COLLABORATIVE SCOPES OF CARE STUDY
 In February 2008, Governor Ritter issued Executive Order B 003 08, the Collaborative Scopes of Care Study, noting that "...we do not have sufficient numbers of providers, especially physicians and dentists, to meet the current [health care] needs of Coloradans. The problem is especially acute in rural and other underserved areas." Governor Ritter called for a research group to study the scope of health care services that advance practice nurses, physician assistants and dental hygienists are allowed to provide.
This study, which was conducted by the Colorado Health Institute, with support from The Colorado Trust and the Caring for Colorado Foundation, has been completed, and the findings will be used to inform legislative discussion in the 2009 session. Among other recommendations, the report suggests that policymakers consider:
- Reimbursement policies to enhance the use of dental hygienists in areas where oral health access is lacking
- More prescriptive authority for advance practice nurses (APN)
- The delivery of health care through interdisciplinary teams including physicians, APNs and other health care professionals
- Require insurers to disclose to the Colorado Insurance Commissioner their reimbursement policies for allied health professionals providing identical services to physicians and dentists
- Through demonstration projects, test the effectiveness, safety and quality of care provided by advance practice nurses, physician assistants and dental hygienists as primary health care providers in medically underserved areas of Colorado.
The full report is available from the Colorado Health Institute. For additional information, please contact Laurel Petralia, Program Officer, 303-837-1200, laurel@coloradotrust.org.
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