PASCO

Yellow Brick Road Project

Zika Okoye — Wed, 17 Sep 2025 18:59:54 +0000

The Yellow Brick Road Project is a charitable foundation whose mission is to fund research to identify, understand, treat, and ultimately cure those impacted by HNRNPH2 mutations.

The post Yellow Brick Road Project appeared first on PASCO.

Arapahoe County

Zika Okoye — Thu, 04 Sep 2025 19:44:43 +0000

Look up an inmate, schedule a visit, find bond info and more. Learn More · Pay Taxes. Pay your taxes conveniently online, in person, by drop box, mail or phone.

The post Arapahoe County appeared first on PASCO.

Denver Public Schools

Zika Okoye — Thu, 04 Sep 2025 19:09:03 +0000

At Denver Public Schools, we’re focused on building a system that’s designed to help every student thrive. We’re re-focusing our efforts where they matter most: on creating classrooms that are vibrant centers of learning, where caring teachers are engaging their students in rigorous, culturally responsive experiences in order to lift all students toward a bright horizon.

The post Denver Public Schools appeared first on PASCO.

Family Voices Colorado

Zika Okoye — Thu, 04 Sep 2025 18:45:17 +0000

Family Voices Colorado is a grassroots organization run by parents of children with special healthcare needs. Every day we give parents the information and knowledge they need to navigate complex health care systems in order to get things like wheelchairs, oxygen, or a surgery for their children.

The post Family Voices Colorado appeared first on PASCO.

Intermountain Health

Zika Okoye — Thu, 04 Sep 2025 17:55:55 +0000

Intermountain Health is the largest nonprofit health system in the Intermountain West. We’re dedicated to creating healthier communities and helping our patients thrive.

The post Intermountain Health appeared first on PASCO.

Colorado Community Health Alliance

Zika Okoye — Tue, 29 Jul 2025 16:54:12 +0000

Colorado Community Health Alliance (CCHA) is the Health First Colorado (Colorado’s Medicaid Program) regional organization serving the counties of Boulder, Broomfield, Clear Creek, El Paso, Gilpin, Jefferson, Park and Teller. We administer physical and behavioral health benefits and coordinate care and services for approximately 380,000 members.

The post Colorado Community Health Alliance appeared first on PASCO.

Colorado Access

Zika Okoye — Thu, 24 Jul 2025 16:49:30 +0000

Serving your local Colorado communities with access to affordable and quality health care for 30 years.

The post Colorado Access appeared first on PASCO.

FWD Consultants

Sarah Southorn — Sat, 07 Jun 2025 23:49:03 +0000

FWD Mobility (Friends with Disabilities) is a local & responsive mobility company assisting clients with their independence while creating opportunities for increased inclusion in the community. With two locations, we serve the Denver area as well as the Colorado Springs area. (And everyone in between)

The post FWD Consultants appeared first on PASCO.

March Advocacy Corner

PASCO — Mon, 24 Mar 2025 20:54:35 +0000

Medicaid Budget News: What It Really Means for Caregivers Right Now

If you’ve seen headlines about a big federal budget cut to Medicaid, you’re not alone. There’s been a lot of noise, but here’s the truth: no cuts to Medicaid have been made yet. What passed in the U.S. House in February was a budget resolution — think of it as a wishlist, not a final decision.

We know it’s hard to hear talk about “billions in cuts” without wondering what it means for your job, your paycheck, and the people you care for. That’s why we want to break down what’s actually happening — and what’s not — in plain terms that matter to you.

What’s Not True

Some news reports are saying Medicaid has already been cut. That’s false. Right now, we’re in the early stages of budget talk. The House proposed $880 billion in cuts. The Senate’s proposal? Just $4 billion. They’re miles apart and won’t even start negotiating final details until summer.

This process can go all the way until September 30, 2025 and anything can change along the way.

What’s Actually on the Table

There are a few proposals floating around that could eventually affect Medicaid. Here’s what we’re watching and how it might (or might not) affect you:

Work Requirements: High chance of discussion, but doesn’t apply to Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS). No impact to you or the people you support.
Eliminating Enhanced Match for Expansion Population: High likelihood, but still no real impact to your day-to-day caregiving.
Provider Taxes, Per Capita Caps, FMAP changes: These could reduce funding to states, but nothing has been decided. We’re keeping a close eye because if they move forward, Colorado could lose some flexibility in how Medicaid dollars are spent — and that could ripple down to rate cuts or service changes. But we’re not there yet.

