Webinar: Moving Forward with Meaningful Use in the HCH Setting

Thursday, November 8, 2012 at 3 p.m. MST

This webinar will address the key elements to integrating meaningful use (MU) of health information into the HCH practice setting. The office of CMS will address questions related to the MU stage 1 and 2 and the core requirements for attestation. Christ Community Health Services will share their experience in implementing MU into their care delivery system.

Presenters:

•     Anna Gard, FNP-BC; Consultant on PCMH and MU, NHCHC; Health Disparities Consultant, Association of Clinicians for the Underserved; Glenside, Pennsylvania
•     Lance Lutrell, Operations Analyst, Christ Community Health Services
•     Rob Anthony, Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, Office of Public Management, Partners Relations Group

Click here to register.

Department of Health Care Policy and Financing October issue of At a Glance

The October At a Glance publication provides updates from the Colorado Department of Health Care Policy and Financing.

Remembering David Lack

It is with great sadness that we share the passing of David Lack, a longtime leader and supporter of Colorado's health care safety net community.  As a ClinicNET board member, David is remembered for his governing skills, strategic thinking and program development insight.  He always put first the clinics and providers we serve.  As a friend, David is remembered for his selflessness, his love for his family, his commitment to his faith, and his ability to empower others.  We express our sincere condolences to the Lack family, friends, and all those whose lives were touched by David.

ClinicNET's Sharon Adams with David Lack

Upcoming "Introduction to PEAK" Webinars for County and Community Partner Staff

Join the PEAK Outreach Team for the 1.5 hour Introduction to PEAK webinar where they will present the rationale behind why PEAK was created, review what functionality is available on PEAK, share support materials and other resources available to you, and discuss ways you can use PEAK to assist clients.

Upcoming webinars will be offered on the following dates from 9:00 - 10:30AM:

    Wednesday, November 7th, 2012
    Wednesday, December 5th, 2012

Click here to view the PEAK Outreach Team calendar for more details.

Medicaid Eligibility & Enrollment Final Rule Webinars

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, Center for Medicaid and CHIP Services hosted a series of webinars to explain key components of the Medicaid Eligibility final rule.  The webinar materials, including an audio recording and transcript, are available online.

New CHAS Issue Brief on Who is Using the Emergency Department and Why

"The Colorado Trust has released a new issue brief, An Examination of Emergency Department Use in Colorado, based on data from the 2011 Colorado Health Access Survey (CHAS). The brief provides a look at the frequency with which Coloradans visit the emergency department, who is using it most often and why it is being used. Hospital emergency departments are unique sources of medical care, operating 24 hours a day and offering a wide variety of services. The question of how and when emergency departments are used has numerous implications for policy issues such as expanding health insurance coverage, containing health care costs and improving the quality of care..." Click here to read the brief.  [Source: The Colorado Trust]

Report: Issues and Policy Options in Sustaining a Safety Net Infrastructure to Meet the Health Care Needs of Vulnerable Populations

"As a result of coverage expansions under the ACA, the mix of reimbursement to health care providers will change. While safety net providers are expected to remain an important source of care for vulnerable populations, including the newly insured, the ramifications of changes in the amount and mix of insurance coverage remain unclear. This report, the third in a series that reflects the work of the National Workgroup on integrating a Safety Net into Health Care Reform Implementation, addresses the workforce and financing infrastructure needed to support a sustainable safety net to serve vulnerable populations."  Read the full report.  [Source: NASHP]

The Colorado Health Foundation is looking for 'Healthy Places'

"The Colorado Health Foundation has launched "Healthy Places: Designing an Active Colorado," a five-year, $4.5 million initiative. Healthy Places promotes communities where it is easier to engage in daily physical activities that encourage movement and connection. The initiative recognizes the importance of the "built environment"  in getting people active and fighting obesity...The Foundation invites responses from Colorado communities that want to improve their built environments to encourage active lifestyles. Entities applying for the RFP must be Colorado organizations classified as tax-exempt under section 501(c)(3) or as Colorado public agencies..."  Click here to learn more.  [Source: Colorado Health Foundation]

