ACA Implementation News and At A Glance – Department of Health Care Policy and Financing

Check out the February 26th issue and March 5th issue of HCPF’s ACA Implementation News.

Click here to view the February edition of HCPF’s At A Glance Newsletter. [Source: HCPF]

ClinicNET Loan Repayment and Provider Recruitment webinar - REGISTER TODAY!

ClinicNET is hosting a free Loan Repayment and Provider Recruitment webinar, on March 3rd, noon-1pm. *Please note this is the rescheduled webinar from February 17th. We have guest presenters Sara Maki from the Primary Care Office at the Colorado Department of Public Health & Environment and Sara Leahy from the Colorado Rural Health Center. They will be talking about loan repayment programs such as the Colorado Health Service Corps and the National Health Service Corps, the Colorado Provider Recruitment Program, and answering questions regarding provider recruitment and retention. Click here to register.

Half-day ClincNET Affiliate Convening March 20th, register today!

Please join us for a half-day ClinicNET Affiliate Convening, March 20th from 10am-3pm! 

Presentation and discussion will include the State Innovation Model (SIM) and other practice transformation efforts, ECHO Colorado, specialty care e-consultations/referrals and much more. The convening will be held at COPIC | 7351 E. Lowry Blvd. | Denver, CO 80230. Lunch will be served and there will be plenty of time to network with your peers in the safety net. Click here to register today!

Check out what ClinicNET has been up to in the 2015 legislative session!

ClinicNET strives to advance health care access, health equity and innovative models of care delivery. We offer a centralized voice to advocate for legislation and policies that strengthen the health care safety net system. We also advocate for expanded access to and provision of high quality care for low income, newly insured, uninsured and underinsured Coloradans on behalf of Community Safety Net Clinics. The 2015 legislative session has been busy!

We’ve taken positions on the following bills as of February 13, 2015:

• HB15-1032: Licensed Mental Health Professionals Treat Minors - Support
• HB15-1039: Prescription Give-back for Institutions - Support
• HB15-1141: Hospital Provider Fee Patient Billing Statements - Oppose
• HB15-1163: Contingent Repeal Health Insurance Laws Aligning with ACA – Oppose
• HB15-1194: Authorize General Fund Dollars for LARC Services – Support
• SB15-053: Dispense Supply of Emergency Drugs for Overdose Victims - Support

Click here to view ClinicNET's 2015 Legislative and Policy Priorities. Click here to view ClinicNET’s Bill List for more information on bills we've taken a position on and are monitoring. If you have any questions or concerns please contact brooke.powers@clinicnet.org.

Maternal and Child Health (MCH) webinar

“Please join the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment for an upcoming webinar to learn about the results of the 2016-2020 Maternal and Child Health (MCH)  needs assessment process. Key findings and the new MCH priorities will be revealed!  We welcome families and youth along with our partners working in public health, education, human services, and philanthropy to participate.

As you may know, every five years Colorado's MCH Program is required to conduct a statewide needs assessment of the health and well-being of Colorado’s women, children, youth and their families. The purpose of the assessment is to identify seven to 10 specific priorities that public health can impact during the next five years. The selected priorities will drive state and local MCH work from 2016-2020.

Click here to RSVP for one of two dates: March 23, 1:30-3pm or April 2, 1:30-3pm.” [Source: COPrevent]

Connect for Health Colorado Updates

• “We wrapped up our second Open Enrollment period this week with about 140,000 covered lives in 2015 medical coverage, and 54% of them qualifying for financial assistance. In addition, we enrolled nearly 25,000 people in dental coverage (there is overlap, so don’t add the totals). We continue to work with customers who have not completed their enrollments. For more, including links to county totals, click here.
• How are we doing? We're doing well, according to the just released Gallup Healthways Well Being report. Coloradans score high on a holistic health index based on household surveys. The organization asks people about their physical wellbeing, financial wellbeing, sense of community and sense of purpose. Colorado ranks No. 6 overall. The report.
• We know there are a lot of questions new about income taxes and the Affordable Care Act. We hope you will find this guide useful in your conversations.” [Source: Connect for Health Colorado]

