Thursday, January 31, 2013

February 9th: Intensive Diabetes Management for Primary Care

When: Saturday, February 9, 2013
Where: Hyatt Regency 650 15th Street, Denver, CO 80202
Cost: $75
Click to register (Registration Closes February 9th)

An  upcoming professional conference, "Intensive Diabetes Management for Primary Care," is being offered by the American Diabetes Association Colorado, Wyoming & Montana.  It has been designed specifically for physicians, pharmacists, dietitians, certified diabetes educators and other health care professionals who care for patients with diabetes and who manage the complications related to this disease.  You will learn to identify technological advancements in diabetes care to improve glycemic control, describe current treatment options for patients with diabetes, including how to incorporate new agents, and more.   Certificates of Completion/Attendance are provided to registered attendees based upon completion of the online evaluation that will be available onlineClick here to learn see the conference flyer.    [Source: COPrevent]

Application period still open "Convening for Colorado" grant opportunity

"Last spring, The Colorado Trust launched Convening for Colorado. This new program provides grant support to bring people together to discuss issues central to improving the health and well-being of Coloradans. The convenings provide dedicated time for people to personally engage, listen and share views and expertise with the goal of tackling a tough challenge or taking advantage of a timely opportunity... The Colorado Trust will consider providing support for convenings that are:
  •     Intentional, focused dialogues that lead to actionable outcomes
  •     Discussions that specifically inform strategy, program or policy development
  •     Meetings that advance specific health and well-being objectives.
Convening grants are not available from The Trust, however, for the following types of events:
  •     Educational learning events (multiple or one-time events)
  •     Sponsorships for conferences or seminars
  •     Grantee networking events
  •     Speaking engagements or presentations
  •     Health fairs
  •     Standalone meetings for the sole purpose of data collection (e.g., focus groups)
  •     Supplements to current Trust grants.
The Convening for Colorado grant funds will continue to be available throughout 2013..." Click here to read more.  [Source: The Colorado Trust]

Wednesday, January 30, 2013

[Webinar] The Colorado Medicaid EHR Incentive Program Demystified: How to get paid for implementing an EHR

When: February 12, 2013 12:00 PM - 12:45 PM

Attend this free webinar and you'll learn:
  •     Medicaid requirements for attesting to the EHR Incentive Program
  •     What Attestation, Implementation, and Upgrade (AIU) means
  •     What the system looks like
  •     How to register in the system
  •     How to prepare your documentation
  •     What to expect during the process and generally how long it takes
Click here to register.  [Source: CORHIO]

NASHP offers tools and insight on Health Care Reform

The National Association for State Health Policy (NASHP) recently released a communication that offers perspective and several tools on changes in health care nationally and statewide.  Highlights include:
[Source: NASHP]

Monday, January 28, 2013

Colorado Children's Trust Fund RFA Available

"The Colorado Children's Trust Fund (CCTF) Board of Directors has released the Request for Applications (RFA) for fiscal year 2013-2014.

The CCTF Board of Directors are looking for programs in local communities to fulfill the mission of the primary and secondary prevention of the maltreatment of Colorado's children. Eligible agencies may be non-profits, government entities or faith-based in nature that can provide an evidence-based curricula to parents and families in their locality. Innovative practices based in research may also be funded through this opportunity..."  Click here to read the full request for application.  It is due February 28th.  [Source: COPrevent]

Thursday, January 24, 2013

Connect Campaign wants to hear from you!

ClinicNET continues to participate in the Connect Campaign, a collaboration of stakeholders working toward successful coverage and access to care for Colorado’s uninsured adults. We would like to be able to accurately represent your perspective and experiences relative to Medicaid's expansion to Adults without Dependent Children and Medicaid overall. Please take a minute to fill out this quick survey.

"Give Kids a Smile" Day is February 1st!

Give Kids a Smile Day is a day of free education and treatment for kids organized by the Colorado Dental Association every February.  Over 275 dentists across Colorado have registered to participate in Give Kids a Smile Day.  This year it will take place on Friday, February 1st.   Children without dental insurance from families who can't afford dental care qualify for Give Kids a Smile appointments.  Click here to learn more about this special opportunity including further details about patient eligibility and how to make an appointment.

Wednesday, January 23, 2013

Governor John Hickenlooper to speak at The Atlantic's Community Health Event

DATE: Wednesday, February 6, 2013
TIME: 10:45 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. (MST)
LOCATION: Seawell Grand Ballroom, Denver Performing Arts Complex, 1101 13th Street, Denver, CO 80204


"Seats are filling up quickly for The Atlantic’s Conversation on Community Health in Denver on Wednesday, February 6. RSVP now to reserve your seat for the program, which will feature a keynote interview with Governor John Hickenlooper and an interactive panel discussion with leaders currently working on the frontlines of community health in Denver.

