New Free Online Workshop: Better Choices, Better Health®—Diabetes

Coloradans with high blood pressure, arthritis, diabetes, heart disease, cancer, or stroke can now access a free proven workshop that can help develop skills to better manage health.

The workshop, made available by The National Council on Aging (NCOA), has been rigorously tested by Stanford University and is considered one of the best-known self-management programs. The online resource is ideal for Coloradans who prefer an online format or are in areas without community-based Chronic Disease Self-Management Programs classes. Trained individuals, who also have diabetes, lead the workshops of roughly 25 participants.  Click here to register.

Employment Opportunity: Executive Director of La Plata Community Clinic

The La Plata Community Clinic is a new, donated care clinic that will open in late 2012 to serve low income adults in La Plata County with integrated medical, dental and behavioral health care services.  The Clinic Board seeks a FT candidate to provide leadership and to oversee an integrated medical care team. This position will direct and manage all clinic operations, including the recruitment, training and supervision of all volunteer providers and other volunteer assistants;  development of comprehensive patient services, related policies and protocols and clinic quality assurance and improvement programs;  fiscal management, resource development, strategic planning, community and board relations, marketing and resource development.  This position requires flexibility, problem solving, excellent community relations and above all collaborative leadership.

Required: 3 years of experience managing a community-based clinic, proven success in resource developing and financial planning (donors, events, grants); Bachelor or Master’s degree in healthcare preferred; will consider candidates in nonprofit, public, business administration or related fields with a strong understanding of clinical practice.  Competitive salary and benefit package.  Send resume and cover letter by AUGUST 16 to: LPCC@gmail.com ; a complete job description is available online.

Attend the 2012 NAFC Annual Summit

At the 2012 NAFC Annual Summit there will be great networking and educational opportunities, breakout sessions with topics that are key to Free and Charitable Clinics, and informational general sessions regarding Health Care Reform, the upcoming election and more!

WHEN - Monday, October 22, 20128:00 AM - Wednesday, October 24, 201211:30 AM Central Time
WHERE - Marriott San Antonio Rivercenter Hotel, 101 Bowie Street, San Antonio, TX 78205
FEE: View Event Fees

Click here to RSVP and learn more information about the summit.

Webinar: Addressing the Boomer Challenge: Long-Term Services and Supports in Colorado

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. 


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

Mortality and Access to Care among Adults after State Medicaid Expansions

"Several states have expanded Medicaid eligibility for adults in the past decade, and the Affordable Care Act allows states to expand Medicaid dramatically in 2014. Yet the effect of such changes on adults' health remains unclear. We examined whether Medicaid expansions were associated with changes in mortality and other health-related measures...State Medicaid expansions to cover low-income adults were significantly associated with reduced mortality as well as improved coverage, access to care, and self-reported health."  Read entire study.  [Source: The New England Journal of Medicine]

What are your plans for SAFETY NET CLINIC WEEK 2012?

Do you have any activities or classes already planned during that week that could be highlighted by Safety Net Clinic Week? Back to school vaccinations? Sports physicals? Try offering a free community nutrition or fitness class during the week, or plan a Read-Along for children to listen to a story about health and act out the parts for the audience. If you are advertising back-to-school physicals, invite local varsity athletes to come and teach kids new sports skills for the upcoming school year.  Or even host a staff and volunteer breakfast to thank your employees for the hard work they do all year. Remember, whatever you do, please let us know. Contact Charlotte Kaye for more information.

New Approaches to Paying for Health Care: Implications for Quality Improvement and Cost Containment in Colorado

The Center for Improving Value in Health Care (CIVHC) and the Colorado Health Institute (CHI) released a new report that examines strategies to reform the health care payment system, how the new models are being used in Colorado and their potential impact on improving quality and controlling costs.  Click here to read the report, "New Approaches to Paying for Health Care: Implications for Quality Improvement and Cost Containment in Colorado."

