Colorado Access Announces Re-entry into Medicaid Managed Care

May 13, 2008

Colorado Access has announced that it will launch a new Medicaid Managed Care plan, “Access Health Plan - Enhanced Care Management”. The first members will become enrolled June 1, 2008. The plan will be available to disabled and elderly Medicaid members in Adams, Arapahoe, Boulder and Broomfield Counties. This plan marks Colorado Access’ reentry into Medicaid Managed Care after its exit in 2006.

The plan was formed as the result of a partnership between the Center for Health Care Strategies Inc. (CHCS), the Colorado Department of Health Care Policy and Financing and Colorado Access. CHCS, in line with their “Rethinking Care” program, will be working with up to eight states/regions around the country to develop integrated care programs for the highest need, highest cost Medicaid populations. Colorado Access is the first plan to become operational under this program. New York is also working with CHCS and their state Medicaid agency to develop a different model under the same program.

“We are excited to be evaluating an innovative model of care for vulnerable populations, particularly complex and chronically ill adults. We hope to demonstrate improved health status and improved access to care for this population,” said Sandeep Wadhwa, MD Medicaid Director for the Colorado Department of Health Care Policy and Financing. Access Health Plan - Enhanced Care Management seeks to improve the quality of care and overall health care experience of its enrolled members by providing a high touch program to address the unique needs of this population. Additional goals of the plan include:
- Creating a medical home for members that do not already have one.
- Improving member/provider communication.
- Improving continuity of care.

Members of the plan will receive all of the benefits of Medicaid as well as zero copays and many free over-the-counter medications with a prescription. Through enhanced care management services, members will have access to Care Managers and Health Navigators that will assist in:
- Coordinating care amongst multiple service providers.
- Scheduling appointments and accessing care.
- Creating a care plan.
- Setting health related goals.

Additionally, the plan will offer members customized preventive health and disease education.

Marshall Thomas M.D., President and CEO of Colorado Access, said “Medicaid Managed Care is where Colorado Access got its start and it is core to our mission.” He added “we’re excited to work with the Center for Health Care Strategies and the Colorado Department of Health Care Policy and Financing to develop care management models that better serve the high-cost and vulnerable disabled and elderly populations within Medicaid.”

Colorado Access is a private, nonprofit health plan that has served the medical and behavioral health needs of the medically underserved for more than a decade. The company’s four lines of business are Access Behavioral Care, Access Health Plan-Enhanced Care Management, Child Health Plan Plus and Colorado Access Advantage. Colorado Access is sponsored by The Children's Hospital, Colorado Community Managed Care Network and University of Colorado Hospital/University Physicians, Inc. More information is available at www.coaccess.com.

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