The ICD-10 Planning Checklist

"Last week, CMS released an ICD-10 Planning Checklist to assist providers, payers and vendors in preparation for the ICD-10 transition set for October 1, 2014. Whether you've already started or are just beginning your ICD-10 transition, you will need to thoughtfully plan for the transition and then communicate those strategies to internal staff and external partners..."  Read more about planning for the transition.  [Source: Colorado Rural Health Center]

Essential Community Provider Application & FAQs

If you have not done so already ClinicNET encourages you to apply for the Essential Community Provider (ECP) designation through the Colorado Department of Health Care Policy and Financing (HCPF). This designation will be relative to Colorado Health Benefit Exchange (COHBE). In order to be designated as an Essential Community Provider (ECP), a provider must demonstrate that it meets the requirements of Section 25.5-5-403 C.R.S. (2006). These regulations require that the ECP:

• Has historically served medically needy or medically indigent patients and demonstrates a commitment to serve low-income and medically indigent populations who make up a significant portion of its patient population or, in the case of a sole community provider, serves the medically indigent patients within its medical capability; and

• Waives charges or charges for services on a sliding scale based on income and does not restrict access or services because of a client's financial limitations.

ClinicNET encourages you to apply for ECP designation sooner than later. You can find the application online. E-mail your completed application as a PDF to Teresa.craig@state.co.us or fax it attn: Teresa Craig at 303-866-2573 or mail to:

Colorado Department of Health Care Policy and Financing

Attn: Teresa Craig

1570 Grant Street

Denver, CO 80203

CHP+ Newsletter October 2012

"This newsletter keeps you up-to-date on CHP+, Family Medicaid (including Children’s Buy-In), and Adult Medicaid (specifically the Adult Buy-in and Adults without Dependent Children) programs..."  Click here to read the full newsletter.  [Source: Colorado Department of Health Care Policy and Financing]

Effective Communication, The Next Wave Of The ADA

Date:     Thu, Oct 25, 2012
Time:     12:00 PM - 1:00 PM MDT 

"Colorado Access's Regional Care Collaborative Organizations (RCCOs) are pleased to offer a complimentary webinar titled, "Effective Communication, The Next Wave Of The ADA."

Julie Reiskin, the Executive Director of the Colorado Cross-Disability Coalition, will be facilitating this webinar designed for RCCO providers and community partners."  Click here to learn more and to register.

Medicaid and CHP+ Policy Changes

Click here to view Medicaid and CHP+ Policy Changes Effective January 1, 2013. 

MJJ and Seed Grant Applications Due November 1

"The Marva Jean Jackson (MJJ) Rural Community Health Scholarships Program can be used to help pay for the training and/or education of a local healthcare provider located at rural facilities or community groups. Colorado Rural Health Center (CRHC) will match, two-to-one, the support provided, up to $1,000 a year...Click here to learn more and find out how to apply. Deadline to apply is November 1...

Seed money is available for purposes or projects whose intent matches CRHC's mission: enhancing healthcare services in Colorado by providing information, education, linkages, tools & energy toward addressing rural healthcare issues...Click here to learn more and find out how to apply. Deadline to apply is November 1."  Read more.  [Source: Colorado Rural Health Center]

Potential Effects of the Affordable Care Act

"An estimated 3 million children will gain dental benefits by 2018 through health insurance exchanges, roughly a 5 percent increase over the number of children with private benefits currently, the Association said in a report on potential effects of the Affordable Care Act on dentistry...The ACA does not address coverage for adult dental benefits. However, some states are looking at adult coverage as a potential optional benefit after the ACA-mandated health benefit exchanges are in place."  Read more.  [Source: American Dental Association]

