ACA Implementation News and At a Glance

Check out the Department of Health Care Policy and Financing's ACA Implementation News from January 29 and February 5.

Click here to view the January edition of At a Glance. [Source: HCPF]

SAVE THE DATE: Essential Perspectives for Safety Net Providers

Save the Date: March 20th, 10am-3pm

We’re hosting a convening for ClinicNET affiliates on March 20th, 10am-3pm, at COPIC. The agenda is currently being drafted. Join us for a presentation about Colorado’s State Innovation Model (SIM), networking opportunities, and much more.

Loan Repayment Opportunity for ClinicNET Safety Net Clinics – APPLICATIONS DUE JAN. 31

Applications for the Kaiser Permanente Education Loan Repayment for Safety Net Clinical Support Staff program are due SATURDAY, January 31, 2015.

The Colorado Community Health Network (CCHN) was funded by the Kaiser Permanente Community Health Fund to administer a loan repayment program for clinical support staff working at ClinicNET Safety Net Clinics, Community Health Centers (CHCs), and Rural Health Clinics in Colorado.  Loan repayment will help ease the burden of prior educational debt for clinical support staff in exchange for a one year service commitment to the safety net clinic.  The Kaiser Permanente Educational Loan Repayment for Safety Net Clinical Support Staff program will help modernize and expand the safety net workforce by supporting recruitment and retention of high performing clinical support staff committed to serving in underserved areas. Clinical support staff may include professions such as dental assistant, dental hygienist, expanded duties dental assistant, lab technician, licensed practical nurse, medical assistant, nursing aide, pharmacy technician, phlebotomist, licensed practical nurse, registered nurse, ultrasound technician, and x-ray technician.

Click here for more information and to access the application.

If you have any questions, feel free to contact Angela Rose at 303-867-9511 or at Angela@cchn.org, or Stephanie Auxier at 303-867-9514 or at SAuxier@cchn.org.

ClinicNET Practice Administrator Group Kick-Off Meeting

In an effort to provide our affiliates with more opportunities to learn, share and network, ClinicNET will be coordinating and helping to facilitate various one-time and ongoing convenings and gatherings in 2015. We’ll be kicking off  a practice administrators cohort February 13th or 20th!

Learn from your peers in the industry, discuss challenges and opportunities! Doctors Care in Littleton has graciously offered to host the inaugural gathering. During this first convening we will meet and greet, determine future topics for discussion and education, discuss scheduling and locations for 2015 gatherings, in addition to touring Doctors Care!

Please determine which of your staff(s) would be appropriate for participation and have them complete this doodle scheduling poll: http://doodle.com/npkhsibmvueyqdfb. We will confirm date and time based on best availability. *Please note new dates/times have been added - please update your preferences if you have already completed the Doodle.

The Colorado Health Foundation Funding Opportunities: Healthy Living

“The Colorado Health Foundation is pleased to announce we will continue to accept applications for the following four funding opportunities within our Healthy Living outcome area. In Healthy Living, our focus is to ensure every kid in Colorado has the opportunity to eat healthy and engage in physical activity. Learn more about strategies and program areas related to this outcome area. Additional details are listed below:

• Funding Opportunity: Empower Children and Families to Make Healthy Food Choices. The goal of this funding opportunity is to increase individual knowledge and skills regarding the purchase and preparation of healthy foods and increase consumer demand by empowering individuals and families to easily make healthy food choices. 
• Funding Opportunity: Increase Affordability of Healthy Food and Beverages. The goals of this funding opportunity are to increase affordability of healthy food and beverages and influence customer purchasing power to increase healthy food consumption and decrease unhealthy food consumption in underserved communities.
• Funding Opportunity: Out-of-School Time Physical Activity. The goal of this funding opportunity is to provide high quality, structured physical activity in out-of-school time settings. Specifically, we are interested in receiving proposals for: implementation or enhancement of quality, structured physical activity opportunities in out-of-school settings (school- or community-based programs).
• Funding Opportunity: Healthy School Meals through Scratch Cooking. The goal of this funding opportunity is to ensure that all kids have healthy meals at school by supporting equipment costs and other needs for school districts that are transitioning from processed school meals to healthy meals cooked from scratch.