Save the Date: J-1 Visa Waiver Webinar

An informative live presentation on the J-1 Visa Waiver Program including speakers from the Primary Care Office, Colorado Provider Recruitment and testimony from a current J-1 sponsor.

________________________________________

When:  Tuesday, September 11, 2012

  10:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.

Cost: Free

Includes an interactive question and answer session.

________________________________________

Formal Registration and More Information to Follow!

Presented by: 

         

Kaiser Permanente Community Benefits Program Institute for Healthcare Improvement

Through a generous grant from Kaiser Permanente, ClinicNET is pleased to be able to offer contributing affiliate clinic leaders access to conference scholarships and travel support funding to attend the Institute for Healthcare Improvement (IHI) 24th Annual National Forum on Quality Improvement in Healthcare, December 9-12, 2012 in Orlando, Florida. IHI is an independent nonprofit organization that works to accelerate improvement by building the will for change, cultivating concepts for improving patient care, and helping health care systems put those ideas into action.  Click here to learn more about this exciting opportunity!

Tapping New Health Funding Following the Supreme Court Ruling

Thursday, July 26th @ 2:00pm Eastern Time

Now that the Supreme Court has finally ruled on the constitutionality of the Affordable Care Act, billions of federal dollars for improving the nation's health care system are up for grabs. That's why we invite you to join us next Thursday, July 26th, from 12:00 to 1:15 pm MTN, for this information-packed event. Register online now.

Call for Presentations and Posters on Health IT and the Underserved

The Association of Clinicians for the Underserved invites interested presenters to submit abstracts for workshops and posters for its first conference on Health IT for the Underserved to be held on March 7-8 at the Poughkeepsie Grand Hotel in Poughkeepsie, NY. Presentations are sought on the use of health IT to improve patient care and outcomes, including:  health technology tools, workforce training, patient engagement, team-based technology, patient-centered medical homes (PCMH) and meaningful use (MU), mobile technology, telehealth, and programs for special populations, such as migrant, homeless, or those living in public housing.

Please submit your abstract online. The deadline for abstract submissions is September 1, 2012.  Click here for more information. 

Implementing Insurance Exchanges: Three Pioneering States

California, Colorado, and Maryland were among the first states to enact legislation establishing the health insurance exchanges called for in the Affordable Care Act. In a new Commonwealth Fund issue brief, Mark Hall and Katharine Swartz examine the divergent paths taken by these pioneering states. 

One Month until Safety Net Clinic Week 2012! Are you ready?

As we reach the one month countdown to Safety Net Clinic Week 2012, ClinicNET and Colorado Rural Health Center would like to encourage clinics to capitalize on the week as an opportunity to highlight your clinic and the impact you are making in your communities daily.  Check out our toolkit which has templates to make coordinating events and publicity easy during Safety Net Clinic Week 2012. Have you included anything on your website, in a newsletter, or an email update about Safety Net Clinic Week? The toolkit includes sample text and the Safety Net Clinic Week logo for your use! Feel free to customize! Remember, whatever you do, please let us know. Contact Charlotte Kaye, Project Coordinator for Safety Net Clinic Week 2012, for more information.

Funding Opportunity Deadline Approaching! Investing in Colorado’s Health Care Safety Net - Building Organizational Capacity for the Future

"Grant awards will be used to support technical assistance and implementation activities geared towards strengthening the capacity of Colorado’s safety net clinics.

Deadline for Applications:

August 14, 2012 at 5:00pm MDT

Application instructions and materials can be accessed, submitted and completed via the Caring for Colorado Foundation website at www.caringforcolorado.org.

For more information, please contact Colleen Church, Senior Program Officer, at cchurch@caringforcolorado.org.

Non-profit clinics in the following categories are eligible to apply: charitable/free health clinics, community-based health clinics, FQHC’s and FQHC look-alikes, public health clinics and rural health clinics. For-profit clinics serving vulnerable populations may also be eligible."

