HHS Secretary Tommy G. Thompson today announced approval of Colorado's request to continue for two more years a state program to provide mental health services for Medicaid beneficiaries through managed care.

The renewal of the Medicaid Mental Health Capitation and Managed Care waiver will be for the next two years. The overall objective of the program is to improve access to quality mental health services. This is aided by the Mental Health Assessment and Services Agency which assesses the need for services, refers the patient to a provider and then monitors the quality of care provided.

To further assure the quality of care provided under the managed care plan, the approval today is contingent on the state taking an even more active role in monitoring the program. For instance, the agreement calls for the state to conduct consumer satisfaction surveys, develop a timeline to analyze and monitor complaints, grievances and appeals, and be more active in monitoring services for children with special needs.

"I am pleased to renew Colorado's managed mental health care plan," said Thompson. "I am satisfied that the program assures access to needed mental health services, while at the same time assuring quality of those services."

The current renewal will allow the state to operate its program until April 2003.