Closer to Home in Colorado

Colorado’s economy is still relatively strong, but the state is projecting a $1.16 billion gap in next year’s budget. Medicaid is a big part of the challenge. Just 4.7% of people on Medicaid in Colorado — those who rely on long-term services and supports — account for 42% of the cost.

That means lawmakers are looking hard at where they spend Medicaid dollars. There are real talks about rate cuts. But here’s where it gets better: HCPF is fighting to protect HCBS rates more than other Medicaid services. They know how essential you are.

Why Advocacy Matters

We know your work isn’t easy. You show up and you do this work because you care. Conversations happening at the Capitol can feel far away, but they can have a very real effect on your paycheck, your benefits, your clients, and your ability to keep doing this life-changing work.

We’re watching closely so you don’t have to. We’ll keep speaking up to protect your loved ones and make sure decision-makers understand that caregivers like you are the backbone of the system.

If you ever want to be more involved, reach out to your state and federal representative, your voice carries weight, especially when it comes from the heart.

Looking Ahead

As federal discussions continue in 2025, we’ll stay focused on protecting the services that support caregivers and families.

Thank you for everything you do to care for your loved ones and strengthen our community.

Advocacy sets PASCO apart. Explore caregiver options for your loved one—contact us today!

The post March Advocacy Corner appeared first on PASCO.

Navigating Colorado’s New EVV Attestation Requirements: Support for Caregivers

PASCO — Fri, 21 Mar 2025 00:20:51 +0000

Colorado’s Medicaid program now requires an annual attestation for caregivers who are exempt from Electronic Visit Verification (EVV). If you are a caregiver who lives with the person you care for (a “live-in” caregiver), you likely qualify for an EVV exemption – but to keep that exemption active, you must submit a brief attestation form once every 12 months. EVV is the system that electronically verifies home and community-based service visits, as required by federal law. We understand that this new paperwork might cause concern or confusion for caregivers already juggling many responsibilities. In this news post, we break down what the attestation requirement means, why it’s happening, and how our agency will support you every step of the way.

A caregiver completing the required EVV exemption attestation paperwork. Colorado now asks live-in caregivers to renew this form annually to keep their EVV exemption.

For many caregivers, the idea of extra paperwork can be frustrating. You might be wondering why this annual attestation is necessary or what happens if it’s missed. Below, we’ll explain the reasoning behind the policy, address common concerns, and – most importantly – assure you that our agency is here to help you through the process with compassion and support.

Annual Attestation Required for EVV Exemption

Under the new policy, an approved EVV exemption for a live-in caregiver is only valid for one year at a time. In other words, the state wants confirmation each year that you still qualify as a live-in caregiver. The attestation form is a simple declaration that you and the member you care for share the same residence, usually backed up by one or two documents (for example, a driver’s license or utility bill showing the shared address). According to the Colorado Department of Health Care Policy & Financing (HCPF), provider agencies must review and update this information annually, and any changes in the living situation must be documented immediately. This means if nothing changes, you just renew the form once a year – but if something does change (for example, your address), you’ll need to submit a new attestation at that time rather than waiting for the annual date.

What If I Don’t Submit or Renew the Attestation?

Failing to submit your attestation – or forgetting to renew it on time each year – could lead to serious issues with Medicaid reimbursement. If an up-to-date exemption form isn’t on file, then you are no longer considered exempt from EVV, meaning you would be required to clock in and out with EVV for every visit going forward. Visits provided without the required EVV records can trigger billing problems; Medicaid may deny those claims for services that weren’t properly verified. In short, letting your attestation lapse could result in delayed or lost payments for the care you’ve provided. We know no one wants to deal with that hassle or uncertainty, so it’s crucial to stay on top of the yearly renewal to protect your reimbursement.

