HB 22-1290

HB 22-1290, which has been signed into law in Colorado, aims to make it easier for Medicaid recipients who use complex wheelchairs and other mobility devices (called CRT) to get repairs without needing special approval from the government. The bill also sets up a system to track how well repair providers are doing their job starting next year and requires the state to pay more for labor costs in rural areas compared to urban ones beginning December 2024. This change will help people who rely on these devices get repairs faster and potentially at lower cost, especially if they live far from cities.

Official Summary

The act prohibits the department of health care policy and financing (state department) from requiring prior authorization for any repair of complex rehabilitation technology (CRT). No later than October 1, 2023, the act requires the medical services board to promulgate rules establishing repair metrics for all CRT suppliers and CRT professionals. Prior to promulgating rules, the act requires the state department to engage in a stakeholder process. Beginning January 2024, the act requires the state department to report on the metrics and compliance with the metrics. Beginning 3 years after the date the repair metric rules are established, the act authorizes the state department to engage in a stakeholder process to determine the need for additional accountability of a qualified CRT supplier through penalties, audits, or similar tools, for violations of the metric rules. Beginning December 1, 2024, the act requires the state department to reimburse labor costs at a rate that is 25% higher for clients residing in rural areas than urban areas. The act appropriates $112,668 from the general fund to department of health care policy and financing to implement the act. (Note: This summary applies to this bill as enacted.)

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