Please click here to view a detailed program agenda."   [Source: The Atlantic]

Tuesday, January 22, 2013

Beforeplay Sexual Health Resources Available in Spanish

"Beforeplay.org, a Colorado public health initiative aimed at reducing the number of unintended pregnancies, has recently launched a new Spanish website, Beforeplay.org/es.  The new Spanish language site provides useful resources on a range of sexual health topics, including: information about birth control and contraceptive methods, pregnancy, STDs, and ways to initiate important sexual health conversations..."  [Source: COPrevent]

Monday, January 21, 2013

New Diabetes Education Available!

"Are you worried that you or a loved one has diabetes?  The Health Care Advocacy Program is offering free health education to people with intellectual and developmental disabilities!

Tuesday, February 5th & Tuesday, February 12th
1:30pm to 3:00pm
1905 Sherman St. Suite 300 Denver, CO 80203


We encourage family, friends and professionals to join in as well!"

For more information please contact:
Alex Andrews; 303.974.2520 (office)

Click here to view the original flyer.  [Source: Health Care Advocacy Program]

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services issues a news release regarding the HIPAA Omnibus Rule

"The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services just issued a news release regarding the HIPAA Omnibus Rule; click here to read the full news release...After a 2.5 year wait the final HIPAA Omnibus Rule has been released with 563 pages of changes to HIPAA as part of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA). Many of these changes will affect your current privacy and security policies and procedures..."  Click here to read more.  [Source: Colorado Rural Health Center]

Friday, January 18, 2013

Primary Care Provider Self Attestation Form

"Changes to Medicaid primary care reimbursement were enacted as part of the Affordable Care Act. Eligible physicians will receive supplemental payments for services rendered between January 1, 2013, and December 31, 2014, that raise the Medicaid reimbursement to Medicare rates. Medicare rates have not been confirmed at this time.

To be eligible, physicians must personally attest as practicing in family medicine, general internal medicine and/or pediatric medicine and be board certified or meet thresholds for providing recent primary care services.  Advanced practice professionals practicing under the personal supervision of a qualified physician are eligible to receive the supplemental payment...Providers must fill out the short Self-Attestation Form in order to be eligible for the supplemental payments.

If self-attested before March 31, 2013, payments will be retroactive to January 1, 2013. If attested after March 31, 2013, the supplemental payments will be for eligible services provided after the date of self-attestation."
[Source: Colorado Department of Health Care Policy and Financing]





The Colorado Patient Navigator Training Program is offering a Seminar on Poverty and Self-Sufficiency

Date: Wednesday, January 30, 2013 from 10am-12pm
Location: Education 2 North Building Classroom 1206, Anschutz Medical Campus


"This training is being presented by the Patient Navigator Training Program.  Ms. [Tracey Stewart of the Family Economic Security Program at the Colorado Center on Law and Policy] will present how poverty is currently measured in Colorado and the limitations to the formula used. She will proved an alternate measurement, self-sufficiency and the elder index that is supported by family advocacy organizations around the country to more accurately and appropriately identify the actual income needed for families and elders to achieve self-sufficiency."  Click here to register.  [Source: Colorado Patient Navigator Training Program]

Thursday, January 17, 2013

Survey: Pregnancy Related Depression Resources in Colorado

The Maternal Wellness team at the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment is surveying individuals, organizations, programs and providers around the state to identify what screening, referral and treatment/support efforts are available for depression that occurs either during pregnancy or up to one year postpartum (also known as pregnancy-related depression).

If you are a safety net clinic that:
  •      Provides services to pregnant or postpartum women; or
  •      Provides women's health services; or
  •      Provides early childhood services
then you are encouraged to respond to the survey and/or share it to others. The survey should take between 10-15 minutes to complete.

The survey will be open through Wednesday, January 30th.

Upon completion of this survey, your email address will be entered into a drawing to win a $50 gift card to the restaurant of your choice.

Please click here to take the survey.

[Source: Women's Wellness Connection & Maternal Wellness - Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment]

CIVHC Connect All Stakeholder Meeting

When: January 24th, 10:30am-12:00pm

CIVHC holds quarterly CIVHC Connect meetings to update and engage interested parties about the status of statewide health care reform progress. The next CIVHC Connect meeting will inform participants of the Colorado All Payer Claims Database launch results and future milestones, and will detail efforts to develop a statewide umbrella campaign to promote appropriate Care Transitions across care settings.

