Published: November 11, 2018
What to Expect of the ULTC 100.2 in Colorado

After applying for an HCBS Waiver through one of Colorado’s contracted Case Management Agencies, the next step will be a Uniform Long Term Care or ULTC 100.2 Assessment. ULTC 100.2 in Colorado determines level of care needed for long term services and supports. The good news is, the ULTC 100.2 is not a ‘test.’ As such, there is no preparation required. This post will cover what to expect with the ULTC 100.2 in Colorado.

What is ULTC 100.2 in Colorado?

ULTC 100.2 is a functional assessment tool specific to Colorado. Functional assessment tools are instruments used by state Medicaid services to determine an individual’s need for long term supports and services. The particular instrument used in our state is the Uniform Long Term Care or UTLC 100.2 Colorado. It is ‘uniform’ meaning it is used by all case management agencies in Colorado, statewide.

Basically, ULTC 100.2 is an assessment process that is documented in paperwork form. It’s completed in an interview-style questionnaire, initially prior to enrollment in Medicaid Waiver services and again annually thereafter. These are called the Initial 100.2 and the Continued Stay Review (CSR) 100.2, respectively. The ULTC 100.2 will need to be repeated annually, at a minimum, or when the participant’s needs or circumstances change significantly. ULTC 100.2 forms are available to be reviewed online here

The end result of the assessment is to certify the need for long term services and supports, particularly the kind that necessitate nursing home level of care. In order to qualify for an HCBS Waiver in Colorado, the ULTC 100.2 assessment must certify that the individual meets the definition of functional need for nursing home level of care.

Other helpful purposes for the ULTC 100.2

In addition to being used to certify functional need for nursing level of care, the ULTC 100.2 in Colorado:

1. aids in determining services and level of care,
2. helps determine which Waiver is best suited to the need of the applicant, and
3. is also helpful for identifying necessary services and supports regardless of the funding source.

What to Expect of the ULTC 100.2 in Colorado

First of all, you need to know that the ULTC 100.2 assessment takes place at the applicant’s home in a face to face interview. A representative from the Case Management Agency with which the applicant applied for an HCBS Waiver will meet with the applicant and any family members who wish to be present. The ULTC 100.2 consists of answering a lot of questions asked by the interviewer.

Types of questions that will be asked at ULTC 100.2 assessment

In the level of care determination, the interviewer will ask questions about how much support is needed in two key areas:

1. Activities of Daily Living (ADL), and
2. Supervision, which encompasses Behaviors and Memory Cognition. 

Questions about ADL

There are six categories of ADL which will be addressed in the interview. These include:

• Bathing
• Dressing
• Toileting
• Mobility
• Transferring
• Eating

Here are examples of types of questions that will be asked regarding ADL:

1. Does applicant bathe or shower and how often?
2. Does applicant need reminders or hands on assistance to bathe and who sets water temperature?
3. Does applicant need assistance getting in and out of shower/tub or assistance with washing and rinsing of body/hair?
4. Is applicant generally independent or does applicant you need assistance with toileting? What does that look like?
5. Does applicant have accidents or need for protective undergarments?
6. Is applicant on a bowel program or require ostomy or catheter care?

Similar types of questions are asked regarding all six ADL mentioned above.

Questions about supervision

Questions about supervision will be asked during the interview. Key areas addressed will be:

• Behavior, and
• Memory/ Cognition.

Below are sample questions about behavior and cognition that might be asked.

1. Does applicant ever harm himself or herself or others or cause property damage?
2. Does applicant need redirection? And what type of redirection? (e.g. Verbal cues? Hands-on?)
3. Who manages applicant’s money and purchases? Does applicant need assistance to complete paperwork?
4. Does applicant have the ability to recognize and respond to an emergency?

In Addition to the Interview: PMIP

Together with the ULTC 100.2 assessment will be a request for Professional Medical Information Page (PMIP) to be completed by the applicant’s physician. The purpose of the PMIP is to provide supporting information to the interview of the ULTC 100.2. The supporting information will include medication, diagnosis (if any), prognosis, diet, and allergies, etc.
The PMIP is an additional component to determining level of care and targeting criteria. As a part of the ULTC 100.2, the PMIP will need to be completed annually after Waiver enrollment.

Certification Requirements to Qualify for an HCBS Waiver in Colorado

To receive Medicaid Waiver certification through the ULTC 100.2, the assessment must document a moderate need for support in either the area of ADLs or Supervision, as determined by the scores on the ULTC 100.2.

Conclusion

As you can see, what to expect of the ULTC 100.2 in Colorado is no cause for worry. There’s no preparation required. All it requires is the applicant’s time commitment to the process and willingness to be open and honest about level of care needs with the interviewer. A copy of the full ULTC 100.2 assessment is available to be reviewed online here.

If you have any questions regarding applying for HCBS Waivers in Colorado, please contact The Independence Center at (719) 471-8181. As southern Colorado’s disability resource center, The Independence Center can help connect you with the right person to navigate the application process.