Update on Coding and Billing for Developmental and Behavioral Screening - CCHAP Clinical Newsletter

“Update on Coding and Billing for Developmental and Behavioral Screening: The good news (and this is a reminder) is that Colorado Medicaid reimburses medical homes for a number of developmental and behavioral health screenings. The new news is that they have recently changed the required coding methods in ways that help them, and you, keep track of positive and negative screens. The bad news is that many practices are not billing and coding according to the new requirements; or are doing the screenings but not bothering to bill them at all.  And as a result, some practices are not getting reimbursed appropriately for the screenings.

Colorado Medicaid often leads the way on screening and then later, the commercial plans follow suit. So, most commercial plans now also pay for these screenings. Each of these screening tests address something that is a health disparity for children on Medicaid: they have poorer outcomes, so they really need to be screened. But, it also addresses something that is very important for all children. Click here to see what Medicaid will reimburse you.

Click here to view the full Colorado Children’s Healthcare Access Program’s Clinical Newsletter.” [Source: CCHAP]

HCPF's ACA Implementation News

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

ClinicNET Practice Administrators Cohort kicks off TOMORROW!

ClinicNET is kicking off a Practice Administrators Cohort TOMORROW, February 20th from 9:30-11:30am. This inaugural gathering will be held at Doctors Care at 609 W. Littleton Blvd Suite 100, Littleton, CO 80120. Please come with ideas, topics and questions! RSVP to brooke.powers@clinicnet.org or 720-863-7803.

Institute for Healthcare Improvement (IHI) Open School scholarship opportunity

Through a generous grant from Kaiser Permanente's Community Benefit Program, ClinicNET is pleased to be able to offer scholarships for the IHI Open School and other offerings. Click here to view the updated list of IHI program offerings.

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 here to view course summaries.

Demo programs are available for those without a subscription but who would like to take a couple courses to better understand what the Open School offers (including 'hubs' wanting to learn more!).  These can be found on the Open School Sample Lessons page.

ClinicNET affiliates interested in IHI Open School or other IHI programs should contact Program Manager Brooke Powers at brooke.powers@clinicnet.org. [Source: Institute for Healthcare Improvement]

Chronic Pain Disease Management Program – Informational Webinars

“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.) 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.

Select from three Chronic Pain Management Programs. Click here to learn more about the programs.

1. Chronic Pain Telehealth Program
2. Buprenorphine Telehealth Program
3. Pain Management Practice Transformation Learning Collaborative

There are a series of upcoming webinars for interested providers:

• February 23, 8:30-9:30am; http://whoozin.com/VQP-7AG-QN49
• February 26, 12-1pm; http://whoozin.com/6P3-CFF-KYUT
• February 27, 1-2pm; http://whoozin.com/NQF-E6G-M7MX

To learn more and sign-up for the Pain Management Program please e-mail Ági Erickson at ericksa@chc1.com or call 860-347-6971 ext. 3741.” [Source: HCPF]

Kaiser Permanente’s Colorado Bridge Program Survey

“Please take 5 minutes to provide feedback on your experience with Kaiser Permanente's Colorado Bridge Program. Click here for the survey.” [Source: Kaiser Permanente]

Community Provider Rate Increase (Medicaid Targeted Rate Increase)

“Click here to view the Department’s final recommendations for targeted rate increases for the FY2016-17 budget. We received 41 submissions for feedback and 30 formal stakeholder proposals. Of the 30 formal proposals, the Department is recommending 13 of the proposals at a total cost of $16,302,540. Please note that while these are the Department’s recommendations for rate increases, it is ultimately up to the Joint Budget Committee and the General Assembly to approve or adjust our recommendations.

Even if your proposal was not included in our final recommendations, I want to express our continued commitment to meeting with provider groups throughout the year to learn how we can be better partners. We also acknowledge that this current process allows for limited input from stakeholders which is why  the Department is asking the JBC to approve an annual rate review process that will provide a more objective and data driven approach to adjusting our rates in years when there is money for increases and years when there is not. The process would also include a specific phase for stakeholder input. If you have any questions, please email judy.zerzan@state.co.us.” [Source: HCPF]

Provider News: Delay in Paying Enhanced Primary Care Rates

"Some of you may have noticed that your E&M and/or vaccination claims are still being paid at the usual Medicaid rate.  The Department apologizes for the delay in implementation of the higher reimbursement rate and has approved the following information to be shared across the provider community.

• Beginning January 1, 2015, Colorado Medicaid is reimbursing covered office visit (E&M) and vaccine administration procedure codes at a rate equal to 100% of the December 2014 Medicare reimbursement rate.
• The new rate is available to all enrolled providers that submit fee schedule claims for office visits or vaccine administrations. The new reimbursement rate will remain in place through June 30, 2016.
• Due to a delay in CMS approval of the new rates, the higher rates have not yet been loaded in the Department’s claims processing system.  The Department does not have an anticipated approval date at this time.
• The Department will retroactively adjust claims with dates of service on or after January 1, 2015, to reflect the rate increase.
• Providers should continue to submit charges based on Usual and Customary rates, when applicable.  Automatic adjustments can be made by the Department’s MMIS only if the original submitted charge on a claim is greater than the newly revised rate; otherwise, the provider must resubmit a claim with the higher rate.
• Once CMS approval is received, the new rates will be loaded and will be paid upon claim submittal. "

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

Click here to view the February 2015 CICP Newsletter. [Source: HCPF]

Webinar: Improving Cardiac Health and Reducing Cardias Healthcare Disparities

“In support of American Heart Month join Million Hearts in Colorado for an Improving Cardiac Health and Reducing Cardiac Healthcare Disparities Webinar  on February 26 from 2:00 – 3:00 pm (MT). Topics include:

• NCC: National Alignment to Support the QIN-QIO Efforts to Improve Cardiac Health and Reduce Cardiac Health Disparities
• Million Hearts: Using Clinical Innovations to Prevent One Million Heart Attacks and Strokes (Speaker: Hilary Wall, MPH)
• AMA-JHM: Overview of the Improving Health Outcomes: Blood Pressure Program (Speakers: Peter Pronovost, MD, PhD, FCCM & Omar Hasan, MBBS, MPH, MS, FACP)
• American Heart Association: Community and Ambulatory Clinical Initiatives on Cardiac Health (Speakers: Kathleen Shoemaker, Pharm D, MBA & Juliana Crawford)

How to participate:

1. Prior to the webinar, review your BP control rate data. Come with questions on finding and addressing your opportunities for improvement.
2. Registration for this event can be accessed here.
3. Invite your team to participate with you.
4. Click here for more information on your region’s QIN-QIO.” [Source: COPrevent]

Connect for Health Colorado Updates

• “Part of the expansion of coverage under the Affordable Care Act includes a carrot – Advance Premium Tax Credits for qualifying families and individuals – and part includes a stick – a penalty for going three or more months without coverage. We emphasized both in recent news media outreach efforts around Colorado. The Denver Post covered it well Thursday in this article and other outlets all over Colorado have as well.
• In Colorado and many other states, this Open Enrollment period has been affected by shifts in premiums for the second lowest cost silver plan.  The Kaiser Family Foundation put together an infographic to illustrate the change in monthly premiums by county, and select cities, from 2014 to 2015 for a 40-year-old person covered by the second-lowest-cost silver “benchmark” plan. We noticed that the largest premium drop was in Summit County, with a 45% decrease. After accounting for tax credits, premiums for a 40-year-old person with an annual income of $30,000 would remain flat in most of the country, as long as the enrollee changed from the 2014 benchmark plan to the plan designated as the benchmark for 2015. Check it out.” [Source: Connect for Health Colorado]

Covering Kids and Families collecting stories on 'Family Glitch'

