CO HB1277

Requires county or designated service agencies to provide at least 10 days' advance notice before suspending, terminating, or modifying medical assistance benefits and must notify applicants/recipients in writing of the basis for the decision and their appeal rights.

Applicants or recipients have 60 days from notice to file an appeal, and if filed before the effective date of the intended action, existing benefits must automatically continue unchanged until the appeal is completed unless the recipient requests otherwise.

Establishes a county-level dispute resolution process that must be completed before state-level appeal, allowing applicants/recipients to request a county conference (including by telephone) to resolve disputes.

Transfers responsibility for state-level appeals to the Office of Administrative Courts, which must provide at least 10 days' notice of hearing date and ensure fair hearings comply with section 24-4-105, C.R.S., with administrative law judges presiding.

Appropriates $2,500 from the general fund to the Department of Health Care Policy and Financing for Medicaid management information system maintenance and projects in fiscal year 2016-17, based on anticipated receipt of $22,500 in federal funds.