Colorado Health Institute's Tenth Anniversary Webinar Series

What are some opportunities for health care cost containment, and how does care coordination fit in? What were the key themes of the 2012 session of the Colorado General Assembly, and what's in store for 2013? How will an aging population affect Colorado’s state budget and health care workforce?

The answers to these questions—and more!—are available through a new webinar series available to Colorado health care leaders. As a part of their tenth anniversary celebration, Colorado Health Institute will be offering 10 free webinars throughout 2012. The webinars are designed to review and discuss timely health policy information. Each webinar will be held from noon-1:00pm.

Upcoming webinars include:

• June 6: 2012 Legislative Session in Review: Innovations in Health Care - Michele Lueck, President/CEO (Register)

• June 20: Reining in Growth in Health Spending - Amy Downs, Senior Director of Policy and Analysis and Sara Schmitt, Senior Analyst (Register)

• July 11: The Supreme Court and Health Reform: Implications for Colorado - Michele Lueck, President/CEO (Register)

• August 1: Addressing the Boomer Challenge: Long-Term Services and Supports in Colorado - Amy Downs, Senior Director of Policy and Analysis (Register)

State Exchange Profiles: Colorado

Kaiser Family Foundation has developed a summary of Colorado's Health Benefit Exchange and its structure.  Click here to read the full summary.

Raising Medicaid Primary Care Rates: Next Steps for States

The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) recently released long-awaited proposed regulations for implementing the Affordable Care Act's Medicaid primary care rate increase. Reimbursement rates for all types of health care services provided to Medicaid beneficiaries have historically lagged behind fees paid to providers treating Medicare beneficiaries or people with private insurance. But in 2013 and 2014, Medicaid primary care providers will be reimbursed by states on par with Medicare rates for certain services, with the federal government picking up the cost of the increase.

In a new blog post, Tricia McGinnis of the Center for Health Care Strategies offers takeaways from the proposed rule, the guidance states will require to carry out the change, and suggestions for implementation, including exploring strategies for confirming primary care provider eligibility.

PEAK Outreach Project Funding Opportunity!

The Colorado Department of Health Care Policy and Financing is providing funds to expand efforts to increase enrollment in the Colorado Medicaid and the Child Health Plan Plus (CHP+) programs through the use of the online Program Eligibility Application Kit (PEAK).

Applications are due via email no later than 3:00 pm, Monday, June 11, 2012.  Please click HERE for an application and outline of program specific information.  Questions regarding this project may be directed to Cindi Terra.

Insurance Coverage, Medical Homes Are Keys to Reducing Health Disparities

"A new analysis from The Commonwealth Fund shows that having both health insurance and a medical home—an accessible primary care practice that knows its patients and helps to coordinate their care—dramatically reduces disparities in health and health care. The analysis, which was based on the Biennial Health Insurance Survey, finds that when people with low incomes have both insurance and a medical home, they are nearly as likely as those with higher incomes to receive recommended preventive services and to rate their care as excellent or very good.

The findings, say the authors, affirm the importance of the Affordable Care Act's provisions to expand access to health coverage and promote new models of care delivery, including medical homes." Read more. (Source: The Commonwealth Fund)

EHR adoption, telemedicine feasible for Colorado's rural providers

"Rural health care -- despite numerous grants from the federal government -- generally gets the short end of the health IT stick when it comes to deploying a serviceable Internet connection. It is no different in Colorado, where laying fiber is a difficult and expensive process, and satellite reception is hard to come by in the mountainous and farmland regions.

However, thanks to a collaboration between the Colorado Regional Health Information Organization (CORHIO) -- the state's official HIE -- and the Colorado Telehealth Network (CTN), rural providers are not on the outside looking in for electronic health record (EHR) adoption and, eventually, telemedicine services via broadband Internet..." Read More (Source: HealthIT)

2012 Health Professions Scholarship Program

Applications are now being accepted for the 2012 Colorado Health Professions Scholarship Program, funded by The Colorado Health Foundation. Target groups for this scholarship include enrolled nurse practitioners (NP), Physican Assistants (PA), and Behavioral Health Students, and other types of medical degrees. 75% of the scholarships will go to NP's, PA's and Behavior health. 25% percent of the scholarships will go to other areas. Certificate programs do not qualify.

