As used in this part 4, unless the context otherwise requires:
(1) Advisory committee means the senior dental advisory committee created in section 25.5-3-406.
(2) Covered dental care services are to be defined by rules of the medical services board pursuant to section 25.5-3-404 and include but are not limited to diagnostic, preventive, and restorative care.
(3) Dental health-care services grant means a grant awarded to a qualified grantee pursuant to section 25.5-3-404.
(4) Eligible senior means an adult who is sixty years of age or older and who is economically disadvantaged as specified by rule of the medical services board.
(5) Program means the Colorado dental health care program for low-income seniors created pursuant to section 25.5-3-404.
(6) Qualified grantee means an entity that can demonstrate that it can provide or arrange for the provision of comprehensive dental and oral care services and may include but is not limited to:
(a) An area agency on aging, as defined in section 26-11-203, C.R.S.;
(b) A community-based organization or foundation;
(c) A federally qualified health center, as defined in the federal Social Security Act, 42 U.S.C. sec. 1395x (aa)(4); safety-net clinic; or health district;
(d) A local public health agency; or
(e) A private dental practice.
(7) Qualified provider means any person who is licensed to practice dentistry in Colorado or who employs a dentist licensed in Colorado and who is willing to accept reimbursement for covered dental services pursuant to this program.
Source: L. 2014: Entire part added, (SB 14-180), ch. 314, p. 1359, � 1, effective May 31. L. 2020: (6)(c) amended, (SB 20-136), ch. 70, p. 289, � 27, effective September 14.
Cross references: For the legislative declaration in SB 20-136, see section 1 of chapter 70, Session Laws of Colorado 2020.
25.5-3-404. Colorado dental health care program for low-income seniors - rules. (1) (a) There is created in the state department the Colorado dental health care program for low-income seniors to provide covered dental care services for eligible seniors who are not eligible for dental services under medicaid, the old age pension health and medical care program, or private insurance.
(b) To ensure the continuity of dental health care to low-income seniors, the state department and the department of public health and environment shall ensure that any individual who meets, on June 30, 2014, the eligibility requirements for dental services under the Colorado Dental Care Act of 1977, article 21 of title 25, C.R.S., prior to its repeal, remains eligible for dental services after June 30, 2014, through the Colorado Dental Care Act of 1977, medicaid, the old age pension health and medical care fund, or the program.
(2) The state department shall:
(a) In consultation with the advisory committee, review the operation and effectiveness of the program and develop a grant application under the program consistent with rules of the medical services board;
(b) Accept applications for dental health-care services grants from any qualified grantee;
(c) On and after July 1, 2015, award dental health-care services grants to qualified grantees to provide covered dental care services to eligible seniors;
(d) Pay dental health-care services grants within thirty days after approval by the state department;
(e) Ensure that all eligible seniors have access to services through the program; and
(f) Consider geographic distribution of funds among urban and rural areas in the state when making funding decisions.
(3) (a) Qualified grantees shall:
(I) Submit an application for a dental health-care services grant to the state department on the form developed by the state department;
(II) Provide outreach to targeted eligible seniors and dental care providers;
(III) Identify eligible seniors and qualified providers;
(IV) Demonstrate collaboration with community organizations;
(V) Ensure that eligible seniors receive covered dental care services efficiently without duplication of services;
(VI) Maintain records of eligible seniors served, dental care services provided, and moneys spent for a minimum of six years; and
(VII) Distribute grant funds to qualified providers in their service area or directly provide covered dental care services to eligible seniors in their service area.
(b) A qualified grantee may expend no more than seven percent of the amount of its grant for administrative purposes.
(c) A qualified grantee may also be a qualified provider if the person meets the qualifications of a qualified provider.
(4) Following recommendations of the state department and the advisory committee, the medical services board shall adopt rules pursuant to section 24-4-103, C.R.S., governing the program, including but not limited to:
(a) A definition of economically disadvantaged for purposes of eligibility;
(b) A description of dental services that may be provided to eligible seniors under the program; except that such services must include but not be limited to oral examination, diagnosis, treatment planning, emergency treatment, prophylaxis, X rays, partial and full dentures, replacement or repair of permanent teeth, removal of permanent teeth, fillings, periodontal treatment, and soft tissue treatment;
(c) Whether to require eligible seniors to make a co-payment and, if so, the circumstances and amount of the co-payment;
(d) A distribution formula for the availability of moneys to each area of the state; and
(e) Procedures, criteria, and standards for awarding dental health-care services grants.
Source: L. 2014: Entire part added, (SB 14-180), ch. 314, p. 1360, � 1, effective May 31. L. 2019: (2)(a) amended, (HB 19-1326), ch. 172, p. 2000, � 1, effective May 14.