Ample time will be provided for questions and discussion among participants. Don't miss this opportunity to learn and share what's happening across Colorado to reach the Triple Aim of better health, better care and lower costs.

The meeting will be offered both in-person (COPIC Founders Board Room) and via Webinar.  Space is limited in-person, so REGISTER TODAY!
[Source: CIVHC]

[Webinar] The Health Care Law 101 (in Spanish)

When: January 22 at 2:00 p.m. ET
A presentation on the main provisions in the Affordable Care Act, the health care law, and how to access care in your community in Spanish. Click here to sign up.  [Source: HHS Center for Faith-based and Neighborhood Partnerships]

Wednesday, January 16, 2013

TEDMED: The 20 Great Challenges of Health and Medicine

"Join us for TEDMED Thursdays when we will host live video chats as a way to further explore these great challenges. Participate by submitting questions and sharing your perspective with Challenge Team members and the TEDMED community in real-time. Join us for these live events here on TEDMED.com (see schedule below). To submit questions, follow us on Twitter @TEDMED and tag your questions with #GreatChallenges..."

Future events include:
[Source: TEDMED]


HCPF Provider Bulletin

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

All Providers .........................................1
Web Portal Upgrades.............................1
Clarification of Blood Lead Testing for Medicaid-Eligible Children......................2
2013 HCPCS Codes Update..................2
Primary Care Provider Supplemental Payments ...............................................2
Tax Season and 1099s ..........................3
January and February 2013 Holidays ....3
Dental Providers...................................3
Dental PARs...........................................3
Home Health Providers........................5
Appendix N Update ................................5
Hospital Providers................................5
OP Hospital Supplemental Medicaid Payment .................................................5
Practitioners .........................................5
Office Administered Drugs, Lupron Depot....5
Pharmacy Providers.............................6
IHS Pharmacies Billing Updates ............6
Benefit Updates for Benzodiazepines and Barbiturates ............................................7
Updated Pharmacy Reimbursement Methodology...........................................7
Total Prescription Volume Surveys ........7
January and February 2013 Provider Workshops............................................7
Attachment A - Percentage Adjustment Factors.........................................................A-1

[Source: Colorado Department of Health Care Policy and Financing]

Tuesday, January 15, 2013

Connecting Kids to Coverage Outreach and Enrollment Grant Opportunity and Important Information on Key Medicaid and CHIP Provisions of the American Taxpayer Relief Act of 2012

"We are pleased to announce that today the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) issued a solicitation for applications for Connecting Kids to Coverage Outreach and Enrollment Grants.  Please see the attachment for more information as well as information about key Medicaid and CHIP provisions of the American Taxpayer Relief Act of 2012."  Click here to learn more about this grant opportunity.  Deadline for applications is February 21, 2013. [Source: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services]

Planning Your ICD-10 Transition Activities for 2013

The year 2013 brings two crucial ICD-10 transition milestones for providers:
  •     April 1, 2013: Testing ICD-10 with colleagues/staff within your practice
  •     October 1, 2013: Testing ICD-10 with business trading partners like payers, clearinghouses, and billing services
Review your ICD-10 timeline and make sure you are on track to meet these milestones.  To prepare for testing, click here to review a list of suggested activities. 

Expect to continue testing transactions and fine-tuning your transition up until the ICD-10 compliance date of October 1, 2014.  [Source: Centers for Medicare and Medicaid]

Monday, January 14, 2013

Connecting Kids to Coverage Outreach and Enrollment Grants

"Navigators and In-Person Assistance Programs have been getting all the attention lately, but the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) recently issued information about a new grant opportunity that might also be of interest to outreach and enrollment stakeholders: the Connecting Kids to Coverage Outreach and Enrollment Grants. These grants are available to groups that conduct outreach to get children enrolled in Medicaid and CHIP...

Proposals should focus on one of five core areas:
  •     School-based outreach
  •     Bridging health coverage disparities
  •     Targeting enrollment strategies to streamline enrollment for individuals participating in other public benefit programs
  •     Application assistance
  •     Training communities to help families understand the new application and enrollment systems
CMS is hosting teleconferences this month for anyone who wants to learn more about this opportunity. You can find teleconference times and registration details here.

