The Department is currently proposing a comprehensive reform of the Medicaid program which will shift priorities from the system to the clients and providers.  This reform began with the report, "Colorado Medicaid Managed Care Strategy Analysis and Recommendations," by Deborah Van Houten, a consultant to the Department in 2008.  The Department is also relying on input from managed care organizations, clients, advocates and other stakeholders, and will move forward with a health care delivery system changing from a traditional fee-for-service model to a regional, outcomes-focused, whole person-centered, coordinated system of care for clients in fee-for-service Medicaid.

This work continues the expansions and moving toward the goals of the governor's Building Blocks to Health Care Reform plan.

The Accountable Care Collaborative is part of the Medicaid reform effort, and is envisioned to consist of a statewide data organization and a number of regional care coordination organizations. These regional organizations will be charged to offer care-coordination services and to support the local participating providers and clients in the regions.  In exchange for the additional clinical support, providers will be asked to offer increased access to clients (extended office hours, some same-day appointments, etc.) and to begin to use state-supplied health information technology.

The Accountable Care Collaborative Request for Information (RFI) was posted in July 2009 in order to get more information from stakeholders to further develop the model.  The Request for Proposals will go out later in 2009, and the Department will implement the program in July 2010 starting with 60,000 clients.  If the program can demonstrate success, it could be expanded in later years.  All aid categories will be eligible for enrollment in the program.

Accountable Care Collaborative Fact Sheet 

Accountable Care Collaborative Questions and Answers