Healthy Living Initiatives Top Ten Innovations

"Two years ago the Department of Health Care Policy and Financing began working on the Healthy Living Initiatives, addressing issues of health promotion and disease prevention for the Medicaid/ CHP+ populations.  The Department has identified four priority areas for health promotion: oral health, behavioral health (with a focus on depression), nutrition and fitness (with a focus on obesity), and tobacco cessation. Following are the top ten innovations for the first two years. Details are available on the Healthy Living web page...For questions, contact Lisa Waugh at 303-866-2029; lisa.waugh@state.co.us and be sure to check out the Department of Health Care Policy and Financing's website for more great tips and factsheets!"  [Source: COPrevent]

Connect Campaign: Broadening the Focus

"The Connect Campaign recognizes that many issues that AwDC face are also faced by the larger Medicaid population, so we will be shifting the project's focus to making Medicaid more efficient and effective. Read more here." Click here to read more about this shift.  [Source: The Connect Campaign]

New Meaningful Use Case Studies Available

"The National Learning Consortium (NLC) is a nonprofit, web-based education program that was designed to provide stakeholders with timely and relevant information on health IT and health information exchange in the United States. In partnership with the ONC, the National Learning Consortium recently released Meaningful Use Case Studies that detail the experiences of providers across the country on their journeys to achieve Meaningful Use. These case studies are based on actual provider experiences and each focuses on a specific subset of the Stage 1 Meaningful Use requirements, including a section on key challenges and lessons learned.

Please click here to access the case studies...For more information, please visit HRSA’s Health IT Website or the ONC website..."  [Source: HRSA Health IT]

Colorado Academy Of Family Physicians TV Show "Family Medicine Physicians on Call for Colorado" is on Comcast

The Colorado Academy Of Family Physicians TV Show, Family Medicine Physicians on Call for Colorado, is continuing to air on Comcast Entertainment Television, Channel 105.  The TV show consists of five Family Physicians explaining the breadth of Family Medicine care including pregnancy, fevers, young adults, obesity, and the Patient Centered Medicine Home.

TV Show Schedule:
Oct. 11, 1:30 pm
Oct. 12, 1:30 pm
Oct. 21, 8:30 pm
Oct. 23, 10:30 am
Oct. 25, 1:30 pm

The Mongan Commonwealth Fund Fellowship in Minority Health Policy

Supported by The Commonwealth Fund, the The Mongan Commonwealth Fund Fellowship in Minority Health Policy is a unique fellowship is designed to prepare physicians for leadership roles in transforming health care delivery systems and promoting health policies and practices that improve access to high performance health care for vulnerable populations including racial and ethnic minorities and economically disadvantaged groups. Under the auspices of the Minority Faculty Development Program (MFDP) at Harvard Medical School (HMS), up to five one-year fellowships will be awarded per year, with the potential for an optional second year of practicum experience...The application deadline for the 2013-2014 Fellowship is December 15, 2012...Click here for more information.  [Source: The Commonwealth Fund]

How to do the Managed Care Dance – What You Need to Know to Participate in Networks

Date: October 16, 2012, 1:00 to 2:30 p.m. EDT
Don’t miss an important webinar led by speakers with extensive experience in the managed care industry.  Managed care and managed behavioral healthcare play a critical role in the delivery of behavioral healthcare services. Whether Medicaid, Medicare, or commercial insurance, providers need to know how to effectively participate in managed care networks. SAMHSA-HRSA Center for Integrated Health Solutions will host a webinar for community-based providers — whether they are community health centers, mental health centers, substance abuse treatment organizations, HIV/AIDS clinics, maternal and child health organizations, or others — to learn how to effectively apply and gain acceptance on managed care provider panels. For integrated care to succeed, providers and managed care and managed behavioral healthcare organizations need to work together effectively on behalf of enrollees..." Click here for more information and to register.

