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House advances bill allowing Medicaid use of direct primary care with two-year review
Summary
The House adopted House Bill 10-96 to allow Colorado Medicaid members to use direct primary care providers (paying cash), with sponsors adding a 2029 review to examine data on market impacts and Medicaid outcomes; supporters framed the measure as a rural access solution.
The Colorado House on Feb. 20 adopted House Bill 10-96, which allows Medicaid members to access direct primary care (DPC) providers who accept cash payments and requires a two-year review of data to assess market effects on Medicaid coverage and care.
Representative Johnson, the bill mover, said the change responds to rural access problems where Medicaid patients face long waits or must travel long distances for nonurgent care. Johnson said the committee added an amendment calling for a review in 2029 to "hear from HICPAF on the data collecting if this really did skew the market or not," a procedure sponsors said will help assess whether DPC affects traditional care delivery.
Representative Frey, a co-sponsor, said the two-year amendment will allow stakeholders to evaluate whether DPC changes outcomes for Medicaid clients, providers and members. Representative Ferre, who joined the bill, described it as a potential option for rural communities dealing with provider shortages and said the data review was designed to address concerns.
Sponsors said the bill is opt-in and does not force providers or patients to participate. The health and human services committee report was adopted and the bill passed the House on second reading by voice vote.