To be considered for funding, applicants must meet specific criteria and associated measurable results. Please visit each funding opportunity page for details and assigned program officers. Open Deadlines: Feb. 2015 and June 2015.” [Source: TCHF]

Colorado Dental Health Care Program for Low-Income Seniors Oral Conference, Feb. 2

“Please view agenda and call in information for the Colorado Dental Health Care Program for Low-Income Seniors Oral Conference to be held at 225 E 16th Ave Denver CO 80203 in the 1st floor conference room on Monday February 2, 2015, 1:30-3:00 pm.” [Source: HCPF]

Caring for Colorado 2015-2018 Funding Priorities & Virtual Dental Home Intitaitve

"Caring for Colorado is hosting a webinar on Feb. 5th at 10am to discuss 2015-2018 funding priorities in preparation for the Match grant deadline. Click here to register.

Caring for Colorado announced a 5-year, $3.5 million initiative to pilot the Virtual Dental Home in Colorado. The Virtual Dental Home Initiative will work to bring access to dental services to low-income, vulnerable and isolated children and seniors throughout Colorado using a hub and spoke model of dentistry. Registered Dental Hygienists will be deployed into community settings to provide preventive dental care and will be linked to a “hub” dentist, via tele-health technology, for assessment and treatment planning. A model such as this expands access to preventive care while it also identifies those with treatment needs and facilitates access to treatment via the hub dental office. The goals of the project are to greatly expand access to care for vulnerable populations and to test a new model of delivering dental care in community settings including schools, Head Start centers, assisted living centers and nursing homes." [Source: Caring for Colorado]

Meeting Report - December 4 Stakeholder Meeting on Creating a Specialty Care Referral Hub in Denver

“Click here to view the report from the December 4 stakeholder meeting that was held to gather input on the plan formulated by the Specialty Care Access Group of the Mile High Health Alliance to form a specialty care referral network in Denver. Click here to view the slides from the meeting and click here to view the matrix of referral programs studied while formulating the plan.

If you would like to participate more actively in this work, please contact Lisa McCann at Lisa.McCann@dhha.org and she will connect you to the Specialty Care Access Group.” [Source: Denver Public Health]

Life is Better with Teeth – Toolkit for health advocates

“This year marks the 70th anniversary of community water fluoridation in the United States. To commemorate the ongoing success of this effective, evidence-based public health achievement, the Campaign for Dental Health has put together a toolkit for health advocates on the subject of fluoridation. Content includes letters to the editor, talking points for city council or board meetings, and social media messages that can be tailored to fit your needs.” [Source: COPrevent]

HCPF Looking for Clients to Serve on an Advisory Council – Applications Open

“The Department of Health Care Policy & Financing launched the application process for the Member and Family Advisory Council (MFAC). The MFAC will be made up of Medicaid and CHP+ clients from around the state. The goal is to gather feedback and ideas on how to integrate more person- and family-centered practices into policies, partnerships, and programs. The advisory council plans to meet six to eight times in 2015. Mileage reimbursement and incentives for participation are available. The deadline for applications is Feb. 9, 2015. If you have any questions, contact Olivia Covey at Olivia.Covey@state.co.us or (303) 866-2324” [Source: HCPF]