Grant Opportunity to Encourage Latinas to Recognize Heart Attacks

"Funding is available for activities and events in support of the Spanish language awareness campaign, “Make The Call. Don’t Miss a Beat”. Building upon the national public awareness begun under this campaign in 2011, the outreach focus of the campaign in 2013 is to encourage Spanish speaking Latinas from across the country over age 50 to recognize the signs and symptoms of a heart attack and to call 911 promptly. Community-based partnerships and collaborations with Hispanic/Latino organizations and entities are strongly encouraged and funding priority will be given to applicants demonstrating these partnerships. Visit www.womenshealth.gov/heartattack for more information on the campaign..." [Source: COPrevent]

States Ask About Partial Medicaid Expansion Options

"Several states are querying the federal government on how flexible they can be with their Medicaid eligibility levels starting in 2014, given that the full expansion under the Affordable Care Act (ACA) authorizes states to cover individuals up to 133% of the federal poverty line is now optional under the Supreme Court’s ruling on the law. For states that decide not to participate in the expansion, those above 100% of poverty potentially still could qualify for federal subsidies to buy private coverage through the law’s health insurance exchanges. Read here about what kind of flexibility, if any, states will have in expanding Medicaid up to 100% FPL." [Source: Colorado Rural Health Center]

Census Report Says Uninsured Are Visiting the Doctor Less

"The Census Bureau recently released its annual report on how Americans use the healthcare system this month.  The report, which can be viewed here, says the uninsured are visiting the doctor less than they were a decade ago.  Medical utilization services vary by demographic and economic indicators, and not surprisingly, respondents were much less likely to visit a dentist than a medical provider.  Read more comments on the findings written by Sarah Kliff, a blogger for the Washington Post." [Source: Colorado Rural Health Center]

NDEP Tools Available for National Diabetes Month

"In observance of National Diabetes Month, National Diabetes Education Program (NDEP) and its partners are Changing the Way Diabetes Is Treated by working together to help people better understand how to make the necessary changes in their day-to-day lives to prevent type 2 diabetes, manage diabetes to prevent complications, and live healthier lives.

NDEP has packaged diabetes prevention tools for organizations helping people make the changes they need to live healthier lives. Share this content by:

• Adding the "Make a change to live well" box to your organization's website
• Using the Promotional Tools to write social media messages, press releases, updates and articles 
• Following NDEP on Facebook or Twitter and sharing the messages"

[Source: COPrevent]

Data Makes a Difference: Practical Tips for Using Data to Address Health Disparities

When: Thursday, October 11, 2012 9:00 AM - 1:00 PM (Mountain Time)
Where: The Colorado Trust, 1600 Sherman Street, Denver, Colorado 80203-1604 

"The purpose of this workshop is to help participants find, understand, interpret, and use data to support their work to eliminate health disparities. The intended audience for this workshop includes members, staff, or volunteers of the community-based organizations who have had no or little exposure to data and are seeking to develop basic knowledge about data related to health disparities. Using a common scenario, a trainer will guide participants through steps needed in a process to use data to address a specific health disparity. Throughout the workshop, the trainer will pose questions to guide participants’ critical thinking about data. Participants will also learn strategies to ensure the entire process of data access, interpretation, and use serves to strengthen participants' efforts to bring their own community together to address health disparities."  Click here to learn more and to register. [Source: National Partnership for Action to End Health Disparities]

Application Walk-through Webinar 10/8/2012

"Would you like to the see the application before you work with clients? Are you curious what the client sees when they complete an application online? Don't wonder any longer and join in this 1.5 hour session where we will walk through the PEAK screener and a portion of the application so that you can familiarize yourself with the questions being asked. These sessions will provide plenty of time to ask questions and discuss how best to utilize PEAK to assist clients. 

Application Walk-throughs occur from 1:00 - 2:30PM on the second Monday of each month. To join the October 8th webinar, click HERE and enter the password: peak. To hear the audio portion of the call, dial (712) 432-0220 and enter the code: 5642211#..."  [Source: Colorado PEAK Outreach Team]

Click here to visit the PEAK Outreach Team calendar for future events.

Department of Health Care Policy and Financing September issue of At a Glance

The September At a Glance publication provides updates from the Colorado Department of Health Care Policy and Financing.