Interested in applying for a grant? Be sure to read the full solicitation, and submit a letter of intent to CMS by January 29. Proposals are due February 21." Click here to read original text.  [Source: Enroll America]

Register for the National Provider Call on Stage 1 and Stage 2 of Meaningful Use for the EHR Incentive Programs

CMS will host a National Provider Call about the Stage 2 Final Rule and how it affects Stage 1 and Stage 2 of meaningful use and other requirements of the EHR Incentive Programs on Wednesday, January 16 from 2:00 - 3:30 p.m. ET. This call aims to help providers successfully participate in the EHR Incentive Programs and receive an incentive payment...Click here to register.  Registration will close at 12 p.m. on the day of the call or when available space has been filled; no exceptions will be made, so please register early.  [Source: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services]

Friday, January 11, 2013

[Webinar] Upgrading and Optimizing an Electronic Health Record System for Safety Net Providers

When: Friday January 18, 2:00 PM ET

"Even after successfully adopting an electronic health record (EHR), the need to upgrade or optimize the system may create unforeseen challenges.  On Friday, January 18, the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) will present a webinar featuring safety net providers from rural inpatient and health center settings who have successfully upgraded or optimized their EHR systems.  The presenters will offer insights on how to enhance clinical workflow, improve productivity, and manage organizational change. Upgrading an EHR and health IT systems is an ongoing process for safety net providers; these presenters will offer strategies on how to streamline this process..."Click here to register.  [Source: HRSA]


Thursday, January 10, 2013

Learning Lunch: National Expert to Address Barriers to Health Equity

When:     11:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. Thursday, January 31, 2013*
Where:     The Colorado Trust, 1600 Sherman Street, Denver, Colorado
RSVP:     Click here to RSVP to Alisa Bourne by Wednesday, January 23, 2013. Note that space is limited. Please let us know if you have any special dietary needs.

"Please join us for a special Learning Lunch to hear from Paula Braveman, MD, a leading national expert on health equity, as she discusses barriers to achieving optimal health faced by racial and ethnic minorities, low-income and other disadvantaged populations...Joining Dr. Braveman will be T.R. Reid. Well known for his long-time reporting for the Washington Post and NPR commentaries, and author of such works as The Healing of America: A Global Quest for Better, Cheaper, and Fairer Health Care, Reid will moderate a discussion with Dr. Braveman following her initial remarks..." Click here to learn more. [Source: The Colorado Trust]

2013 Healthy Communities/Healthy America Grant Opportunity

The American Medical Foundation supports the efforts of physicians and other volunteers working at free clinics to provide quality, affordable health care. The program awards $10,000-$25,000 grants to physician-led free clinics. To date, we have awarded over $1 million to 56 free clinics across the country.

The 2013 Healthy Communities/Healthy America program will address Diabetes management and education projects for free clinic patients.

The AMA Foundation is currently accepting Letters of Inquiry (LOI) for this program. LOIs must be received by March 15, 2013.  Download the LOI form Word File, which includes detailed instructions.  Guidelines to request funding from the AMA Foundation are located here
[Source: American Medical Foundation]

Wednesday, January 9, 2013

National Prevention Strategy Webinars Offered

"The Region VIII Federal Partners group will host "Improving the Health of Communities through the National Prevention Strategy 2013 Webinar Series."...The National Prevention Strategy is a comprehensive plan that strives to improve the nation’s health through the active engagement of all sectors of society. Called for by the Affordable Care Act, the Strategy helps move the nation away from a health care system focused on sickness and disease to one focused on wellness and prevention.

Each webinar will take place the 3rd Thursday of the month from 2 -3:30 p.m. MT. Topics for the series, the months they will take place, and the National Prevention Plan priority they relate to, are:
· Bridging the Community with Federal Programs - January 17, 2013 (Community Empowerment)
· Community Nutrition – March 21, 2013 (Healthy Eating)
· Healthy Aging – Thursday, May 16, 2013 (Healthy and Safe Community Environments; Mental and Emotional Well Being)
· Designing Healthy Communities: Promoting Affordable, Accessible, Safe, and Healthy Housing - July 18, 2013 (Healthy and Safe Communities)
· Preventing Violence: The Importance of Healthy Communication and Relationships – September 19, 2013 (Injury and Violence Free Living; Mental and Emotional Well Being)
· Physical Activity and Wellness – November 21, 2013 (Active Living)

To learn more about these webinars, subscribe via email to  LISTSERV@LIST.NIH.GOV and include "Subscribe REGIONVIII" and your name in the message."  [Source: COPrevent]

Connect Campaign January Meeting

"The Connect Summit in December was a great opportunity for all of us to begin putting our heads together on the work that needs to be done. To get more information what was shared in the Summit, as well as the responses we received from the participants, please click here...In the meantime, you're welcome to join us at our next monthly Connect meeting on January 28th from 1pm to 2:30pm. If you would like more details, please e-mail Aubrey."  [Source: Connect Campaign]

ClinicNET will be present at this meeting.  If you are unable to attend this meeting and would like to give some feedback please share it with us!

