FTCA for Free Clinics

Program Assistance Letter (PAL) 2013-06, “Calendar Year (CY) 2014 Free Clinics Federal Tort Claims Act (FTCA) Program Policy Guide” – This year, all applications must be submitted electronically through the Free Clinic deeming module within HRSA’s EHB. The EHB system will be available to begin receiving CY 2014 deeming applications on June 3, 2013.   To learn more about the submission process, listen to the archived instructional webinar on the BPHC Free-Clinics site. All applications are due by August 2, 2013.

Save the Week!

Mark your calendars and join community Safety Net Clinics in celebrating Safety Net Clinic Week, August 19-23!  The week is devoted to educating the public and policy makers about the vital importance of community safety net clinics (CSNCs) and federally certified Rural Health Clinics (RHCs). Stay tuned! More to come...

Connect Campaign Updates

"The Connect Campaign is a collaboration of stakeholders working toward successful coverage and access to care for all of Colorado's Medicaid populations. Conclusion of Legislative Session This legislative session was successful for our vulnerable populations especially with the passage of two new laws: SB 200 enables Colorado to expand Medicaid up to 133% for all adults (parents and adults without dependents) to be implemented in January 2014. SB 242 promulgates a limited dental benefit for all adults on Medicaid, including pregnant women, adults with disabilities, parents, and adults without dependent children (including new expansion populations). A stakeholder process will be formed this summer and fall to detail the benefit, which will begin in April 2014. Email Sheeba Ibidunni to stay informed. Adults without Dependents: Progress & Lessons A new data dashboard can be viewed here on the current limited enrollment of adults without dependent children in Medicaid. Department of Health Care Policy & Financing will be discussing lessons learned with the limited expansion of Medicaid for adults without dependents over the next few months. If you want to attend these meetings or call in, email Sonja Madera. The Connect Campaign is currently working through barriers and opportunities among health care providers so we can maximize readiness as well as recruitment efforts. Let Aubrey know if you have barriers or successes that you'd like to share, or join us at our next meeting in June!" [Source: CCMU]

Department of Health Care Policy and Financing publications

May edition of At a Glance provides information from HCPF on major initiatives including policy changes and program updates.

Planning and Preparing for the Affordable Care Act

Click here to check out this neat toolkit from the Colorado Coalition for the Medically Underserved!

New Nonprofit Enterprise Zone Bill & New I-9 Form

Click here to learn more about HB13-1190. This bill, recently signed by the Governor, "allows donors to give to a Contribution Project through a “nonprofit intermediary” such as a federated giving campaign or a nonprofit giving website (e.g. ColoradoGives.org). The legislation clarifies that donors are still eligible for the tax credit if they give to a Contribution Project via a nonprofit intermediary."  [Source: Colorado Nonprofit Association]

"In March, the Department of Homeland Security's United States Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS) released its new Form I-9 (Employment Eligibility Verification). Previously a one-page form, the new version is two pages. According to USCIS, the revised Form I-9 is designed to minimize errors in form completion. After May 7, all prior versions of Form I-9 may no longer be used, and employers who fail to use the new Form I-9 will be subject to enforcement and penalties under federal immigration law. The new form is available on the USCIS website."  [Source: Colorado Nonprofit Association]

The Session Recapped: Legislation in Review Report from CHI

"Today, we are pleased to announce the release of 2013 Legislation in Review: An Analysis of the Key Health Policy Trends. Our report boils the 120-day session into an easy-to-read report that captures the key health policy trends and bills of 2013. To read more, click here: http://www.coloradohealthinstitute.org/blog/detail/the-session-recapped-legislation-in-review-report-now-online  Director of Legislative Services, Megan Lane, will conduct a webinar recapping the legislative session on June 19th. Sign up by clicking here. " [Source: CHI]

Latest updates from Connect for Health Colorado!

