Temporary Suspension of Prior Authorization Requirements for Pediatric Long-Term Home Health
PARs Pause Extended Through March 2024 for Series of Services and Therapies
In January, the Department of Health Care Policy and Financing (HCPF) 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 February 28, 2022, the pause on the requirement to submit a PAR will extend through March 2024 and will now include:
- Pediatric long-term home health CNA services
- Pediatric long-term home health therapies: occupational therapy, physical therapy, and speech-language pathology therapy
- Pediatric long-term home health intermittent skilled nursing
The two-year pause allows HCPF and their 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 HCPF time to ensure full compliance with federal and state policy while keeping Health First Colorado members and their needs front and center.
HCPF is now collaborating with their utilization management vendor, Acentra Health, to implement operational changes supporting the extended pause. 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.
Private Duty Nursing and Pediatric Long-Term Home Health Prior Authorization Requirements
Effective Nov. 1, 2021
The Department of Health Care Policy & Financing (HCPF) is phasing out administrative approvals beginning November 1, 2021 for private duty nursing (PDN) and pediatric long-term home health (PLTHH) benefits. Prior authorization requests (PARs) for PDN and PLTHH benefits have been administratively approved through October 31, 2021 to accommodate HCPF’s work to revise the denial notices and complete system changes. Beginning November 1, 2021, HCPF will begin instituting PARs for these services.
HCPF has identified expectations for Regional Accountable Entities (RAEs), Managed Care Organizations (MCOs), Case Management Agencies (CMAs), and the Utilization Management (UM) regarding care coordination and case management for Health First Colorado (Colorado’s Medicaid Program) members who received administrative approvals for private duty nursing and pediatric long-term home health benefits. HCPF and CCHA anticipate most members currently receiving these services will not be impacted but understand coordinated, tailored support for individuals and families will be needed.
How CCHA Will Support This Effort
As part of our role to support Health Frist Colorado members, CCHA will be work with CMAs and HCPF to provide the following supports to members and providers during this implementation, and ongoing.
- Conduct outreach to members that receive a denial for PDN or pediatric LTHH services to offer care coordination support.
- Coordinate support for members with CMA and home health providers.
- Support members in their desire to appeal a decision.
- Work closely with providers on providing care coordination support for members who receive a denial of services.
- Discus the process and roles at quarterly single entry point (SEP) and community centered boards (CCBs) collaboration meetings.
If providers have questions regarding this change in prior authorization requirements, including documentation necessary, please see HCPF’s Private Duty Nursing and Pediatric Long-Term Home Health Services Pre-Approval Project page or contract Providers@cchacares.com.
If members have questions, please contact CCHA Member Support Services.