Click here to read more about this funding opportunity. (Source: Caring for Colorado)

Nearing the Adult without Dependent Children (AwDC) Cap & Other Announcements

Click here to view the latest news from the Connect Campaign including information about:

• HCPF and the Department of Human Services two-day regional conferences at 7 locations around the state.
• iFoster is offering low-cost refurbished computers and laptops to nonprofits who work with low-income families.

ClinicNET affiliates please let us know about your/your patients experiences with AwDC!

CHI Presents on the 5 Biggest Questions for Colora...

The Rural Voice: CHI Presents on the 5 Biggest Questions for Colora...: Do you want to know more about the implications of the Supreme Court's recent ruling on the Affordable Care Act? The Colorado Health Institu...

Webinar: Using Data for Evidence-Based Quality Improvement

Health Resources and Services Administration - Health Information Technology and Quality Webinar:  “Using Data for Evidence-Based Quality Improvement”
Friday, July 27, 2012 -- 12:00 pm MTN

The webinar will feature presenters including a quality improvement specialist from the Institute for Healthcare Improvement who will focus broadly on quality improvement.  The other two presenters, HRSA grantees from rural and health center settings, will provide useful tips on obtaining data from EHRs, as well as using this information to drive quality improvement and implement practice changes.  Click here to register.

Free Diabetes Patient “Videonovela” DVD in Spanish

The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) is offering medical providers with Spanish-speaking type 2 diabetes patients free copies of a DVD of its new Aprende a vivir videonovela. Using telenovela-style drama, Aprende a vivir tells the story of Don Felipe, head of the Jiménez family, and his health problems caused by poor management of his type 2 diabetes The videonovela supports clinicians in getting their Spanish-speaking people type 2 diabetes patients to adhere to their medication, dietary, and exercise instructions. To view the videonovela, go to http://healthcare411.org/aprendeavivir.aspx. or AHRQ's Spanish-language Facebook page, http://www.facebook.com/AHRQehc.espanol.

Providers interested in obtaining the DVD only or a kit with the DVD plus AHRQ patient brochures in Spanish that compare oral diabetes medications as well as treatments for high blood pressure and elevated cholesterol should contact bob.isquith@ahrq.hhs.gov.

Apply for the Colorado Health Service Corps

Certain health professionals may be eligible to receive repayment of qualified student loans if they practice full time, in a Health Professional Shortage Area, delivering primary health care services, in a public or nonprofit clinic. The practice must accept public insurance and offer discounted services to low-income, uninsured patients. Nontaxable awards may be made up to $35,000 for physicians and dentists; up to $20,000 for physician assistants, advanced practice nurses and mental health providers; and up to $7,500 for dental hygienists for each year of service. Certain physicians who work for a federally qualified health center, rural health clinic, community clinic or are a graduate of the Rose or Swedish Family Medicine Residency programs may be eligible for awards of up to $50,000 per year. All contracts are for three years, though the program’s goal is to facilitate long-term retention in an underserved Colorado community far beyond a service obligation.

The Colorado Health Service Corps provider application opens September 1, 2012 and closes September 30, 2012.  Read more. (Source: Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment)

Workshop: Turning ICD-9 into ICD-10

Presented by Todd Welter, MS, CPC and Susan Whitney, CPC, CPC-I.

Increased level of specificity in provider documentation is at the heart of the ICD-10 transition. All providers will need to be trained! Incomplete documentation will result in delays with claims submission and ultimately impact your revenue and cash flow! Welter and Whitney will take the top diagnosis codes used in a rural health practice/setting and help you, and ultimately your providers, understand what changes will need to be made in the provider’s documentation to maintain timely and accurate claims submission and claims payments

To register please click on one of the four locations below. If you have any questions please contact Courtnay Ryan at cr@coruralhealth.org Hope to see you there!!