The award is a maximum of $30,000 over two years and eligibility includes:

• Be enrolled/accepted either at least half-time or full-time in a graduate level health professional program (Master's or Doctorate degree)
• Agree to practice in a rural and/or under served community upon completion of training for a minimum of 2-years.
• Be enrolled in an accredited Colorado institution of higher education. Online programs may be acceptable as long as the home institution is accredited in the State of Colorado

Deadline to apply is May 31st. The program is administered by the Central Colorado AHEC, visit their website to learn more.

Learn about Colorado Trust "Convening for Colorado" program

This new Colorado Trust program, Convening for Colorado, provides support to bring people together to discuss issues central to improving the health and well-being of Coloradans.  Grant support will be provided to nonprofits, community-based organizations, civic leaders and corporations/industries on an ongoing basis with the purpose of enabling stakeholders to share information, learn from experts, personally engage and actively deliberate with the goal of tackling a tough challenge or taking advantage of a timely opportunity.

The Colorado Trust invites you to register for a live webinar to learn more about this new, ongoing funding opportunity. On Thursday, June 7, 2012, 8:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m., Ned Calonge, MD, President and CEO of The Colorado Trust, will lead a presentation about Convening for Colorado, and Trust staff will answer your questions.  Click here for your invitation to the webinar.

Oral Health Issue Brief

Governor John Hickenlooper recently made children’s oral health one of Colorado's 10 winnable battles over the next five years. This is an important goal because oral disease can negatively impact a child’s performance in school, speech development, nutrition, self-esteem and sleep.

To help inform this winnable battle, three foundations – The Colorado Trust, Caring for Colorado Foundation and the Delta Dental of Colorado Foundation – jointly issued a new brief, Improving the Oral Health of Colorado's Children. Written by Diane Brunson, RDH, MPH, Director of Public Health, University of Colorado School of Dental Medicine, the brief details:

• the causes of oral disease,
• multiple prevention strategies,
• significant challenges in access to oral health care, and
• strategies for improving the oral health of Colorado children.

In addition to the brief, a two-page Executive Summary provides a high-level overview for policymakers.

We invite you to read this new information and to use these resources to help improve the health of Colorado children.

Save the Date: Safety Net Clinic Week 2012

Safety Net Clinic Week will be upon us in no time!  This year it will take place August 20th through August 24th.  More details are to come so be sure to check in with the Safety Net Scene and our website for details.

Improving Chronic Disease Care and Reducing Health Spending

The Commonwealth Fund Commission recently unveiled a community-based plan to enhance health and reduce spending by improving care for chronically ill patients and targeting quality improvement efforts to conditions that can yield the greatest benefit in a relatively short time. The initiative proposed by the Commission has the potential to help those most in need of coordinated care while also saving $184 billion in health spending over the next 10 years.

The report points out that 5 percent of the U.S. population accounts for 50 percent of all health care costs. Most people in this group have multiple chronic conditions, such as congestive heart failure, coronary artery disease, and diabetes—conditions for which there are well-defined, standard metrics for gauging quality of care and measuring improvement.

To learn more about the proposal and the impact it would have on patients, communities, and overall health spending, download The Performance Improvement Imperative: Utilizing a Coordinated, Community-Based Approach to Enhance Care and Lower Costs for Chronically Ill Patients. Also read the New England Journal of Medicine Perspective by Commission chair David Blumenthal, M.D.

Policy Speakout: Better health care through data collection

Article is written by Steve Holloway, Director of the Primary Care Office at the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment.

"Good public planning depends upon the sound evaluation of accurate and complete data. The Primary Care Office at the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment is among the many organizations across the state that are developing the health professional workforce to meet the state's current and future needs..."

Read the rest of the story

[Source: Colorado Health Foundation's Health Relay]

Health Education Webinars

Kaiser Permanente offers free live and recorded webinars on a variety of health education topics.

> Click here to learn more

We've moved and grown!

ClinicNET has moved its offices.  You can now find us here:

3033 S. Parker Rd., Suite 500
Aurora, CO 80014
720.863.7800
720.863.7801 (fax)

In addition to our move we are pleased to welcome our new staff member!  Maddie Snyder has joined ClinicNET as its Program Assistant.  She will be supporting data collection, online communications and more.  For updated staff contact information visit us online.