• "As we informed you earlier this week, Connect for Health Colorado will be able to provide a broad choice of health plans to consumers when we open in October. On Wednesday, the Division of Insurance posted information submitted by health insurance carriers requesting approval to provide plans in the individual and small group markets in Colorado. A total of 11 carriers requested approval to offer plans through Connect for Health Colorado.Learn More. 
• On Thursday, Gov. Hickenlooper signed HB 13-1245 into law. This is regarding the funding mechanisms for Connect for Health Colorado. 
• The Board Finance Committee will meet Thursday, May 30, at 3:30 pm. Learn More.
• The Health Plan Advisory Group will meet Monday, June 3, at 10:30 am. Learn More." [Source: Connect for Health Colorado]

CPHA Annual Conference CHW PN Abstract Extension

The Colorado Public Health Association (CPHA) is working hard to provide opportunities to share current information and projects from those doing patient navigation and community health work in Colorado. One such opportunity is the CPHA Annual Conference, September 19-20 in Breckenridge. Although the official deadline for abstract submission is closed, if you are interested in sharing your project information (lessons learned, processes, best/promising practices, successes, etc) regarding your work with patient navigators and community health workers, please send the following information to Andi Dwyer at andrea.dwyer.ucdenver.edu by COB  Wed, May 29th.

Abstracts Information Needed:

1.            Title:

2.            Short description:

3.            Length of session desired (30 minutes, 60 minutes, 2 hours):

4.            Target audience (clinical, community, research):

5.            Speaker(s) Name:

[Webinar] Building Safety Net Billing Capacity: State Support for a Solid Foundation

"June 3, 1:30-3:00 pm (EDT)  Register 

Safety net providers will need to expand their capacity to participate in Medicaid and Qualified Health Plans (QHPs) when many of their patients gain insurance coverage in 2014. The webinar will discuss concrete ways that states can facilitate safety net provider participation in Medicaid and QHPs in order to serve newly insured and remaining uninsured populations. Maryland and Texas speakers will share examples. This webinar is funded through NASHP’s NOSLO Cooperative Agreement with the Health Resources and Services Administration." [Source: NASHP]

Upcoming National Webinars: Promoting Prevention in Medicaid and CHIP

Medicaid and the CHIP Program

This technical assistance series is part of a new and expanding initiative to support state efforts to improve beneficiary access to high-quality preventive health services. The sessions will feature a variety of speakers and will spotlight the activities of several state Medicaid programs and their collaborations with managed care organizations, public health departments, federal prevention programs, and other stakeholders to improve access to preventive care.

Using health IT to improve access to preventive services
May 30, 2:00-3:00 p.m. (Eastern)
877-267-1577; Meeting ID: 0374, https://webinar.cms.hhs.gov/ppmc3/

Building partnerships and financing prevention in Medicaid and CHIP (in partnership with ASTHO)
June 13, 2:00-3:00 p.m. (Eastern)
877-267-1577; Meeting ID: 2168, https://webinar.cms.hhs.gov/ppmc4/

[Source: CDPHE]

[Webinar] Final HIPAA Omnibus Rule: What you need to know for your practice

June 3, 6:00-7:30 pm
"After years of work the final HIPAA Omnibus Rule is here. The rule makes a number of changes including modifying the HIPAA Privacy and Security Rules passed under the HITECH Act. This will affect what you and your practice team need to do in order to meet the strict patient privacy and data security requirements. Don’t be left in the dark on the details of this critical rule and how it will impact your practice. Plan on attending an engaging and informative webinar with David Ginsberg, a leading authority in HIPAA privacy and security compliance and meaningful use." [Source & Sponsor: Colorado Medical Society]

Access to the Institute for Healthcare Improvement offerings

Through a generous grant from Kaiser Permanente's Community Benefit Program, ClinicNET is pleased to be able to once again offer access to the Institute for Healthcare Improvement (IHI) offerings. This program, offers ClinicNET affiliates access to conference registration scholarships and travel support funding to participate in IHI activities.  This includes access to the IHI Open School.

The IHI Open School is an inter-professional on-line community for students, faculty, and professionals from all health disciplines that strives to advance and build skill in patient safety and quality improvement through education.  Click the following hyperlink text to view a flyer about the IHI Open School and course summaries.

Upcoming IHI conferences for which you may receive assistance to attend as a ClinicNET affiliate include:

• Transforming Primary Care Practice: June 18-20, 2013, Denver, CO
• 25th Annual National Forum on Quality Improvement in Health Care: December 8-11, Orlando, FL

Interested ClinicNET affiliates should contact Program Manager Brooke Powers at brooke.powers@clinicnet.org

Updated Colorado Health Institute Database Keeps Tabs on Colorado’s Safety Net

"CHI has released an update to our safety net clinic resources: an updated database of Colorado's safety net clinics, and two maps showing where they are located throughout the state. This blog post profiles one of the newer organizations that make up Colorado's health care safety net - Head2Toe Healthcare in Aurora." [Source: CHI]

Webinar series to address ways to help older adults maintain optimum function and manage select geriatric syndromes

"This three part webinar series will address ways to help older adults maintain optimum function and manage select geriatric syndromes....Community Health Partners for Sustainability, in conjunction with the National Center for Health and the Aging, is excited to present this free, three-part webinar series...This webinar series is geared toward physicians and advanced practice nurses, as well as clinic administrators." Click here to read more.

Part 2:Common Screenings for Older Adults- Wed, May 29, 2013 from 2:00 - 3:00 PM, ET. Register here
Part 3:Cancer Screenings for Older Adults - Wed, June 26, 2013 from 2:00 - 3:00 PM, ET. Register here
[Source: Community Health Partners for Sustainability]

News From Connect for Health Colorado

"Here are the latest updates about activities at Connect for Health Colorado:

• We are excited to let you know that carriers have shown a strong interest in offering health plans through Connect for Health Colorado, which opens in October. The Division of Insurance released information from files submitted by health insurance carriers requesting approval to provide health plans in the individual and small group markets in Colorado. This is the beginning of a review process by the Division of Insurance, which regulates insurance companies in the state. The filings show a strong interest by carriers to offer health plans through Connect for Health Colorado, which opens in October. Ten carriers requested approval to provide a total of about 150 health plans for individuals and families through our marketplace. And six carriers requested approval to provide nearly 100 health plans to small employers through our marketplace. A total of 11 carriers requested approval to provide health plans through our marketplace.
  • Division of Insurance news release 
  • FAQs - Division of Insurance review of health insurance plans 
  • Plans submitted by health insurance carriers
• The SHOP Advisory Group will meet Thursday, May 23, at 10 am. Learn more.
• Connect for Health Colorado submitted a Level 2 grant application to the federal government.  
• Take a moment to explore our YouTube channel and share with your communities to help educate them about Connect for Health Colorado.  

Connect for Health Colorado will launch a new health insurance marketplace and support network in October that will allow individuals, families and small employers to compare and purchase health plans from companies including the major providers in the state in a convenient way. We will provide high quality customer assistance by phone and in person, as well as access to new financial assistance to reduce costs. Learn more at www.ConnectforHealthCO.com." [Source: Connect for Health Colorado]

[Mtng & Webinar] Movement between Medicaid and the Exchange

"The Colorado Department of Health Care Policy and Financing (HCPF) will be hosting their third stakeholder meeting to discuss the movement of clients between Medicaid and the health insurance marketplace in 2014 and beyond.  This meeting will focus on eligibility and benefit design within our framework of promoting seamless coverage as clients move between public and private coverage.

The meeting will take place on May 29th, from 1:00 – 3:00 pm.  Please visit HCPF's website for full details and to register for the webinar. Slides from the previous meetings are are also available on this page.

This meeting is open to the public, but space is limited.  Organizations should send no more than one or two in-person attendees, and all in-person attendees must RSVP to sonja.madera@state.co.us by May 27th.  RSVPs for participation via phone are not required, but you will need to register for the webinar by May 28th."  [Source: Colorado Department of Health Care Policy and Financing]

Transforming Colorado’s Health Care System: The Colorado Health Care Innovation Plan Kick-Off

“Governor John Hickenlooper and Sue Birch, Executive Director of the Colorado Department of Health Care Policy and Financing, request your help in creating a Colorado Health Care Innovation Plan that will serve as a guide to health care transformation across the state.

The Opportunity: Colorado has won a $2 million award from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services to develop and refine a Colorado Health Care Innovation Plan. We are one of only three states chosen to receive funding for this effort. This is our chance to convene experts from across the state and build an innovative and integrated vision of health care that will guide our efforts for years to come.

The Background: All of us are working to make Colorado the healthiest state in the nation. We know that this will require a coordinated, efficient, effective and integrated health care system that improves health outcomes, increases patient satisfaction and lowers costs. We have taken many steps to move our system toward these goals, but much remains to be done. As the Governor said at the release of The State of Health: Colorado’s Commitment to Become the Healthiest State, we have to be “all hands on deck” when it comes to health.

How: We are seeking broad input from the consumer, employer, payer, provider, public health and education communities. Our goal is to reach consensus on a vision of sustainable health that works for Colorado.

When: The Stakeholder Group will meet three times between now and September. Each facilitated meeting will require advance preparation as we come together to solve problems, build on great ideas and achieve consensus.

We have scheduled the first meeting from 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. on Wednesday, May 29, at History Colorado, 1200 Broadway, Denver. 

RSVP: By May 23 to Kathy Helm, ColoradoSIM@coloradohealthinstitute.org

Please read The State of Health to prepare for the meeting. www.colorado.gov/stateofhealth" [Source: CHI]

Free EHR & Meaningful Use Boot Camp

When: June 27, 2013 11:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Location: DoubleTree Westminster, 8773 Yates Dr, Westminster,CO , 80031

Interested in learning more about Meaningful Use? Want to find out if you’re eligible for incentive funds?  Attend the free EHR and Meaningful Use Boot Camp for health care professionals who want to incorporate Meaningful Use objectives into their practices and potentially receive incentive payments...Registration is required for this event...Click here to learn more and here to register.  [Source: CORHIO]

[Webinar] Stocking the Shelves: Exchanges Work to Certify Health Plans

Wednesday, May 29th | 2:30 - 4:00 PM EDT

"Open enrollment is only months away, and health insurance exchanges are working to "stock their shelves" with health plans so that individuals and small businesses seeking coverage have options to choose from. This State Refor(u)m webinar will explore the key elements--benefit design, consumer protections, actuarial value, network adequacy, marketing requirements, accreditation, rates, and more--of certifying health plans for the exchange. 

Three states, each with a separate approach, will share their strategies:
1.    a state-based exchange that is actively negotiating with plans;
2.    a state-based exchange that is focusing on integrating the exchange into its larger vision for  quality improvement; and
3.    a federally facilitated exchange state that is actively working with the federal government to certify plans."  Register here.  [Source: NASHP]

Connect for Health Colorado

The Colorado Health Benefit Exchange (COHBE) recently began using their new name, Connect for Health Colorado, in conjunction with the launch of a new public education campaign across the state. Their new website, www.ConnectforHealthCO.com, features a cost-savings calculator, videos from Coloradans about the importance of having health insurance, FAQs and other resources to prepare Coloradans for the opening of the new online marketplace and customer support network in October. Recent activities and updates:

• Their Board approved the submission of comments to the federal government related to navigators.
• The General Assembly passed House Bill 13-1245 which will provide transitional funding to support the early operations of Connect for Health Colorado. View a summary of the legislation.
• Their Board voted to approve the submission of a Level 2 Establishment Grant application to the federal government prior to the May 15, 2013, deadline.
• Their Board will meet Monday, May 13, at 8:30 a.m. Learn more. 
• Their Individual Experience Advisory Group will meet Tuesday, May 14, at 10:30 a.m. Learn more.
• Their Outreach and Communications Advisory Group will meet Wednesday, May 15, at 3 pm. Learn more.  

Connect for Health Colorado will launch a new health insurance marketplace and support network in October that will allow individuals, families and small employers to compare and purchase health plans from companies including the major providers in the state in a convenient way. They plan to provide high quality customer assistance by phone and in person, as well as access to new financial assistance to reduce costs. Learn more at www.ConnectforHealthCO.com.

Second round of funding announced for CMS Health Care Innovation Awards

"This morning, the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation announced a second round of funding for Health Care Innovation awards. Non-binding letters of intent are due by June 28. Applications will be made available starting June 14 and will be accepted until August 15. Thus, this opportunity clearly favors organizations with programs that are already in place.

This round features some important distinctions from last year's Innovation Challenge, specifically seeking applications in the following categories:

• Models to rapidly reduce Medicare, Medicaid and/or CHIP spending in outpatient and post-acute settings, particularly diagnostic services, outpatient radiology, high-cost physician-administered drugs, home based services, therapeutic services and post-acute services.
• Models that improve care for populations with specialized needs. Priority areas include high-cost pediatric populations, children in foster care, adolescents in crisis, and persons with Alzheimer's disease, HIV/AIDS, serious behavioral health needs, or requiring long-term support and services.
• Models that transform the financial and clinical models for specific types of providers and suppliers. Priority areas include models designed for specific physician specialties (e.g., oncology or cardiology), and pediatricians who provide services to children with complex medical issues.
• Models that improve the health of populations - defined geographically, clinically, or by socioeconomic class - through activities focused on prevention, wellness, and comprehensive care that extends beyond the clinical service delivery setting and addresses the social determinants of health. Priority areas include, but not limited to, models that develop comprehensive population-based interventions, integrate clinical care with community-based interventions that focus on the underlying determinants of health, and integrate behavioral health care and primary care.

CMMI held a nationwide conference to provide an overview of the funding opportunity.  A replay of the call will be available by calling 855-859-2056 or 404-537-3406 until 11:59pm on May 17, 2013. The security code is 31833 and the conference ID is 59268802.

In the meantime, here are links to the press release and FAQs about this opportunity.

• Press Release
• Fact Sheet" [Source: CIVHC]

Free resources for patients with diabetes

"Newly diagnosed patients with type 2 diabetes have a host of questions. The Where Do I Begin? booklet is available in English and bilingual Spanish from the American Diabetes Association. You can order free copies of Where Do I Begin? to give to patients looking for more information on living well with diabetes at www.diabetes.org/clinicians.

Patients can enroll in Living With Type 2 Diabetes, a free 12-month program That offers information, recipes, tips and more.  Patients can enroll at www.diabetes.org/living."  [Source: Association of Clinicians for the Underserved]

Diabetes Prevention Program in Colorado

"Eighteen sites offer the Diabetes Prevention Program in Colorado, including the YMCA of Metro Denver (720-524-2747). Two insurance plans in Colorado, UnitedHealthCare and Kaiser Permanente, cover the Diabetes Prevention Program for their members.  To find a DPP site near you, please call 1-800-DIABETES or view the sites offering the DPP in Colorado...

Taught by trained lifestyle coaches, this 16-week program includes weekly sessions on nutrition and physical activity, such as how to read food labels, how to develop and maintain a healthy diet, and how to deal with stress without overeating. People who lose just 5 – 7 percent of their body weight (10 to 14 pounds for someone weighing 200 pounds) greatly reduce their risk of developing diabetes. The Diabetes Prevention Program helps them reach this goal by eating healthier and increasing physical activity to a 30 minutes a day, five days a week.

To find out more about the Diabetes Prevention Program, please visit the DPP in Colorado or contact Kelly McCracken at kelly.mccracken@state.co.us."  [Source: COPrevent]

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

"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. Information on the Health Insurance Marketplace and how to get updates on implementation of the law will be shared."  [Source: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services]

• May 21 at 3:00 pm ET  (in Spanish)  Click here to register.
• May 23 at 2:00 pm ET (in English)  Click here to register.

Asthma Awareness Month Resources

"When you can't breathe, nothing else matters. While asthma sufferers cannot take breathing for granted, well-trained clinicians can do a lot to help them breathe easier. [Association of Clinicians for the Underserved]'s resources are intended to help clinicians mitigate the disproportionate effect of asthma on the underserved...In one location, you can find resources including clinical guidelines, patient education and self-management materials, policy briefs, asthma reports, clinical toolkits, mobile technology and asthma information, and smoking cessation and tobacco materials."  [Source: Association of Clinicians for the Underserved]

[Survey] Patient Navigation, Community Health Worker and Care Coordination in CO Communities

"The Colorado Patient Navigator and Community Health Worker Collaborative hopes to learn more about the resources available to clients and activities underway in the area of patient navigation, community health work and care coordination. We hope the results of this survey will help to better coordinate services within communities through an understanding of what is needed to support this work and the current status of community health work, patient navigation and care coordination in Colorado to advance the field.

As a partner in this effort, the Colorado School of Public Health is helping conduct this survey (COMIRB #13-1524).

Link: https://redcap.ucdenver.edu/surveys/?s=LZJV4g..." This survey will be open until the end of July.

"This survey is intended to capture information about the persons involved in the following role(s):
Section I: Persons actually delivering the service/care to clients
Section II: Persons directing or managing programs
Section III: Persons involved in training
Section IV: Persons conducting research
Section V: Persons involved in policy work/advocacy
Section VI: Persons who are not currently involved but have an interest

Please provide input about ALL areas applicable to your work or services. On average, the survey will take 15 minutes to complete. If you chose to share your contact information and allow your information to be released, you will receive the results of the survey. If you do not wish your contact information to be shared, the data will NOT be provided to outside agencies.  We encourage you to forward this survey along to your networks and colleagues.  Within the survey, there is an opportunity to provide information about networks and individuals you plan to forward/share information; or you can reply to this e-mail or andrea.dwyer@ucdenver.edu if you have any questions or ideas about survey dissemination.  The results and a survey summary will be shared at the Public Health in the Rockies Conference in Breckenridge in September.  There will be a special focus on patient navigation and community health work on September 19th and 20th.  To register for the conference, please visit:  http://www.coloradopublichealth.org/conference/."

iHT2 2013 Health IT Summit - Denver

When: July 24, 2013 8:30 AM - July 25, 2013 3:00 PM
Location: Hyatt Regency Denver Tech Center, 7800 E. Tufts Ave., Denver, CO, 80237

Each year, the Institute for Health Technology Transformation (iHT2) hosts a Denver-based conference which promotes improvements in the quality, safety, and efficiency of health care through information technology and facilitating knowledge exchange. For two full days, healthcare and technology executives interact with a national audience of peers, national leaders and solution providers featuring the latest solutions for practice management, mobility, telemedicine, outsourcing, IT infrastructure, next-generation electronic medical records, disease management, and more...The full conference agenda is available online at http://ihealthtran.com/denveragenda2013.html...
Attendees will have the opportunity to earn continuing education certificates at this event...Click here to learn more and to register.  [Source: CORHIO]

[Webinar] HIPAA Omnibus Follow-Up -- Deeper Dive

"Please join us for THE Consortium webinar ("HIPAA Omnibus Follow-Up -- Deeper Dive") on Thursday, May 16, 2013 from 12:00pm - 1:15pm where we will discuss the HIPAA Omnibus Rule in greater depth than at our recent presentations. The deeper dive will focus on:

•     Handling patient requests for restrictions on disclosures to health plans
•     Providing immunization records to schools
•     New Breach notification procedures
•     What you should be doing NOW to be ready for the September 23rd deadline for compliance"

Click here to register.  [Source: Colorado Rural Health Center]

[Webinar] Make the Call, Don't Miss a Beat!

When: May 16 at 12:00 pm Noon ET

"You are invited to a webinar titled Make the Call, Don't Miss a Beat! a webinar seeking to educate and empower women age 50+ and to encourage women to call 9-1-1 immediately when they experience any of the seven symptoms of a heart attack, and to do the same for their mothers, sisters, and friends. The HHS Office on Women's Health's new campaign builds on OWH's successful "Make the Call, Don't Miss a Beat" campaign, that began in 2011. This webinar will be offered in English at Noon and in Spanish at 1:00 pm ET."  Click here to register.

"Haga La Llamada¡ No Pierda Tiempo!
16 de Mayo a la 1:00 pm ET
Usted está invitado/a a participar a un Webinar en español sobre la campaña de concientización sobre ataques al corazón dirigida a mujeres latinas de 50 años en adelante. La campaña, "Haga la Llamada. ¡No Pierda Tiempo!" tiene como objetivo educar y motivar a las mujeres de habla hispana a llamar al 9-1-1 inmediatamente cuando se presente alguno de los siete síntomas de un ataque al corazón y a hacer lo mismo por sus madres, hermanas y amigas. Es una campaña lanzada por La Oficina de la Salud de la Mujer del Departamento de Salud y Servicios Humanos y el webinar es en colaboración con la HHS Center for Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships."  Click here to register.  [Source: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services]

Updates from HCPF

Colorado Department of Health Care Policy and Financing's CICP May Newsletter is now available.

Governor's Report: The State of Health: Colorado's Commitment to Become the Healthiest State

"Gov. John Hickenlooper presented The State of Health: Colorado's Commitment to Become the Healthiest State today in Civic Center Park. The plan will create a comprehensive and person-centered statewide system to address a broad range of health needs, deliver the best care at the best value and help Coloradans achieve the best health possible."  Click here to view the full report and summary.  [Source: COPrevent]

Medscape Modules Available on ICD-10

"CMS, through Medscape Education, has released two ICD-10 video lectures and an expert article providing practical guidance for the ICD-10 transition. The video lectures are specifically for physicians, while the article covers more general topics for all health care providers. Continuing medical education (CME) credits are available to physicians who complete the modules, and anyone who completes them can receive a certificate of completion. The modules are free. You can use the links below to access them. If you are not a member of Medscape, you will first be prompted to fill out a brief registration form...For questions or technical assistance with the CME modules, please contact Medscape at CME@medscape.net."  [Source: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services]

Bending the Curve: Person-Centered Health Care Reform

"This report proposes system-wide health care reforms that could save the United States $300 billion dollars in the coming decade and $1 trillion over the next 20 years, as well as improve care quality and patient health. The report focuses on changes that will shift payment from the current fee-for-service payment models to models that are more person-centered."  [Source: State Coverage Initiatives]

[Webinar] Using an Electronic Health Record to Create Patient Problem Lists

When: Friday, May 17, 2:00 PM ET

"This webinar will focus on how safety net primary care providers can meaningfully use electronic health records (EHR) to create and maintain patient problem lists.  Created by EHRs, patient problem lists are a core requirement of Meaningful Use. This function serves as a powerful tool for maintaining a patient’s medical history while also helping to engage patients to better track and manage their health care.

Presenters will demonstrate how patient problem lists are created and maintained by EHRs, and share their strategies on how providers can use them for quality improvement and patient engagement.  Lastly, staff from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services will discuss the importance of patient problem lists in achieving Stage 1 and 2 of Meaningful Use...."  Click here to register.  [Source: HRSA]

Affordable Care Act at 3: Federal investments in coverage, consumer protection and prevention

The Colorado Center on Law and Policy is marking the third anniversary of health care reform by exploring the various benefits and aspects of the law in a series of reports: The Affordable Care Act at 3. When fully implemented, the law will fundamentally transform the American health care system, providing affordable, quality health insurance to 30 million otherwise uninsured Americans....Part Four of the series highlights the investments in health care at the state and local level that Congress included as part of the ACA. In total, Colorado has received nearly $400 million in federal grants made available by the ACA. These investments are helping to expand coverage, protect consumers and promote prevention throughout Colorado...Click here to read the report.  [Source: Colorado Center on Law and Policy]

ACA Stakeholder Opportunities with HCPF and COHBE (Connect for Health Colorado)

"In partnership with COHBE [Connect for Health Colorado], the Department of Health Care Policy and Financing is convening a series of meetings with stakeholders to discuss the issues related to the movement between public and private coverage through these new programs.  Movement between the public and private coverage options can lead to disruptions in services in three major areas: providers, eligibility, and benefits.  Recognizing the importance of providing seamless coverage, COHBE and HCPF are engaging with stakeholders to promote alignment of the two programs to minimize these disruptions.  Interested stakeholders are encouraged to participate in these meetings."  Click here to learn more about the stakeholder opportunities, view past meeting presentations and learn about future meetings.  [Source: Colorado Department of Health Care Policy and Financing]

Free Online Health Education Courses

The Colorado School of Public Health and 9Health Fair created two online modules (Improving Access to Health In Colorado and Taking Action to Improve Health in Colorado) regarding issues affecting access to healthcare.  Visit the 9Health Fair website to learn more and to take the modules. 

Information About Colorado Medicaid Assistance Programs

The Colorado Department of Health Care Policy and Financing has created a brochure explaining the Colorado Medicaid Assistance Programs as well as how to become a Medicaid provider. Click here to read the brochure.

Materials from the 4/25 Safety Net Advisory Committee forum are now available

"Last Thursday marked our first SNAC Learning Lab of the 2013-14 season, and [Colorado Health Institute] couldn’t have asked for a better kick-off. Thanks to those of you who attended the forum on specialty care’s role in the Medicaid Accountable Care Collaborative (ACC) and the ACC Payment Reform Initiative (HB12-1281)...The Colorado Health Institute team has posted materials from the meeting here, and plans to post the first of its new series of proceedings, Food for Thought: Updates from the Safety Net Advisory Committee (SNAC), later this week...

We are developing two tracks this year. Track 1 focuses on the ACC. Track 2 focuses on broader issues of access to care. Track 2 kicks off Thursday, May 23 from 12 p.m. to 2 p.m. at CHI. You are welcome to attend either or both tracks.  If you would like to receive Microsoft Outlook meeting appointments for the remaining seven learning labs, please email Kathy Helm at helmk@coloradohealthinstitute.org."  [Source: Colorado Health Institute]

Kaiser Permanente's national Community Benefit Community-Based HIV Test and Treat Initiative

Kaiser Permanente has announced the national Community Benefit Community-Based HIV Test and Treat Initiative as part of their continuing effort to improve the health and well being of racial and ethnic minorities, and to eliminate racial and ethnic disparities in health care and health outcomes, specifically related to HIV disease. The goals of this initiative support Healthy People 2020, a comprehensive set of disease prevention and health promotion objectives for the nation to achieve over the first decades of the 21st Century (www.healthypeople.gov). A focus of Healthy People 2020 is on the elimination of health disparities and reduction of HIV rates among different segments of the population. The Community-based HIV Test and Treat Initiative also aligns with the United States’ first domestic HIV/AIDS strategy (NHAS), released in 2010.

Program goals and application information are available here. Applications are due no later than by 12pm, May 17, 2013 PST.  [Source: Kaiser Permanente]

Job opening at ClinicNET affiliate clinic!

Mountain Resource Center in Conifer has an opening for a Health Coverage Guide. Click here for the job description.

Application Process for Primary Care Fund 2013/2014

The Colorado Department of Health Care Policy and Financing has released information on the application process for the Primary Care Fund 2013/2014.  The goal of the Primary Care Fund is to support community clinics and primary care providers by awarding funding based on the number of medically indigent patients the provider serves.  Please note all clinics will need to apply for Fiscal Year 2013-14 funding.  Applications for the dissemination for funds from the Primary Care Fund are processed once a year.  Click here for more information.  [Source: Colorado Department of Health Care Policy and Financing]

Department of Health Care Policy and Financing Newsletters

The April At a Glance publication provides updates from the Colorado Department of Health Care Policy and Financing.  Also, the latest issue of ACA Implementation News is now available.