Address Changes Require a New Attestation

Another important point: whenever there’s a change in your living arrangement or address, you must submit an updated attestation form. Colorado’s rules specify that any changes affecting a caregiver’s live-in status must be documented right away. Practically, this means if either you or the member you care for moves to a new residence (even if you move together to a new home), you need to fill out a new EVV exemption form reflecting the new address. Keeping your information current ensures that your exemption remains valid – otherwise, an outdated address on file could invalidate your live-in status and cause the same EVV/reimbursement issues mentioned above. Please let us know immediately if your address changes so we can help you update the paperwork promptly.

Why Colorado Requires Annual Attestation (The State’s Rationale)

The rationale behind the annual attestation comes down to compliance and program integrity. Federal law (the 21st Century Cures Act) requires all states, including Colorado, to implement EVV for certain home care services to ensure that billed services were actually delivered. While that law permits states to exempt live-in caregivers from EVV, Colorado must keep records proving who qualifies as a live-in caregiver. By having you attest each year, the state is making sure that your situation still meets the exemption criteria. This helps prevent any billing errors or misuse of the EVV exemption — for example, it avoids situations where someone might mistakenly claim the exemption without truly meeting the “live-in” requirements. According to HCPF, the goal is to strengthen oversight of the program while still maintaining flexibility for live-in caregivers. In other words, the state wants to protect the Medicaid program from potential fraud or mistakes, but they also recognize the importance of the live-in caregiver exemption and want to keep it available for families like yours. Requiring a yearly attestation is their way of balancing those obligations.

We Hear Your Concerns

We understand that many caregivers find this new process frustrating. You’re dedicating your time and energy to caring for your family member or client, and having to fill out an extra form every year (or whenever you move) may feel burdensome. You might be thinking, “I already proved I live with my client – why do I have to keep re-submitting this?” These feelings are completely understandable. It’s natural to feel a bit of paperwork fatigue, especially when you’re balancing caregiving duties with everyday life. Please know that we hear you and respect the effort it takes to comply with these rules. Our goal is to help make it as painless as possible and to keep you informed about why these steps are being required.

Our Commitment to Help You Through It

Please remember, you are not on your own in this. PASCO is here to support you through the attestation process so that your focus can remain on caregiving. Here are some ways we’re helping:

Reminder Alerts: We keep track of when your attestation is due for renewal. Expect to hear from us well before your form expires – we will send out reminders (around 60 days and 30 days in advance, as well as on the due date) so it doesn’t catch you by surprise. You’ll also get follow-ups if, for some reason, the deadline passes without renewal.
Help with Paperwork: If you have any questions about how to fill out the attestation form or what documents you need to provide as proof, our staff will gladly assist. We can walk you through the form step-by-step, ensure it’s filled out correctly, and help submit it to the proper entity (your provider agency or state, as applicable).
Address Change Updates: Should your address or living situation change, let us know right away. We’ll guide you through submitting a new attestation, so your exemption continues without interruption. This includes helping gather any needed proof of address and making sure the update is logged with HCPF.
Ongoing Support: We understand that policies and forms can be confusing. Whether it’s now or in the future, you can always reach out to us with concerns about EVV, attestation, or any other aspect of your caregiving responsibilities. Our team stays up-to-date with HCPF policy changes and will keep you informed, so you never have to navigate these changes alone.

Our goal is to ensure there are no disruptions in the care you deliver or in the compensation you receive. By working together on these requirements, we can keep everything running smoothly and make sure you continue to get reimbursed for your important work without any hiccups.

Moving Forward Together

Changes like this attestation requirement can be daunting, but we are confident that – together – we can meet this challenge with minimal hassle. Our priority is to ensure you can continue providing seamless, compassionate care without worrying about bureaucratic roadblocks. We appreciate your dedication and patience in adapting to these new rules. By staying proactive with the annual attestation and keeping open communication with us, you can rest assured that your EVV exemption will remain intact and your Medicaid reimbursements on track. Thank you for all that you do as caregivers. Our agency is here to stand by you and make sure that complying with these regulations is as straightforward and supportive as possible, so you can focus on what really matters: providing care to your loved ones and clients.

Sources: Colorado HCPF EVV Policy Updates and Guidelines – Live-In Caregiver Attestation Requirements and EVV Exemption Memos

See the Difference of Working with PASCO - Contact Us Today!

The post Navigating Colorado’s New EVV Attestation Requirements: Support for Caregivers appeared first on PASCO.