2012 Kids' Health Annual "Check Up"

Each year, Children’s Hospital Colorado works at the State Capitol to help pass laws that are good for kids’ health. The regular 2012 legislative session ended on May 9^th, so it’s time for Children’s Hospital Colorado annual “check-up” on how children’s issues fared at the legislature this year.

Please join Children’s Hospital Colorado to learn how kids’ health fared this legislative session!

WHAT: 2012 Kids’ Health Annual “Check-Up”

WHEN: Monday, May 21, Noon – 1pm

WHERE: Children’s Hospital Colorado Main Campus, Mt. Yale, 2^nd Floor Conference and Education Center

WHO: Children’s Hospital Colorado Government Affairs Team

This event is free, but space is limited, so click here to register today!

Lunch will not be provided, but you are welcome to bring a meal with you.

Behind the Stories with CPR's Health Reporter

Listen to the story

"There are some big shifts in health care policy in this country that mean people who didn’t have coverage before can get it. Our health reporter Eric Whitney has been searching out the people whose lives could change as a result.

He tells us the stories behind the local pieces he did on this topic ( listen to them here and here), and the NPR story he produced on it as well. And he talks about the Colorado Health Story project, and websites that lay odds on whether the U.S. Supreme Court will uphold or strike down the federal Affordable Care Act."

[Source: Colorado Public Radio]

AwDC: Continuing Work & Seizing Opportunities

The Colorado Coalition for the Medically Underserved (CCMU) keeping are close eye on the Medicaid expansion for adults without dependent children (AwDC) and appreciate all your hard work! 

Please continue to do outreach to the potentially eligible and let CCMU know how it's going! HCPF will keep the program at maximum capacity, so those who end up on the wait list will have a chance at coverage.

Visit CCMU's blog for the latest announcement from the Department of Health Care Policy and Financing (HCPF), including their timeline for enrollment through July. 

See below for exciting opportunities:

• The Connect Campaign has put together language to be used when talking directly to those potentially eligible for AwDC. You can access it here and use it in your organizations' communications and outreach. 
• Colorado's online application system (PEAK) has ongoing training opportunities, including application walk-throughs and support calls. Check out more information here. 
• Hunger Free Colorado is offering to send food assistance staff to coordinate with medical-only outreach and applications. They are also willing to provide materials for distribution about food assistance. If you are interested, contact Amanda Garrard (or via phone at 303-228-7959).
• The Hunger Free toll-free (with bilingual assistance!) hotline is always open for anyone to use in finding food resources or assistance with applications at 855-855-4626.

Any questions or suggestions? Let Aubrey at CCMU know!

New Webinar: Evolving Medical Home Payment Models to Better Support Triple Aim Goal, May 24, 2:30-4:00 pm (EDT)

Register Here

State medical home initiatives are not static. Many leading states have learned from early initiatives and are moving forward with new payment models that further drive system goals, including lowered costs, improved quality and increased patient satisfaction. On this NASHP medical home webinar, Colorado, Rhode Island, and Vermont program leaders describe advances in their medical home initiatives, including where they started and where they hope to go. This webcast is made possible by The Commonwealth Fund.

Free Webinar: Assess ICD-10 impact. Protect revenue.

Although the ICD-10 implementation date has been delayed until October 2014, it is still critical that practices start preparing for the transition now. In this webinar sponsored by Navicure, learn how practices can shift their focus from 5010 to ICD-10 and how planning ahead will assist with a smooth and successful transition.

Thursday, May 17th, 1pm (EST) ICD-10: Evaluating the Impact on Your Revenue Cycle. During this hour, you’ll hear Kim Reid, CPC, CPMA, CEMC, CPC-I, Director of ICD-10 Development and Training with the AAPC, discuss how to:

•     Evaluate the potential financial impact of ICD-10.
•     Develop a transition timeline, including where to locate resources about ICD-10.
•     Prepare for potential cash flow disruptions.

Participants can earn 1.0 Continuing Education Unit (CEU) from the AAPC by attending the live webinar.

Primary Care Fund 2012/2013 application released

The Primary Care Fund provides an allocation of moneys to health care providers that qualify under a specific criteria and that make basic health care services available in an outpatient setting to residents of Colorado who are considered medically indigent. Moneys are allocated based on the number of medically indigent patients served by one health care provider in an amount proportionate to the total number of medically indigent patients served by all health care providers who qualify for moneys from this fund.

