-term limit for a total of no more than four years of service. Partial terms will count towards the 2-term limit.
Meeting Schedule and Materials
Regular meetings will be held every 6 months at a minimum.
In years where recommendation reports are due (starting in 2026), meetings will be held monthly starting in March to meet deadlines for reporting requirements to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS).
Meeting agendas will be created by HCPF staff and the IPAG members to meet federal requirements for reporting on the IPAG recommendations on rates, access to care metrics, and HCBS payment adequacy data.
IPAG Timeline
- November 21, 2025 - Application period opens
- January 15, 2026 - Application period closes
- February 20, 2026 - Applicant interviews begin
- March 10, 2026 - Members announced
- March 26, 2026 - First meeting
- April 16, 2026 - Second Meeting
- May 21, 2026 - Third Meeting
- June 25, 2026 - Final meeting
Annual Report
An annual report covering the recommendations from the IPAG will be published on this page by August 2026.
Contact Us
Waiver and Compliance Unit
Colorado Department of Health Care Policy and Financing
303 E. 17th Avenue, Suite 1100
Denver, CO 80203
Email: HCPF_HCBSWaivers@state.co.us
Auxiliary aids and services for individuals with disabilities and language services for individuals whose primary language is not English may be provided upon request. Please notify the webinar organizer, Ryan Lazo at hcpf_stakeholders@state.co.us, or the Civil Rights Officer at hcpf504ada@state.co.us at least one week prior to the webinar to make arrangements.
Las ayudas y servicios auxiliares para individuos con discapacidades y servicios de idiomas para individuos cuyo idioma materno no sea inglés pueden estar disponibles por solicitud. Comuníquese con el organizador de reuniones, Ryan Lazo a hcpf_stakeholders@state.co.us, o con el oficial de derechos civiles a hcpf504ada@state.co.us al menos una semana antes de la reunión para hacer los arreglos necesarios.