Connect for Health Colorado Updates

• We presented our Annual Report to legislators on Jan. 15. It includes interesting data from 2014, including the total of $191 million in premium savings our customers received. A few individual stories that demonstrate how lives are changing with access to affordable coverage are also in the report. Read it here.
• Each February we know to expect the forms we need to complete our income tax filings. Connect for Health Colorado customers will get a new one this year. It’s called a 1095-A. Customers will receive it by mail in early February and it will also be made available in their online documents. They will need it to complete their tax forms, whether or not they received financial assistance.  We have posted resources online. From our home page, click Resources and then Tax Info.
• The New York Times looked to Colorado this week to demonstrate how competition is affecting premium rates in state health insurance marketplaces and how widely rates can vary by location. Click here for the story.
• The enrollment period to obtain coverage effective Jan. 1, 2015, ended on Dec. 15, 2014, however, Connect for Health Colorado continues to work with customers who began the process as of Dec. 15, 2014. This Open Enrollment Exceptions Chart portrays the various categories of acceptable situations in which Jan. 1, 2015, coverage can be requested. Assistors can now email effectivedatechange@sc.connectforhealthco.com to request Jan. 1, 2015, coverage. Include “January 1,” the customer’s account number, and first and last name in the subject line of the email.” [Source: Connect for Health Colorado]

IT Cohort Kick-off TOMORROW! Weigh in on the date/time for the Practice Admins kick-off!

ClinicNET is kicking off an Information Technology Cohort TOMORROW, January 23rd from 1:00-3:00pm! This inaugural gathering will be held at Doctors Care at 609 W. Littleton Blvd Suite 100, Littleton, CO 80120. Click here for a draft agenda. Please come with ideas, topics and questions! Refreshments will be served. We strongly encourage in-person attendance, but a call-in option is available: (760) 569-7171, Code 413847. RSVP to brooke.powers@clinicnet.org or 720-863-7803.

The kick-off of the Practice Managers/Administrators Cohort will take place February 6 or 13. Please determine which of your staff(s) would be appropriate for participation and have them complete (using their email address) the updated doodle scheduling poll: http://doodle.com/npkhsibmvueyqdfb

Kaiser Loan Repayment Program for Clinical Support Staff – Application due January 31!

“The Colorado Community Health Network (CCHN) was funded by Kaiser Permanente Community Health Fund to administer a loan repayment program for clinical support professionals working in ClinicNET safety net clinics, Community Health Centers, and Rural Health Clinics in Colorado. Loan repayment will help ease the burden of prior educational debt for clinical support staff in exchange for a one-year service commitment to the safety net clinics. The Kaiser Permanente Educational Loan Repayment for Safety Net Clinical Support Staff program will help modernize and expand the safety net workforce by supporting recruitment and retention of high performing clinical support staff committed to serving in underserved areas.

Click here for more information and to access the application. Applications are due January 31, 2015.

If you have any other questions, feel free to contact Stephanie Auxier at 303-867-9514 or SAuxier@cchn.org, or Angela Rose at 303-867-9511 or Angela@cchn.org.” [Source: CCHN]

2015 IHI Offerings for ClinicNET Affiliates

“Through a generous grant from Kaiser Permanente's Community Benefit Program, ClinicNET is pleased to be able to offer access to the Institute for Healthcare Improvement (IHI) offerings. This program offers contributing ClinicNET affiliates access to registration scholarships and travel support funding to participate in IHI activities. Click here to see 2015 offerings.  Upcoming seminars and training can also be viewed on IHI's website.

If you are interested in a particular offering please contact Brooke Powers at brooke.powers@clinicnet.org or 720-863-7803.” [Source: IHI]

New Funding Opportunity from the Colorado Health Foundation: Team-Based Care

“The Colorado Health Foundation is excited to announce the opening of a new funding opportunity within our Health Care outcome area.

Funding Opportunity: Team-Based Care
The Foundation is dedicated to improving Colorado's primary care through a new funding opportunity focused on optimizing existing care teams to deliver coordinated, high-quality care. The three-and-a-half year opportunity will build off the Foundation's previous investments in practice transformation and integrated care and help prepare primary care practices throughout the state to capitalize on future delivery and payment reform opportunities.

In an attempt to benefit underserved populations and have a greater impact on the primary care system across the state, any primary care clinic (non-profit and for-profit) that serves a significant population of underserved patients is welcome to submit a letter of intent (LOI) by February 15, 2015.

Specifically, we are interested in providing technical assistance to up to 30 clinics to assemble a work plan and budget to strengthen the delivery of their team-based care. Participating clinics will be eligible to apply for three-year grants or no-interest loans to implement their work plans in June 2015. To be considered for funding, applicants must meet specific criteria.

Get more information about this funding opportunity by downloading the FAQ or by contacting the program officer for this funding opportunity, Tanya Weinberg at 303-953-3643 or tweinberg@coloradohealth.org.” [Source: The Colorado Health Foundation]

Colorado Dental Health Care Program for Low-Income Seniors

“The Department of Health Care Policy and Financing (the Department) worked with the Dental Advisory Committee (DAC) over the past few months to establish the Colorado Dental Health Care Program for Low-Income Seniors that was created through the passage of Senate Bill 14-180.  Through the dedication of the DAC the Department is pleased to announce the release of the Request for grant proposals for the Colorado Dental Health Care Program for Low-Income Seniors.  The Department’s website includes all information that will be required to submit the Grant Proposal along with timelines and other beneficial information.” [Source: HCPF]

Recorded Webinar: ClinicNET & CORHIO Health Information Exchange Webinar

Are you interested in learning more about Health Information Exchange (HIE)? We co-hosted a webinar with CORHIO, the state-designated entity for HIE working closely with and among communities across Colorado to implement a cost-effective and secure system for sharing clinical information. The CORHIO HIE allows participants to access clinical patient data from 57 hospitals and 3 major labs, regardless of EHR status. Click here to view the webinar recording. Audio and powerpoint slides from all ClinicNET webinars are on the Affiliate Only section of the ClinicNET website.

The Colorado Health Foundation – Patient Portal Funding Opportunity

“The Colorado Health Foundation is excited to announce that we will be accepting a second and final round of Letters of Intent from eligible organizations interested in applying for the "Enhance health engagement through patient portal use" funding opportunity within our Health Care outcome area.

The goal of this funding opportunity is to increase individual and family health engagement through the use of patient portals at the clinic level. Grant funding will support a cohort of safety net clinics to fully integrate patient portals into their practices, maximize their use by patients and providers, and foster a culture where individuals conveniently access and act on their health information to engage more fully in their health. To be considered for funding, applicants must meet specific criteria. One-year, non-renewable implementation grants will be awarded through this funding opportunity.

Applying for a grant under this funding opportunity involves a two-step process. Specifically:

1. Interested organizations must first submit a Letter of Intent (LOI) to grantproposals@coloradohealth.org by Feb. 15, 2015. The form is located here.
2. Selected organizations will then be invited to submit a full proposal and patient portal work plan by June 15, 2015. These organizations will receive technical assistance and coaching on work plan development and those awarded grants will continue to receive support on the implementation of their plans.

Interested applicants are encouraged to view the Foundation's "Enhance Health Engagement Through Patient Portal Use: Funding Opportunity Webinar" and/or contact Dara Hessee, dhessee@coloradohealth.org, for more information about this funding opportunity.” [Source: The Colorado Health Foundation]

Troubleshooting Tip for PEAK Error Message

"As many of you have seen, applicants are getting stuck in the online application with an error that says: "Error: Please select a value for "Was this person claimed as a tax dependent on someone else's tax return in 2014?" This error message is related to requests for retroactive Medical Assistance.

As a temporary solution, applicants can move forward in the application by un-checking the box for each month that they requested retroactive coverage. However, please note that this would remove the request for retroactive Medical Assistance, and the applicant would need to work with a county case worker to determine whether or not they qualify for retroactive coverage.

The issue is expected to be resolved soon, and we'll provide an update on it in the next PEAKView. Thanks to everyone who reported the error, your support and feedback are appreciated! For additional PEAK resources, visit the PEAK Outreach and Training site or email us at PEAKOutreach@bouldercounty.org." [Source: Colorado PEAK]

Department of Health Care Policy and Financing’s ACA Implementation News

Check out the January 15th issue and January 22nd issue of the Department of Health Care Policy and Financing’s ACA Implementation News. [Source: HCPF]

Colorado Children’s Healthcare Access Program (CCHAP) Practice Manager Newsletter

“Effective January 1, 2015, fee-for-service primary care providers are required to bill the following procedure codes to receive payment for Colorado Medicaid member depression screenings for dates of service on or after January 1, 2015: G8431 (positive screening) or G8510 (negative screening). Additional ICD-9 diagnosis codes are required. CPT code 99420 will not be accepted for dates of service on or after January 1, 2015.

Check out CCHAP’s latest Practice Manager Newsletter for more information on:

• CCHAP Practice Manager Meeting Feb. 20th
• Vaccine Administration Code Additions
• Influenza Vaccine Coding and Rate Table
• Depression Screening Coding Changes
• Colorado Awards State Innovation Model (SIM) Funding
• Colorado Launches New Child Abuse and Neglect Hotline
• Payment Collection from Medicaid Patients
• Cavity Free at Three
• Locum Tenens” [Source: CCHAP]

ClinicNET & CORHIO Health Information Exchange Webinar - REGISTER TODAY

Are you interested in learning more about Health Information Exchange (HIE)? Join us for a webinar on January 20th from noon-1pm, click here to register! We are co-hosting this webinar with CORHIO, the state-designated entity for HIE working closely with and among communities across Colorado to implement a cost-effective and secure system for sharing clinical information. The CORHIO HIE allows participants to access clinical patient data from 57 hospitals and 3 major labs, regardless of EHR status. Learn more about HIE services that can benefit your clinics and have the opportunity to ask questions of the HIE experts. Contact johanna.gelderman@clinicnet.org with any questions.

ClinicNET Affiliate Information Technology Cohort Kick-Off Meeting January 23rd! Practice Administrators in February!

We’re kicking off a Information Technology Cohort on January 23rd from 1:00-3:00pm! Learn from your peers in the industry, discuss challenges & opportunities. This inaugural gathering will be held at Doctors Care at 609 W. Littleton Blvd Suite 100, Littleton, CO 80120. During this first convening we will meet/greet, determine future topics for discussion and education, discuss scheduling and locations for 2015 gatherings, in addition to touring Doctors Care! (Please come with ideas, topics and questions!) RSVP to JoJo Gelderman at johanna.gelderman@clinicnet.org or 720-863-7804.

The kick-off of the Practice Administrators Cohort has been temporarily postponed until February 6 or 13. Please determine which of your staff(s) would be appropriate for participation and have them complete (using their email address) the updated doodle scheduling poll: http://doodle.com/npkhsibmvueyqdfb

Any questions about these cohorts can be directed to Brooke Powers at brooke.powers@clinicnet.org or 720-863-7803.

Kaiser Loan Repayment Program – Application is Open!

“The Colorado Community Health Network (CCHN) was funded by Kaiser Permanente Community Health Fund to administer a loan repayment program for clinical support professionals working in ClinicNET safety net clinics, Community Health Centers, and Rural Health Clinics in Colorado. Loan repayment will help ease the burden of prior educational debt for clinical support staff in exchange for a one-year service commitment to the safety net clinics. The Kaiser Permanente Educational Loan Repayment for Safety Net Clinical Support Staff program will help modernize and expand the safety net workforce by supporting recruitment and retention of high performing clinical support staff committed to serving in underserved areas.

Click here for more information and to access the application. The application cycle is January 1-31, 2015.

If you have any other questions, feel free to contact Stephanie Auxier at 303-867-9514 or SAuxier@cchn.org, or Angela Rose at 303-867-9511 or Angela@cchn.org.” [Source: CCHN]

We've extended the deadline to complete our 2014 Annual Affiliate Survey!

We've extended the deadline to complete our 2014 Annual Affiliate Survey! If you are a ClinicNET affiliate staff member and have not yet completed the survey, please do so by Monday, January 19th. All respondents will be entered into a drawing to win 1 of 2 $25 Amazon.com gift cards! Your participation will help us understand our impact, your needs and how we can improve our technical assistance, outreach, education & advocacy work.  Thank you in advance for your feedback!

Colorado All Payer Claims Database (APCD) Custom Data Available, Funding Deadline Jan 28th

“The Colorado All Payer Claims Database is a statewide resource to inform and support innovation in health care. Data is available publicly through www.comedprice.org, and custom data reports are available to communities, state agencies and other organizations working on specific projects to reach the Triple Aim of better health, better care and lower costs.

For a limited time, financial assistance is available to public and non-profit organizations in need of custom data sets and reports. Click here for a summary of ways different types of organizations are using custom data reports.

Next deadline to apply for funding is January 28th. Funding is available on a first-come, first-serve basis. Amount available ranges from $2,500 to $25,000 (some matching required). Click here for details on eligibility, matching fund requirements and types of data and awards available, or contact ColoradoAPCD@civhc.org for more information.” [Source: CIVHC]

Connect for Health Colorado Updates

• “We realize technical issues have been difficult and frustrating for many since the start of Open Enrollment, and they have hampered enrollment.  Our chief executive shared a message this week with our network of experts helping people enroll which outlines our progress in resolving these issues. To read it, click here.
• We released enrollment numbers updated through the end of the year through the news media this week. Our 113,864 enrollments for that period, along with the 37,498 new Medicaid and CHP+ enrollments mean more than 151,000 Coloradans obtained health insurance between Nov. 15 and Dec. 31, 2014. More information here.
• Exchanges that, like Colorado, take a more hands off approach and serve as a clearinghouse for private health insurance coverage were found to have consistently lower priced coverage, according to a recent study reported in Governing.com. Read more.” [Source: Connect for Health Colorado]

CICP Stakeholder Forum and Executive Forum

“The next CICP Stakeholder Forum is scheduled for Thursday, January 29 from 9-11am at 225 E. 16th Ave | Conference Room 6 A/B | Denver, CO 80203. Click here to view the agenda and meeting materials.

Save the date for the next CICP Executive Forum scheduled for March 26 at 225 E. 16th Ave | 1st Floor Conference Room | Denver, CO 80203. Click here for the tentative agenda. A registration link will be sent out closer to the meeting date.” [Source: HCPF]

Dental Caries Management (DCM) Collaborative – Funding Opportunity

“The DentaQuest Institute is pleased to announce their call for applications for the DCM Collaborative. This initiative will bring up to ten teams from sites across the country (community health centers, private practice, and academic institutions) for an 18-month collaborative from March 2015 to August 2016, focused on developing and testing a chronic disease management protocol for children, adolescents, and young adults, ages 6-20.

Why Apply? Benefits for your practice include:

• Improve the patient experience
• Create positive rapport with patients and their parents
• Implement care processes that are customized to the unique needs of patients
• Learn and apply process improvement skills to clinical practice
• Access to national experts in oral health and quality improvement
• Join a community of colleagues working towards a common aim, and lead the future of oral health care delivery
• Improve patient oral health

Apply now, rolling online applications are open! To learn more watch the webinar recording of the DCM Collaborative Informational Webinar or contact Carrie Peltier, Quality Improvement Project Manager, at carrie.peltier@dentaquestinstitute.org. [Source: DentaQuest Institute]

The Colorado Trust Health Equity Learning Series

“You’re invited to attend this year’s first Health Equity Learning Series event on Thursday, Feb. 5, 2015, with a presentation from Doran Schrantz. The event will be held at History Colorado Center, with networking and breakfast from 8-8:30am and the program 8:30-10am. Click here to register by Wednesday, Jan. 28.  If you are unable to attend the breakfast, click here to register for the live stream.

Doran Schrantz is executive director of ISAIAH, a faith-based community organization of 100 member congregations in Minnesota. Ms. Schrantz has transformed ISAIAH into one of the most powerful voices in Minnesota around issues of racial and economic justice. ISAIAH has explored the intersection of community organizing, policy and research and has launched powerful partnerships with national policy leaders. Ms. Schrantz will discuss how ISAIAH engages communities to develop solutions to health equity issues, and how other organizations and individuals can become part of such a movement.” [Source: The Colorado Trust]

HCPF’s ACA Implementations News

Click here to view the latest issue of the Department of Health Care Policy and Financing’s ACA Implementation News. [Source: HCPF]

Colorado Medical Home Community Forum – Access to Pediatric Specialty Care

“The Colorado Medical Home Initiative invites all medical home stakeholders including you, your colleagues, families, policy makers and organization/agency staff to attend the next Medical Home Community Forum on February 10th at 4:30pm – 6:45pm. The topic of this forum is Access to Pediatric Specialty Care. It will be held at CDPHE | Building A in the DOC | 4300 Cherry Creek Drive South | Denver CO 80246. Click here to RSVP.” [Source: Colorado Medical Home Initiative]

ClinicNET & CORHIO Health Information Exchange Webinar, January 20

Are you interested in learning more about Health Information Exchange (HIE)? Join us for a webinar on January 20th from noon-1pm, click here to register! We are co-hosting this webinar with CORHIO, the state-designated entity for HIE working closely with and among communities across Colorado to implement a cost-effective and secure system for sharing clinical information. The CORHIO HIE allows participants to access clinical patient data from 57 hospitals and 3 major labs, regardless of EHR status. Learn more about HIE services that can benefit your clinics and have the opportunity to ask questions of the HIE experts. Contact johanna.gelderman@clinicnet.org with any questions.

New Funding Opportunity from the Colorado Health Foundation: Team-Based Care

“The Colorado Health Foundation is excited to announce the opening of a new funding opportunity within our Health Care outcome area.

Funding Opportunity: Team-Based Care
The Foundation is dedicated to improving Colorado's primary care through a new funding opportunity focused on optimizing existing care teams to deliver coordinated, high-quality care. The three-and-a-half year opportunity will build off the Foundation's previous investments in practice transformation and integrated care and help prepare primary care practices throughout the state to capitalize on future delivery and payment reform opportunities.

In an attempt to benefit underserved populations and have a greater impact on the primary care system across the state, any primary care clinic (non-profit and for-profit) that serves a significant population of underserved patients is welcome to submit a letter of intent (LOI) by February 15, 2015.

Specifically, we are interested in providing technical assistance to up to 30 clinics to assemble a work plan and budget to strengthen the delivery of their team-based care. Participating clinics will be eligible to apply for three-year grants or no-interest loans to implement their work plans in June 2015. To be considered for funding, applicants must meet specific criteria.

Get more information about this funding opportunity by downloading the FAQ and attending an informational webinar on Jan. 14, or by contacting the program officer for this funding opportunity, Tanya Weinberg at 303-953-3643 or tweinberg@coloradohealth.org.” [Source: The Colorado Health Foundation]

Kaiser Loan Repayment Program – Application is Open!

“The Colorado Community Health Network (CCHN) was funded by Kaiser Permanente Community Health Fund to administer a loan repayment program for clinical support professionals working in ClinicNET safety net clinics, Community Health Centers, and Rural Health Clinics in Colorado. Loan repayment will help ease the burden of prior educational debt for clinical support staff in exchange for a one-year service commitment to the safety net clinics. The Kaiser Permanente Educational Loan Repayment for Safety Net Clinical Support Staff program will help modernize and expand the safety net workforce by supporting recruitment and retention of high performing clinical support staff committed to serving in underserved areas.

Click here for more information and to access the application. The application cycle is January 1-31, 2015.

If you have any other questions, feel free to contact Stephanie Auxier at 303-867-9514 or SAuxier@cchn.org, or Angela Rose at 303-867-9511 or Angela@cchn.org.” [Source: CCHN]

ClinicNET Affiliate Information Technology Cohort Kick-Off Meeting January 23rd! Practice Administrators in February!

We’re kicking off a Information Technology Cohort on January 23rd from 1:00-3:00pm! Learn from your peers in the industry, discuss challenges & opportunities. This inaugural gathering will be held at Doctors Care at 609 W. Littleton Blvd Suite 100, Littleton, CO 80120. During this first convening we will meet/greet, determine future topics for discussion and education, discuss scheduling and locations for 2015 gatherings, in addition to touring Doctors Care! (Please come with ideas, topics and questions!) RSVP to JoJo Gelderman at johanna.gelderman@clinicnet.org or 720-863-7804.

The kick-off of the Practice Administrators Cohort has been temporarily postponed until February 6 or 13. Please determine which of your staff(s) would be appropriate for participation and have them complete (using their email address) the updated doodle scheduling poll: http://doodle.com/npkhsibmvueyqdfb

Any questions about these cohorts can be directed to Brooke Powers at brooke.powers@clinicnet.org or 720-863-7803.

Provider Recruitment Chronic Pain Disease Management Program

“The Accountable Care Collaborative (ACC) invites you to participate in a new Chronic Pain Disease Management Program. Modeled after the Project ECHO (Extension for Community Healthcare Outcomes) program developed in New Mexico, the Chronic Pain Management Program leverages cutting edge telehealth technologies to connect PCMPs to specialists. PCMPs consult directly with specialists regarding client cases and learn best practices for treating clients with a variety of chronic pain conditions.

The Department will sponsor approximately 50 PCMPs to serve as telehealth pioneers for Colorado. Participation in ECHO-like program is easy and the benefits for providers and their clients are significant: click here to view a flier for more information. To learn more & sign-up for the Pain Management Program please e-mail jd.belshe@state.co.us by January 15th.” [Source: HCPF]

Half price offer from ClearTriage for Dr. Barton Schmitt’s telephone triage protocols in electronic format

“ClearTriage is a local company providing Dr. Schmitt’s nationally-used telephone triage protocols in software format to pediatric clinics. These are the same protocols used by Children’s Hospital Colorado’s call center, but specially formatted for daytime use in practices and clinics.

ClearTriage is offering their software at a 50% discount to ClinicNET affiliate clinics. This software provides:

• Faster, standardized documentation in your EHR
• 45 protocols not in the book
• Protocol checklists that truly get used, improving triage safety and consistency
• Easy and fast search
• Works with no installation on your computer or network

ClearTriage is available for a 30-day free trial. Learn more at www.cleartriage.com or contact Dave Schmitt at dave@cleartriage.com or 720-593-1001." [Source: ClearTriage]

Live Webcast – Meaningful Use & Audit Survival Guide

“Join PrivaPlan for an educational webcast on January 15th at 12:00pm where they’ll cover Meaningful Use (MU) attestation preparation, audit preparation and audit survival, and last but not least, how to prepare for MU in 2015. PrivaPlan has helped hundreds of eligible professionals and hospitals successfully attest to MU over the last 4 years, as well as pass Medicare and Medicaid audits. PrivaPlan even successfully helped appeal negative audit determinations. Click here to register and view the agenda.” [Source: PrivaPlan]

Department of Health Care Policy and Financing Updates

Click here to view the latest issue of HCPF’s ACA Implementation News.

Click here to view the December edition of At a Glance. [Source: HCPF]