• September 18th - Holyoke, CO
• September 20th - Del Norte, CO
• September 25th - Grand Junction, CO
• September 28th - Webinar

(Source: Colorado Rural Health Center)

HCPF Provider Bulletin

Click here to read the July Provider bulletin. The index includes:

In this issue:
All Providers ........................................ 1
PAR Submission.................................... 1
Nurse Advice Line ................................. 2
Implementing the SPA for TCM............. 2
Independence Day Holiday ................... 2
Ambulatory Surgical Centers (ASCs) 3
Billing Reminder .................................... 3
Dental and Orthodontic Providers..... 3
PAR Submission.................................... 3
Dialysis Providers ............................... 3
Billing Reminder .................................... 3
DME Providers..................................... 3
AACDs, Electrical Stimulation Devices, & Apnea Monitors Benefit Coverage Standards3
Emergency & Non-Emergency Medical Transportation Providers.................... 3
1% Rate Reduction - Effective July 2012 .....3
Home Health Providers....................... 4
PAR Submission.................................... 4
Practitioners......................................... 4
Using CPT Code 11981......................... 4
School-Based Health Center (SBHC) Providers .............................................. 4
Benefit Coverage Standard ................... 4
Therapy Providers............................... 4
Combined 48 Unit Limit Postponed....... 4
Vision Providers .................................. 5
Coverage of Vision Therapy.................. 5
Pharmacy Providers............................ 6
Next DUR Board Meeting...................... 6
Prior Authorization Updates................... 6
COBManager Process for Pharmacy Claims 6
PDL Update ........................................... 6
Next P&T Committee Meeting............... 7
July and August 2012 Provider Workshops......................................................... 7
Transportation Rates & PAR Requirements..................Attachment A

Promoting Integrated Care in the Colorado Health Care System Part II

"House Bill (H.B.) 11-1242 of the First Regular Session of the 68th General Assembly was passed in 2011, creating Section 25.5-4-418 of the Colorado Revised Statutes, which requires the Colorado State Department of Health Care Policy and Financing (the Department) to report on state and federal laws affecting the integrated delivery of physical and behavioral health care, as well as barriers and incentives to delivering integrated care.

The importance of integrated care, which “addresses the mental health, including substance use disorder, oral health, and physical health needs of the patient at the time of health care services,” has been acknowledged and declared by the State of Colorado via H.B. 11-1242. The purpose of this report is to determine why fully integrated care is not yet achieved by examining the perspectives of those who provide the care and implement the system: health care providers, representatives from provider associations and managed care groups, and state agency representatives..." Read more.  (Source: Colorado Department of Health Care Policy and Financing)

New items added to the Safety Net Clinic Toolkit!

New items are continuing to be added to the Safety Net Clinic Week 2012 toolkit.  A template for an Open House invitation and name badges/stickers are now included in the toolkit. Please contact us if there is anything we can do to help your clinic participate in Safety Net Clinic Week. Click here to view the toolkit.

To stay connected and learn about future updates for Safety Net Clinic Week 2012, please “like” ClinicNET on Facebook. Click here to visit our page. 

National Telehealth Webinar "Clinical Applications"

"Clinical Applications" on Thursday, July 19, 2012 @ 12:00 PM MDT

This presentation will discuss real-time & store-forward clinical applications amenable to telemedicine & how they help underserved areas. Tips for successful teleconsultations will be provided and a discussion of the limitations of teleconsults will also be addressed.  Click here to register for the webinar.

Presented by:
Ronald S. Weinstein, MD, Director, Arizona Telemedicine Program, President Emeritus, American Telemedicine Association

Stay Connected

Social networks are becoming more and more important for communicating in today’s busy world.  ClinicNET uses Twitter and Facebook to stay engaged and informed.  These social media platforms are real opportunities for clinics and collaborators to connect with ClinicNET.    We encourage you to “follow us” on Twitter or “like us” on Facebook.  By doing so, ClinicNET will be better equipped to follow your activities and vice versa, creating opportunities for spreading news to a wider audience.

We also ask that if you have a mailing that you distribute to your supporters that you include us (brooke.powers@clinicnet.org) on your listserv(s).  This allows us to follow what you are doing and identify areas of need —thus enabling us to seek solutions to better support the safety net.  

If you have any questions about connecting with ClinicNET through social media please contact Maddie Snyder, madelyne.snyder@clinicnet.org.

