OTAC Advocacy Updates

With the uptick in advocacy and legislative needs, we need your support now more than ever!

How can you help?

• Become an OTAC member: your membership dues support our advocacy efforts and paying our amazing lobbyists! When we bring issues to the House and Senate, OTAC needs to be able to demonstrate that these issues are important to our membership. If we don't have OTAC members that work in these settings or are impacted by these issues, we cannot bring them forward!
• Join a committee or task group! Our OTAC board and committees are run by volunteers - we can always use more passionate people to volunteer their time! Our legislative committee meets the third Wednesday of the month at 5pm.
• Donate
  
  

 HB25-1016: Update!

Thank you for your tremendous support! Your letters and testimony played a vital role in the passage of OTAC’s groundbreaking bill on 3/17/25. This legislation updates the Colorado Occupational Therapy Practice Act by allowing OTs to prescribe durable medical equipment without a doctor’s order. We are proud to be the first state in the U.S. to enact such a law, and the bill is now headed to the governor’s office for final approval.

What This Means for You:

• Effective Date: The law will take effect in August 2025.
• Next Steps: At that time, we will provide educational resources in collaboration with PT State Legislation to help you navigate the changes.
• Important Note: Although your client’s insurance may still require a doctor’s order for coverage, this law is a significant step toward shifting current insurance guidelines.

Thank you again for your continued support!

Medicaid Reimbursement Rates - OTAC

The Occupational Therapy Association of Colorado is preparing for the 2025 legislative session, and we need your help! We would appreciate your participation in a brief survey on insurance and Medicaid reimbursement in Colorado. OTAC is using this data to help advocate for Medicaid reimbursement rate increases for you.

The survey should take about 10 minutes to complete. If you have any questions, please contact info@otacco.org.

Thank you very much for your time and participation!

Survey Link

Medicaid Provider Rate Review Public Meetings - Department of Health Care Policy and Financing 

Update March 21st: Important Update: Medicaid Outpatient Provider Rates

If you were unable to attend the meeting on Friday, 3/21, led by the Department of Health Care Policy & Financing (HCPF) regarding Medicaid outpatient provider rates, you can still submit your comments and feedback to: HCPF_RateReview@state.co.us. These meetings, hosted by HCPF, will continue throughout the year, but last Friday’s discussion focused on outpatient PT, ST, and OT rates. We will keep you informed about future opportunities to provide feedback and advocate against potential provider rate cuts. 

As Colorado’s legislature and Joint Budget Committee work to address a $1.2 billion deficit this year, Medicaid services could face significant changes. Your voice is more important than ever, especially if you work in an outpatient setting and serve clients with Medicaid. Please make your voice heard!

Medicaid Provider Rate Review Advisory Committee (MPRRAC)

Each year the Medicaid Provider Rate Review Advisory Committee (MPRRAC) focuses on a particular scope based on services under review for that year. Services are reviewed on a three-year basis, but are subject to change. Occupational therapy, speech therapy and physical therapy are up for review this year. 

Dates for 2025 are below:

Friday, July 18th, 2025 - Quarter 2A

Friday, July 25th, 2025 - Quarter 2B

Friday, August 22nd, 2025- Quarter 3

Friday, November 14th, 2025- Quarter 4

HCPF website with zoom link & more information on these meetings!

Colorado Early Intervention: Proposed Cuts

March 21tst: 

Great news for Colorado Early Intervention (EI) services! The Joint Budget Committee (JBC) recently approved an additional $2 million in funding to maintain current EI services through the remainder of the 2024-2025 fiscal year. The Colorado Department of Early Childhood (CDEC) has also stepped in with an additional $1.5 million to cover the shortfall. This is a significant win for EI advocates, with many JBC members personally invested in the success of these services. However, the victory is temporary. The JBC met on March 17, 2025, and discussed funding for FY 2025-2026. While there is funding allocated for EI in FY 2025-2026, the JBC was clear that they want to see "sustainability solutions" to reduce the cost of the EI program while still maintaining the quality of the services. CDEC is hosting provider meetings to gather input on proposed cost containment measures, offering a valuable opportunity for providers to influence decisions. For those interested, the JBC has begun discussions on potential changes for EI in the 2025-2026 budget, and providers are encouraged to participate in upcoming working sessions hosted by CDEC. Stay informed and engaged by checking the full meeting calendar here: CDEC Calendar. Follow the actions of the JBC here.

We are gathering information and working with our lobbyists on how we can support this issue. Are you interested in joining a task force? Have information? Please email info@otacco.org

CO Rehab Tri-Alliance Town Hall
First town hall with OTAC, APTA and CSHA!

Our organizations want you to be well-informed about our efforts in the Colorado General Assembly and our commitment to working together for the benefit of our professionals and all Coloradans.

The state is facing a $1B budget shortfall and lawmakers will have difficult decisions to balance the budget. Every cut option is on the table including Medicaid rates. Your association is also working on reducing administrative barriers and expanding your scope of practice to better serve your patients with DME, school sports physicals, creating a SLPA credential, and workers’ compensation.

Watch the recording!