Colorado Department of Health Care Policy and Financing Enhances Telehealth Services and Cardiac Disease Care

The Colorado Department of Health Care Policy and Financing is spearheading initiatives to expand telehealth services and address cardiac diseases through newly enacted legislation.

Governor Jared Polis recently signed the SB24-168 bill, sponsored by Alamosa Senator Cleave Simpson, into law. This legislation mandates that the Colorado Department of Health Care Policy and Financing reimburse specific Medicaid members for using telehealth remote monitoring for outpatient services. The initiative, set to be implemented from July 1 next year, aims to bridge the healthcare gap in rural areas using technology.

Telehealth Remote Monitoring Grant Program

A significant aspect of SB24-168 is the introduction of a telehealth remote monitoring grant program. This program offers financial assistance to outpatient healthcare facilities in rural counties or areas with a shortage of providers. It aims to facilitate the adoption of telehealth solutions in these underserved regions. By providing the necessary funds, the program ensures that healthcare facilities can access and implement modern telehealth technologies, thereby enhancing the delivery of healthcare services.

Continuous Glucose Monitor Coverage

From November 1, 2025, the legislation will introduce continuous glucose monitor coverage for Medicaid members. This addition reflects a broader commitment to chronic disease management, particularly diabetes. Continuous glucose monitoring is a vital tool in managing diabetes, allowing patients to track their blood glucose levels in real-time and adjust their treatment plans accordingly.

Training Healthcare Providers

The grant program funds will also support staff training in using remote monitoring equipment. This ensures that healthcare workers are adequately equipped to deliver these modern healthcare services effectively. By investing in training, the Colorado Department of Health Care Policy and Financing is not only providing the tools necessary for telehealth but also ensuring that the workforce can use these tools efficiently.

Bridging the Healthcare Gap in Rural Areas

Colorado State Representative Matthew Martinez emphasized the importance of this legislation in expanding telehealth services into rural and underserved communities.

“This law expands telehealth services into rural and underserved communities like mine so everyone can access the treatment and care needed to live a healthy life,” Martinez said in a press release. “Our bipartisan law also creates a rural-specific grant program to help our healthcare providers locate and implement telehealth technology in their practice.”

Improving Heart Disease Care and Prevention

In addition to expanding telehealth services, Governor Polis signed HB24-1219 into law. Sponsored by Speaker McCluskie, Representative Mike Lynch and Senators Kyle Mullica and Byron Pelton, this bill aims to improve heart disease care and prevention in Colorado. The legislation extends heart and circulatory malfunction benefits to part-time and volunteer firefighters. It also establishes a cardiac screening trust for peace officers and mandates employer participation in the multi-employer cancer trust.

By extending benefits to part-time and volunteer firefighters, the bill acknowledges the significant risk these individuals face in their line of duty. The establishment of a cardiac screening trust for peace officers further ensures that those who protect the community have access to essential health screenings. Mandating employer participation in the multi-employer cancer trust highlights a holistic approach to healthcare, addressing both cancer and cardiac disease risks.

The Colorado Department of Health Care Policy and Financing’s initiatives through SB24-168 and HB24-1219 demonstrate a strong legislative commitment to enhancing healthcare services in the state. By focusing on telehealth and cardiac care, Colorado is taking significant steps to ensure that its residents, particularly those in rural and underserved areas, have access to the healthcare they need.

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