PARs Pause Extended Through March 2024 for Series of Services and Therapies
In January, the Department of Health Care Policy and Financing (the Department) temporarily paused prior authorizations request (PAR) requirements for a series of pediatric long-term home health services and home health therapies until June 1, 2022. Those included PARs for pediatric long-term home health Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) services, and home health physical therapy, occupational therapy, and speech language pathology therapy services.
Effective Feb. 28, 2022, the pause on the requirement to submit a PAR will extend through March 2024 and will now include:
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Pediatric long-term home health CNA services
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Pediatric long-term home health therapies: occupational therapy, physical therapy, and speech-language pathology therapy
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Pediatric long-term home health intermittent skilled nursing
The two-year pause allows the Department and partners time to robustly engage with stakeholders, train providers on operational changes, evaluate benefit policy, and notify Health First Colorado (Colorado’s Medicaid program) members before the pause is lifted. This also gives the Department time to ensure full compliance with federal and state policy while keeping Health First Colorado members and their needs front and center.
The Department is now collaborating with our utilization management vendor, Kepro, to implement operational changes supporting the extended pause. We will communicate and issue policy changes to Health First Colorado members, providers and other stakeholders over the coming days. The Department appreciates the engagement from Health First Colorado providers and members while we work on this important process during the next two years. Watch the recording of the CNA PARs session that was held on Friday, March 4. Read the frequently asked questions and the updated Operational Memo for more information. Continue visiting http://hcpf.colorado.gov/par-updates for more information and updates.
Provider Listening Sessions RE: To Update PAR Submission
- Speech-Language Therapy Providers
Wednesday, February 9, 2022
12:00 - 1:30 p.m.
Meeting Recording
Stakeholder Engagement Webinar Slides
Session Follow-up
- PT/OT Therapy Providers
Wednesday, February 16, 2022
12:00 - 1:30 p.m.
Meeting Recording
Stakeholder Engagement Webinar Slides
Session Follow-up
- Home Health Providers
Tuesday, February 22, 2022
12:00 - 1:30 p.m.
Meeting Recording
Stakeholder Engagement Webinar Slides
Session Follow-up
- Durable Medical Equipment Providers
Wednesday, March 2, 2022
12:00 - 1:30 p.m.
Meeting Recording
Stakeholder Engagement Webinar Slides
Session Follow-up
- PT/OT/Speech Provider Workgroup
Thursday, March 31, 2022
1:00 p.m.
Meeting Recording
- Durable Medical Equipment Provider Workgroup
April 5, 2022
Meeting Recording