Click here to access the application for 2012/2013.

Mental Health Report

Mental Health, United States, 2010, the latest in a series of publications issued biannually by SAMHSA since 1980, provides in-depth information regarding the current status of the mental health field.

This publication includes national-level statistical information on trends in both private- and public-sector behavioral health services, costs, and clients. It also includes state-level data and information about special populations such as children, military families, nursing home residents, and incarcerated individuals.

PEAK Updates

PEAK Outreach Project Funding Opportunity

HCPF will be making grant funding available for community partners to purchase a computer and equipment to increase access to PEAK in their organization. Details about how to apply will be available soon on the HCPF website at: www.colorado.gov/hcpf. The PEAK Outreach Team will also send out notification once the opportunity becomes available.

Introduction to PEAK Webinar for County and Community Partner Staff

Dates: June 6, July 3, August 1
Time: 9-10:30am

To join the webinar, please click HERE and enter the password: peak To hear the audio portion of the presentation, call (712) 432-0220 and enter the access code: 5642211#.

Application Walk-through Webinar

Dates: May 14, June 11, July 9, August 13
Time: 1-2:30pm

To join the webinar, click HERE for login information. To hear the audio portion of the call, dial (712) 432-0220 and enter the code: 5642211#.

Colorectal Cancer Stakeholder Forum

Friday, June 1, 2012; 8:30AM – 3:00PM

Do you work to educate and inform the provider community regarding prevention and early detection of colorectal cancer? Do you want to understand who's doing what in the area too?

Register to attend: http://crcforum.eventbrite.com
Take a short survey (whether you can attend or not): http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/2Z8GQSG

Mental Health First Aid

Mental Health America of Colorado is sponsoring a Mental Health First Aid Certification Course, spread over four Thursdays in May and June. Mental Health First Aid is a ground-breaking prevention program being implemented around the U.S. and the world that research has shown reduces stigma, enhances behavioral health literacy, and improves behavioral health.

When

• DAY ONE: Thursday, May 24th 2012 4:00 - 7:00pm
• DAY TWO: Thursday, May 31st 2012 4:00 - 7:00pm
• DAY THREE: Thursday, June 7th 2012 4:00 - 7:00pm
• DAY FOUR: Thursday, June 14th 2012 4:00 - 7:00pm

Where

• Mental Health America of Colorado
  1385 South Colorado Blvd.
  Building A, Suite 610
  Denver, Colorado 80222
  720-208-2239

Tuition for this course is $60. Payment is due by the first day of the course.
 > Click here to register

Updates from HCPF

Colorado Department of Health Care Policy and Financing's: At a Glance (April 2012) & CICP Newsletter (April 2012)

Webinar: The Future of CHIP and Children's Coverage

Monday, May 14, 2012; 2:00 - 3:00 pm (EDT)

The National Academy for State Health Policy is hosting a two-part May Webinar series on children’s coverage and health reform. In this first webcast, Catherine Hess, Managing Director at NASHP, will present key considerations outlined by CHIP Directors that policymakers should take into account when making health policy decisions that may affect children’s coverage now and into the future. Next, Stan Dorn, Senior Fellow at the Urban Institute Health Policy Center will outline future coverage options for low-income children based on findings from research conducted in California.

For more information, please contact Hannah Richardson: hrichardson@nashp.org.

CO Health Benefit Exchange (COHBE) Advisory Groups

Recently, the COHBE Board voted to move forward with establishing three Advisory Groups and to continue the work of the communications group under the name Outreach and Communications Advisory Group. Nominations for members of the new groups are being accepted until May 7, 2012 at 5pm. More information is available here.

Conference: 2012 Colorado Health Symposium

July 25-27, 2012; Keystone Resort & Conference Center

The Colorado Health Foundation's 2012 Health Symposium, "Health Equity: Bridging the Divides", will emphasize innovation and real-world solutions. The three-day conference challenges presenters and participants to define opportunities for greater affordability, access and choice, resulting in enhanced productivity, reduced health costs and ultimately improved lives. Attendance is limited and the Symposium sells out quickly.

> Register Now