Six Steps to Reduce Disparities in Health Care

Want to jumpstart your organization’s efforts to reduce racial and ethnic disparities in care in 2013? Finding Answers: Disparities Research for Change offers three new resources that can help your project gain momentum this year.
[Source: Robert Wood Johnson Foundation]

Tuesday, January 8, 2013

Help identify for new name for Colorado's health insurance marketplace

...the Colorado Health Benefit Exchange has been undergoing a process of identifying a new name for Colorado’s health insurance marketplace. The current name was established by Senate Bill 11-200. We have received strong feedback from stakeholders and through research that the name is confusing and not an effective way to communicate our value to Coloradans. We are committed to working with our community to design an Exchange that best meets the needs of Colorado. To that end, we are asking for your feedback about name options. Please provide your feedback by 5 pm on Friday, January 11, 2013. Please keep in mind that the final name may change based on trademark and legal research and input from the Board. Thank you for your support and input."  Click here to give your feedback.  [Source: COHBE]

Monday, January 7, 2013

CMS Announces 90-Day Period of Enforcement Discretion for Compliance with Eligibility and Claim Status Operating Rules

"Today, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services’ Office of E-Health Standards and Services (OESS) announced that to reduce the potential of significant disruption to the health care industry, it will not initiate enforcement action until March 31, 2013, with respect to HIPAA covered entities (including health plans, health care providers, and clearinghouses, as applicable) that are not in compliance with the operating rules adopted for the following transactions as required by the Affordable Care Act: eligibility for a health plan and health care claim status.  Notwithstanding OESS’ discretionary application of its enforcement authority, the compliance date for using the operating rules remains January 1, 2013...For copies of the operating rules for the eligibility for a health plan and health care claim status transactions, visit the Council for Affordable Quality Healthcare (CAQH) CORE website at http://www.caqh.org.   Links to information on the operating rules for eligibility for a health plan and health care claim status are available here."  [Source: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services]

Thursday, January 3, 2013

Gov. Hickenlooper Annouces Medicaid Expansion

"This morning Gov. John Hickenlooper announced that his administration will support efforts to grow and strengthen Medicaid by expanding eligibility to thousands of hardworking Coloradans. Gov. Hickenlooper called for following federal guidelines to include individuals making up to 133 percent of the federal poverty level which would provide coverage to an additional 160,000 uninsured people. Additionally, he committed that the Colorado Department of Health Care Policy and Financing will continue to find cost savings to make Medicaid run as efficiently as possible.

This is the first step in what we expect will be a long and possibly contentious legislative process where the details of this important decision will be hashed out. That said, it is a strong and positive first step towards greater access to quality affordable care for more of our state’s residents and it is something to celebrate..."  [Source: Insuring Our Future]

Medicaid Primary Care Provider Self Attestation Form

Physicians with a specialty of family medicine, internal medicine, or pediatric medicine can self attest to the specialty and be eligible for supplemental payments pursuant to the Affordable Care Act.  Please click here to access the self attestation form.  For additional information regarding Primary Care Provider Self Attestation, please click here.  [Source: Colorado Department of Health Care Policy and Financing]

Wednesday, January 2, 2013

[Webinar] 2013 Budgets and Strategies: Colorado's Health Agencies

When: Wednesday, January 9, 2013 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM MST

"This webinar will begin with an overview of Colorado's health-related state agencies: the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment, the Colorado Department of Health Care Policy and Financing, the Colorado Division of Insurance, and the Colorado Department of Human Services. In addition, it will explore  the Governor's budget for the upcoming fiscal year and what it tells us about each department's strategy going into the 2013 legislative session..."  Click here to register.  [Source: Colorado Health Institute]

[Webinar] Colorado Health Foundation Applicant Information Session

When: Friday, January 11, 11:00 a.m. - Noon

"The Colorado Health Foundation is hosting an application information webinar for prospective grant applicants. The webinar gives representatives from nonprofits that work in health care, health coverage and healthy living a chance to learn about the Foundation's grantmaking program. During the webinar, Foundation staff will provide a concise overview of the application process..." Click here to register.  [Source: Colorado Health Foundation]

Tuesday, January 1, 2013

Updates and Information on ICD-10

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services devotes a portion of their website to providing updates and information on ICD-10 to help you prepare.  It includes practical transition tips such as: