Patient Navigator "Level 1" Training

“Patient Navigator Fundamentals is a four-day course designed to improve your patient navigation skills. Topics in this comprehensive “Level 1” training include patient communication, health promotion, professional conduct and motivational interviewing. Don’t miss this opportunity to network with other patient navigators!

The training will be held July 21 8:30am – July 24th 5:00pm at the Pueblo Latino Chamber | 216 S. Victoria Ave. | Pueblo, CO 81003. Visit the website for more information and the general info sheet. Click here to register. Contact colorado.cphp@ucdenver.edu with any questions.” [Source: Center for Public Health Practice, Colorado School of Public Health]

New Phone and Web App Helps Providers Determine Client Cardiovascular Risk

“A new phone application and web program is helping clinicians calculate client risk for cardiovascular disease. The Cardiac Risk Assist app is a resource for clinicians to help calculate the 10-year and lifetime risks for atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) based on the information provided by the user: age, gender, race, total cholesterol, HDL cholesterol, systolic pressure, and additional parameters. Risk estimates are derived from and validated with the CV Risk Calculator from the American Heart Association and American College of Cardiology (AHA/ACC) 2013 Blood Cholesterol Guideline.

“Many of our providers are using it and finding it helpful,” said Sara Ballantyne from Tri-County Health Network. “It is a useful tool to have at your fingertips to provide a quick check of overall risk.” Check out the app and find out more information here. For the web version, go here." [Source: COPrevent]

At a Glance and ACA Implementation News

Click here for the latest issue of ACA Implementation News.

Click here to view the June 2014 At a Glance.  [Source: HCPF]

Save the Date: Safety Net Clinic Week 2014, August 18 – 22

Save the date for the 5th annual Safety Net Clinic Week, August 18-22, 2014!  The week will be devoted to educating the public and policy makers about often overlooked, but vitally important Community Safety Net Clinics (CSNCs). With all the recent changes in health care, this year it is even more crucial to raise public awareness of CSNCs and the impact you have on the patients you serve.

It's time to begin thinking of ways your clinic can participate! Are you interested in hosting city and/or county public officials or business leaders for a site-visit? How about hosting an open house? Seize this opportunity to celebrate and highlight an aspect of your clinic such as your volunteers, new programs or services, back to school activities, etc. Safety Net Clinic Week 2014 Coordinator, Tom Crowe, starts with us on July 1st. He will be in touch to help you get the most out of Safety Net Clinic Week 2014!

WWC issues correction to request for applications

“On June 16, 2014 the Women’s Wellness Connection released a Request for Application (RFA #1276). Revisions have been made to the RFA on June 20, 2014. Please refer to the revised RFA dated June 20, 2014, and the WWC Revision documents. Please submit all applications to wwcApplications@gmail.com only. Please note this is a revised email address.” [Source: COPrevent]

Support for Children’s Oral Health Programs

“Healthy Smiles, Healthy Children (HSHC), an initiative of the Foundation of the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, is committed to improving the quality of pediatric oral health in the United States. HSHC’s Access to Care Grants support community-based initiatives throughout the country that provide dental care and ultimately serve as a Dental Home to underserved/limited access children. Special consideration will be given to programs supporting the age-one dental visit and providing care to special needs patients. These grants of up to $20,000 require cash or in-kind matching funds equal to the grant request dollar amount. Online letter of intent must be submitted by August 18, 2014. Visit the website to download the Access to Care Grants guidelines.” [Source: Healthy Smiles, Healthy Children]

Medicare-Medicaid Demonstration: Upcoming Webinar for Providers

The Colorado Department of Healthcare Policy and Financing is offering a webinar on the State’s Demonstration to Integrate Care for Medicare-Medicaid Enrollees. The webinar 'Medicare/Medicaid Program – What it Means for Providers' will be held Wednesday, July 2, 12:00-1:30pm. Click here to register. Please note: The conferencing system limits each webinar to 100 participants. A recording of the webinar will be made available on the HCPF website and HCPF plans to do subsequent trainings as the Demonstration gets underway. [Source: HCPF]

Team Training Opportunity – Register Now!

“Building Skills for Effective Teams Training – Starts July 30 – Registration Closes July 7

Participants will complete four cumulative skill building workshops over the course of a 12-month period. Teams will receive training geared at strengthening interprofessional collaborative practice that will support the safety net and PCMH implementation transformation and advancement. Participants will learn about team building elements through the TeamSTEPPS program, implement the evidence-based Team Excellence model, develop a team capstone project, and explore ongoing leadership, communication, emotional intelligence, and conflict resolution skills reinforcement.

Registration closes July 7th. Click here to register and to learn more. The dates of the workshop are: Jul. 30 – Aug. 1, 2014 (High ropes on August 1); Oct. 1-3, 2014 (Low ropes on October 2); Jan. 14-16, 2015; Mar. 11-13, 2015. The cost is $225 registration fee per team member – clinics will receive a $500 stipend for each staff member who completes training. Therefore, the clinic makes $275 for each participant who completes the training!

Please contact Angela@cchn.org or Tanah@cchn.org if you have any questions.” [Source: CCHN]

New task force to inform privacy and medical information

“The state is looking for consumer reps and consumer advocates to serve on a newly-created task force (pursuant to HB14-1323) that handles privacy and medical information. HB14-1323 – Limits on Government Access to Personal Medical Information – states that the Governor shall request participation from representatives of consumer advocacy groups and consumers with chronic illness to review, analyze, and make recommendations regarding the ability of state and local government departments and agencies to access, use, and distribute personal medical information and medical records. The timeline is fairly short; it is anticipated that the first meeting of the task force will be July 9, 2014. If you are interested, click here to apply directly to Boards & Commissions.” [Source: CCHI]

Diabetes Prevention Program lifestyle coach training offered

“Viridian Health Management is offering online training classes to become a Lifestyle Coach to deliver the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention National Diabetes Prevention Program. The training is a dynamic blend of independent learning and weekly live Web-based discussions facilitated by a Viridian Master Trainer. Once registered, participants will receive instructions on how to access the online training platform. Throughout the online training, participants will have 24/7 access to technical support.

Click here for more information about the sessions. Cost is $495. Register at www.viridianhealthevents.com. Learn more about the National Diabetes Prevention Program at the CDC.” [Source: COPrevent]

Colorado Health Institute SNAC Lab

“Thanks to all who attended the June 19 SNAC Learning Lab at the Colorado Health Institute. We had a full house and an engaged discussion focused on Emergency Department (ED) use among Medicaid enrollees. We especially appreciate the Regional Care Collaborative Organization (RCCO), Colorado Hospital Association (CHA) and Colorado Department of Health Care Policy and Financing (HCPF) representatives who shared their strategies, metrics, challenges and opportunities on this complicated topic. We will summarize the discussion in our forthcoming edition of Food for Thought.

This SNAC Lab was a continuation of the April discussion of Medicaid ED data and drivers. The April edition of Food for Thought is now posted online here, in addition to all meeting materials and presentations. Be sure to check out the May 2014 edition as well, which focuses on primary care and behavioral care integration.

Save the date for the remaining three SNAC Labs of 2014 (all held 12:00-1:30pm):

• Track 1: Accountable Care Collaborative – September 18
• Track 2: Access to Care – July 17 & October 16” [Source: Colorado Health Institute]

Prescription drug abuse prevention training offered

“The Prescription Drug Abuse Prevention Program, Peer Assistance Services, Inc., in collaboration with the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration is offering the following training for health care providers: Clinical Challenges in Opioid Prescribing: Balancing Safety and Efficacy. The training will be held July 11, 8:30am – 4:45pm at The Cable Center, 2000 Buchtel Bldv, Denver, CO. Physicians will earn 2 COPIC points. Register here by July 3. $50 registration fee includes breakfast, lunch and parking.” [Source: COPrevent]

Articles and Publications

Health News Colorado Opinion: Integrated care – from ideas to execution
June 18, 2014 – Health News Colorado

Survey of Non-Group Health Insurance Enrollees
June 2014 – Kaiser Family Foundation

The ACA and America’s Cities: Few Uninsured and More Federal Dollars
June 2014 – Urban Institute

For more Articles and Publications, visit the ClinicNET website.

Invitation to Participate as a Pilot Provider in The Life Quality Initiative

You are invited to participate in a grant-funded pilot of The Life Quality Initiative, intended to integrate palliative care principles and practices into the primary care setting. The goal is to learn what it takes to embed palliative care concepts into primary care earlier in the disease trajectory and within the trusted relationship of primary care.

The opportunity for interested clinics includes: provider and staff education on palliative care which includes advance care planning and symptom management; skills training for staff on how to have advance care planning with patients and families using the “Respecting Choices” methodology; and practice coaching to develop workflows, processes, documentation, etc. It starts with a focus population of about 30 patients to test the process. If it’s successful, the hope is that the practice will provide screening and services (or referral to a palliative care service).

Click here for more information on this opportunity. [Source: Life Quality Institute]

HCPF asking for input on eConsult system

"The Colorado Department of Health Care Policy and Financing needs your help designing an electronic consultation (eConsult) system to improve access to and utilization of specialty care medical services in the Medicaid program. The Department also plans to provide financial incentives to providers for participating in the eConsult program.

Geographic distances, regional shortages of specialists, and transportation limitations frequently affect both a patient’s and primary care provider’s access to specialty care. Specialists are also often overwhelmed by demands for their services. An eConsult system is one potential solution to these problems. In the appropriate clinical context, eConsult provides an online tool to help primary care and specialist providers communicate and share necessary medical information to determine appropriate treatment plans for primary care implementation or to confirm the need for a specialist visit. eConsult systems can lead to a reduction of unnecessary specialist appointments, improve primary care disease management capabilities, decrease wait times and reduce patient no-shows for specialty care appointments.

Please fill out this brief survey to tell us your preferences for the new eConsult system: https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/Colorado-eConsult-Survey." [Source: COPrevent]

Women’s Wellness Connection releases RFA for breast and cervical cancer screening

“The Women’s Wellness Connection (WWC) has released a Request for Applications (RFA) to fund additional organizations to provide breast and cervical cancer screening and diagnostic services for low-income, uninsured women in Colorado. Existing WWC agencies do not need to apply. Priority will be given to the follow organizations:

• Those serving special populations such as Latina/Hispanic and/or African American women
• Those able to serve counties where current WWC agencies are serving less than 30% of target population based on “WWC Percent of Target Populations Screened for Breast and Cervical Cancer FY2012-2013” map

There will be an Applicants Conference Call on June 20, 2014 and applications are due on July 11, 2014. Click here to download the application.” [Source: COPrevent]

PEAK View June 2014

“PEAK Communications Page: At the end of June, clients will see a new “Communications” tab after signing in to their PEAK account. The Communications page will house several important features for clients to assist them in managing their benefits effectively.

More Dynamic Medical Assistance Online Redeterminations:  After June, redetermination notices will be available to view prior to being due, and renewal questions will be specific to the benefits each household member is receiving.

Online Chat with a CO Medicaid Customer Contact Center Rep: Applicants and clients who have questions about Medical Assistance, including Colorado Medicaid and CHP+, will be able to chat online with a Medicaid Customer Contact Center Representative. The live chat will have limited availability Monday – Friday from 12:30pm – 4:00pm. During that time, the chat icon will display and can be reached by clicking the “Live Chat for Medical Assistance” icon or logging in to ‘Manage My Account’.

Am I Eligible? Screening for WIC: In addition to using PEAK’s ‘Am I Eligible?’ tool to check for potential Food and Cash Assistance benefits, individuals will also receive information about potential eligibility for WIC benefits.

PEAK Training and Support Calls: Click here to view a calendar of upcoming webinars on the June Enhancements and support calls for community partners. The next June Enhancements Overview webinar is June 23 at 1:00pm, click here to register.” [Source: PEAK]

MCH opens 2015 Title V grant application for comments

“The 2015 Colorado Title V Maternal and Child Health (MCH) grant application and report will be submitted to the MCH Bureau on July 15, 2014. MCH Block Grant funds are directed toward improving the health of mothers and children.  The state MCH Program partners with local public health agencies (LPHAs) and other community partners to achieve collective success in effectively serving Colorado’s MCH population. This grant application requests federal funds from Title V of the Social Security Act for Oct. 1 through Sept. 30, 2015. To review more information, click here.

Once you have reviewed this information, contact Risa Friedman at risa.friedman@state.co.us by July 8 with comments or questions or to access the full draft of the grant application. Once the application is completed, the full text will be posted on the CDPHE MCH website.” [Source: COPrevent]

Practice recruitment for ICD-10 testing

“Prior to the implementation of ICD-10 in the fall of 2015, the Colorado Department of Health Care Policy and Financing is looking for providers/practices to help test the claims system and determine the impact of ICD-10 on claims pricing. There are several large provider groups lined up to help, but HCPF is seeking at least one small and one medium-sized practice willing to participate.

The commitment would be 12 weeks, starting around April 2015, of submitting claims both in ICD-9 and ICD-10 formats. The downside is a bit of extra work, but the upside is that participating practices will have a great opportunity to learn and practice the new coding system. When full implementation rolls around, these “test practices” will have an advantage in getting their claims paid promptly.

If you are interested in participating, please contact Ethel Smith at ethel.smith@state.co.us.” [Source: HCPF]

SIM Management Team Weekly Update

“Important Dates to Remember:

• The draft proposal will be distributed to stakeholders on June 27th.
• A webinar will be held July 2. More information will be distributed in the coming weeks regarding information for that webinar.
• All attestation letters are due to the SIM Management Team by July 7th and should be submitted to sara.richey@state.co.us.

Progress:

• The SIM Management team has weekly meetings and includes representatives from the Governor’s Office, CDHS, CDPHE, HCPF, CHI, CU School of Medicine and CIVHC.
• Team leads are working with key stakeholders on all portions of the grant proposal and are submitting their draft narratives, budgets and budget narratives to the Project Director by Friday, June 20th.
• Members of the SIM Management Team have been responding to numerous information requests from interested member of the community.
• The Colorado SIM website will be updated regularly with information and other relevant documents.”  [Source: Colorado SIM]

Upcoming Training Opportunities

“Nursing Leadership Institute – Starts July 11: The goal is to provide nurses with significantly increased knowledge of their own leadership style/strengths, knowledge of specific leadership and communication strategies, and increased skills in working with interprofessional collaborative practice (IPCP) teams in clinic settings.

• Click here to register and for more details click here.
• Registration closes June 20; open to max. 5 safety net participants.
• Cost $150.00 registration fee per participant.
• To attend, please contact Angela Rose at Angela@cchn.org or at 303-867-9511 with your name, title and clinic name.

Building Skills for Effective Teams Training – Starts July 30: Starting in July 2014 and finishing in March 2015, the Building Skills for Effective Teams (BSET) Program will include four 2.5 day workshops on providing and practicing in real-time an expanded set of skills and abilities needed to develop, lead and be part of effective interprofessional teams.

• Click here to register and for more details click here.
• Registration closes July 7; open to a max. 2 safety net teams.
• Cost: $225.00 registration fee per team member.
• To attend please contact Angela Rose at Angela@cchn.org or at 303-867-9511 with your team individual names, titles and clinic name.” [Source: CCHN]

SIM webinar and feedback request

“In case you were unable to attend the SIM Management Team’s webinar on June 5th, we encourage you to watch the full webinar and download the PowerPoint presentation by clicking here.

As discussed during the webinar, the SIM Management Team is seeking stakeholder input. The deadline for feedback is Monday, June 16, 2014. Please visit the website to view the documents and provide feedback using the response form that is provided.

Other ways you can help prior to the submission on 7/21:

• Read final draft proposal to be distributed 6/27
• Participate in webinar on 7/2 (details to be posted online/sent via email)
• Provide attestation letters (due on, or before, 7/7).” [Source: SIM Management Team]

Connect for Health Colorado Updates

• “The Colorado Division of Insurance announced the timeline for carriers to submit their 2015 Affordable Care Act plans and rates. Check the press release page for more updates coming soon.
• If you have a life change event or if you have received an advance premium tax credit and your income has changed, please contact the Customer Service Center, 1-855-752-6749, to report changes.
• New educational materials are available: Life Change Event Rack Card, Native American Brochure, COBRA Brochure, Connect for Health Colorado Overview Presentation.
• Don’t forget to check out our Instagram page!” [Source: Connect for Health Colorado]

NeedyMeds Overview Webinar

“Would you like to learn more about the breadth and depth of resources available on the NeedyMeds website? In this webinar, we will teach you to more effectively navigate our website to get the most savings for yourself or your patients. Join the NeedyMeds Overview Webinar, June 19th, 2pm EST by registering here.

About NeedyMeds: NeedyMeds is a national non-profit organization that maintains a website of free information on programs that help people who can't afford medications and healthcare costs. Uninsured and underinsured Americans rely on NeedyMeds' information when they lose a job, become ill, or have an unexpected increase in the cost of medication.” [Source: NeedyMeds]

Articles & Publications

When Insurance is Not Enough: Now Underinsurance Impacts Health and Finances
June 2014 – The Colorado Health Institute

Nearly half of exchange products offer narrow networks, McKinsey study says
June 10, 2014 – Modern Healthcare

2014 Legislation in Review
June 5, 2014 – The Colorado Health Institute

Free and Charitable Clinics: Helping to Fill the Mental Health Treatment Gap Among the Poor and Uninsured
May 2014 – AmeriCares

The Colorado Eligibility Atlas: Mapping the Uninsured
May 2014 – The Colorado Health Institute

For more Articles and Publications, visit the ClinicNET website.

Dental Benefits Collaborative Updates - Including Date Change

“Complete Denture Benefit
The Department is presenting an emergency rule at the Medical Services Board (MSB) Friday, June 13th to authorize coverage of complete dentures once every 7 years, upon prior authorization, for adult clients age 21 and over. As mentioned previously, if the MSB approves the rule, this new denture benefit will appear in rule separate from the adult dental benefit effective July 1, 2014 and will not be subject to the yearly $1,000 adult dental limit. Note: Although the Complete Dentures Benefit will not be subject to the $1,000 annual adult dental limit, complete dentures will be subject to a set Medicaid allowable rate.

Children’s Dental Benefit

• In the last few weeks the Department has continued to receive insightful feedback on the proposed Children’s Dental Benefit Coverage Standard. Because the Department is committed to implementing a benefit that promotes the health of children, is evidence based and sets reasonable limits upon services, we are looking into this most recent feedback presently.
• As a result, the Department has decided not to take the Children’s Dental Rule to the MSB for initial reading on June 13th as originally planned. We hope to take the rule for initial reading in July and will provide further updates as soon as they become available.
• New Target Date of Friday, July 11 (9am-12pm) – Planned initial reading of Children’s Dental Rule in front of MSB.” [Source: HCPF]

HCPF Updates

“Colorado’s eConsult Survey: HCPF needs your help designing an electronic consultation (eConsult) system to improve access to and utilization of specialty care medical services in the Medicaid program. The Department also plans to provide financial incentives to providers for participating in the eConsult program. Please fill out this brief survey to tell us your preferences for the new eConsult system: https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/Colorado-eConsult-Survey.

For New Clients: Selecting a Medicaid Health Plan and Provider Online: New Medicaid clients can now go online to select their Medicaid health plan and primary care medical provider through HealthColorado. HealthColorado’s new online form can be used by first-time Medicaid clients who are not enrolled in a Medicaid health plan yet.

Notification of Changes to BHOs: Through a competitive Request for Proposal (RFP) process, Colorado Access won the behavioral health contract for northeastern Colorado, which will take effect July 1, 2014. Colorado Access will be doing business as Access Behavioral Care (ABC). Effective July 1, 2014, Northeast Behavioral Health Partnership (NBHP) will no longer manage behavioral health services for northeastern Colorado. For more information please see the May 2014 issue of At A Glance.

Medical Services Board Member Needed: The Department is seeking applicants for a vacant position on the Medical Services Board.  The person appointed to this position must reside in Congressional District 7, be either a registered Republican or an unaffiliated voter and have knowledge of medical assistance programs.  The Medical Services Board considers and promulgates rules submitted by the Department.  Anyone who is interested in being considered for an appointment to the Board should submit an application for membership through the Governor’s Office of Boards and Commissions.

Click here to view the May CICP Newsletter.” [Source: HCPF]

Save the Date: Activating the Network of Oral Health in Colorado

“Oral Health for Total Health: Plan to join OHCO and other stakeholders to talk about how we make sure oral health is part of the total health conversation on June 26th, 9am-noon at The Gill Foundation. Click here to register! Research demonstrates links between gum disease and other health conditions including diabetes, heart disease, and stroke. Learn ways you can engage constituents as advocates, and share your thoughts and ideas about how OHCO can continue to activate our network to improve the health of Coloradans.

Meet OHCO’s New Team Members: Meet our new Executive Director, Deborah Foote along with Coalition Development Director Francoise Mbabazi. They will share an overview about OHCO's activities and vision for the future, including strategies for action in policy, care, community and funding that can move the oral health agenda forward.” [Source: Oral Health Colorado]

FREE Kaiser Permanente Webinars

“Kaiser Permanente Webinars offer “live” interactive learning with a professional health expert and coach. Webinars are free to Kaiser Permanente members and nonmembers. Click here to view the webinars offered June – September 2014.” [Source: Kaiser Permanente]

Stress Management Workshop for Nurses

“Occupational health nurses often experience work-related stress – everything from competing demands for their time, having too much to do, juggling clinical and administrative responsibilities, and trying to maintain a work/life balance. This interactive workshop will review evidence-based best practices for dealing with work stress. In particular, you will discuss various sources of work-related stress and learn strategies to better manage stress at work. Effective stress management is critical to your own health and well-being, as well as for serving your patients and caring for loved ones in your life.

This workshop will be Wednesday, June 11, 1-4pm at Anschutz Medical Campus | Education 2 North Building, Room 1107 | 13121 E. 17th Ave, Aurora, CO 80045. Click here to register or call Brenda Thompson at 303-724-7813.” [Source: COPrevent]

RSVP for the June Colorado Medical Home Community Forum

“The Colorado Medical Home Initiative invites all medical home stakeholders to attend the June Medical Home Community Forum on Tuesday, June 10, 4:30 – 6:45pm. It will be held at CDPHE, Building A in the SABIN/CLEERE Room. The topic is Health Coverage Expansion & Enrollment: Lessons Learned in Year One and Opportunities to Improve the Consumer Experience Moving Forward. Click here for more information and to register.” [Source: Colorado Medical Home Initiative]