Expanding the National Diabetes Prevention Program Network— New Funding Available

A new funding opportunity announcement (FOA) has been released by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The FOA is entitled PPHF 2012 - National Diabetes Prevention Program: Preventing Type 2 Diabetes Among People at High Risk, Financed Solely by 2012 Prevention and Public Health Funds.

Application deadline is Tuesday, July 31, 2012, 5:00pm, EST.  Click here for more information and to access the application package online.

AMA Offers Online Tutorial to Help with Health IT

"The American Medical Association plans to launch several Web-based tutorials to help physicians integrate health information technology into their practices.

The tutorials offered are: e-prescribing, pre-visit planning, and point-of-care documentation. Each of the tutorials focuses on understanding workflow and what changes to expect with new technologies.

To read the entire article, click here."  (Source: Colorado Rural Health Center)

CIVHC Connect Meetings - Topic: Care Transitions and Palliative Care

CIVHC holds quarterly "CIVHC Connect" meetings to inform and engage stakeholders and interested parties about the status of our statewide initiatives. The next CIVHC Connect is dedicated to our Health Care Delivery System Redesign efforts specific to Care Transitions and Palliative Care. Don't miss this opportunity to learn what's happening across Colorado to reach the Triple Aim through coordinated, patient-centered delivery systems.

The meeting will be offered twice for convenience - July 10th 2-4pm (COPIC Founders Board Room) and again on July 18th 2-4pm (The Colorado Trust Sabin Room).

Register today (in-person space is limited, Webinar option available):

• July 10th, 2-4pm (COPIC, Founders Board Room)
• Webinar Registration or In-person RSVP , OR
   
• July 18th, 2-4pm (The Colorado Trust, Sabin Room)
• Webinar Registration or In-person RSVP 

Click here to view past CIVHC Connect presentations.

Improving Children's Health through Federal Collaboration

Webinar Summary:  This Session will include an overview of the new health reform law, the Affordable Care Act, and highlight those sections of the law that are especially helpful for children and families. The Affordable Care Act increases access to necessary preventative services to help keep children and families healthy. This session will describe the new protections for health insurance consumers, and provisions to lower costs and improve care.

When: Thursday, July 12, 2012,4:00 PM – 5:30 PM EST (2:00 PM – 3:30 PM MST)

Click here to register.

Webinar: The Supreme Court and Health Reform: Implications for Colorado

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.

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

ClinicNET’s Executive Director joins Free Clinics of the Western Region Board

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

July 2, 2012

Contact:

Maddie Snyder, Program Assistant

720.863.7804

madelyne.snyder @clinicnet.org

www.ClinicNET.org

ClinicNET’s Executive Director joins Free Clinics of the Western Region Board

Aurora, CO– ClinicNET’s Executive Director, Sharon Adams, has joined the Board of Directors of the Free Clinics of the Western Region (FCWR).  The FCWR is a membership association that includes individual clinics and state associations of clinics from Arizona, California, Colorado, Idaho, New Mexico, Nevada, Oregon, Utah, Washington and Wyoming.  The association is committed to promoting access to basic health care services for the underserved and indigent. 

Members are provided networking, educational opportunities and resource sharing to help them provide empowering, dignified and non-discriminatory health care and social services to those in need.

Ms. Adams’ participation on FCWR’s Board of Directors brings a Colorado perspective and voice to the Board and to Membership discussions about health care reform implementation and other influencers on access to care for low-income and indigent individuals.      

“I am delighted to join the board in growing and diversifying membership and look forward to working with members to strengthen our advocacy for free and charitable clinics.  ClinicNET desires more interaction with other leading and like-minded organizations, so this is a welcome opportunity from that perspective as well,” said Adams.

###

About ClinicNET

Incorporated in 2007, ClinicNET is a non-profit committed to strengthening Colorado’s safety net by empowering organizations that provide health care to vulnerable populations.   For more information about ClinicNET call 720-863-7800 or go to www.clinicnet.org .