“The “family glitch” refers to a problem in the Affordable Care Act (ACA) that makes it difficult for some kids and spouses to qualify for premium tax credits if they could be covered as a dependent by employer-sponsored coverage through a family member. Covering Kids and Families (CKF) is working with several Colorado advocacy groups to collect stories about how the family glitch negatively impacts Coloradans’ ability to qualify for premium tax credits. Please provide feedback using this link by Wednesday, February 25, 2015.” [Source: Covering Kids and Families]

State Innovation Model (SIM) Updates

“Upon hearing of our notification of award, our small (but growing) SIM team has been putting many building blocks in place so that we can have a smooth and efficient year ahead.  We are excited to provide you with some key updates, FAQs as well as a high level budget for SIM. There are several important items I would like to highlight:

• The first year of our federal cooperative agreement is a ramp-up year.  This year will be used to ensure the best operational structure and decision-making processes for SIM -- ones that allow us to be both accountable and transparent.  This, in part, entails the development of a number of contracts and interagency agreements with some of our key partners and procurement for other essential parts of our program.
• In addition, we will be hiring a number of positions and establishing an advisory board in the coming months and are looking for talented individuals to help us realize our goals.  Stay tuned for more!” [Source: Colorado SIM]

ClinicNET Workforce Recruitment and Retention Webinar - REGISTER TODAY

ClinicNET is hosting a Workforce Recruitment and Retention webinar, on February 17th from noon-1pm. We have guest presenters Sara Maki from the Primary Care Office at the Colorado Department of Public Health & Environment and Sara Leahy from the Colorado Rural Health Center. They will be talking about loan repayment programs such as the Colorado Health Service Corps and the National Health Service Corps, the Colorado Provider Recruitment Program, and answering questions regarding provider recruitment and retention. Click here to register.

The Colorado Health Foundation Health Coverage Funding Opportunity – Deadline Feb. 15th

“Program Area: Support a "no wrong door" approach to enrollment that maximizes the use of technology and targets in-person assistance where needed.

Funding Opportunity: Community approach to outreach and enrollment
Increase health coverage for Coloradans, while strengthening and enhancing local collaboratives and networks. Specifically, we are interested in receiving proposals for community-level planning and implementation of coordinated outreach and enrollment activities. Stand alone or individual organization outreach and enrollment efforts will not be considered for funding.

Grant deadline is February 15th. Click here for more information on applicant criteria and eligibility.” [Source: TCHF]

ClinicNET IT Cohort– weigh in on the date for the next meeting!

Thank you to everyone who attended the inaugural Information Technology (IT) Cohort on January 23rd! The group came up with a great list of topics for discussion and shared learning including: Help Desk functionality; Virtualization; HIPAA Privacy & Security Compliance; Data & Reporting; Patient Portals & Apps; "Stuff” Clearinghouse; Population Management tool; Remote Access; HIE: Meaningful Use: and Shared Services.

The next meeting will be hosted at Inner City Health Center on either April 10 or April 17 from 1-3pm. Please complete this Doodle with your preferred date: http://doodle.com/rcxbcpa99q4dnxur.

*Please forward this information along to any appropriate staff members.

2015 Healthcare Effectiveness Data and Information Set (HEDIS) Medicaid data collection

“The Department of Health Care Policy and Financing has begun preparing for the 2015 Healthcare Effectiveness Data and Information Set (HEDIS®) Medicaid data collection study. The Department has contracted with Health Services Advisory Group, Inc. (HSAG), to conduct this study. Beginning in February 2015, Guardian Angel Consulting will be contacting providers to collect the necessary medical records. It is critical to the success of the study that providers respond with the requested information as soon as possible.

Obtaining a signed release form from the member is not necessary; by signing the Medicaid application, the member has already agreed to medical record access. In addition, the provider contract/agreement with the Department contains a statement allowing the Department and its designees access to the medical records of Medicaid members. The Code of Colorado Regulations allows the Department or its designees to obtain copies of medical records “at the expense of the provider”; therefore, reimbursement to the provider or to vendors for photocopying medical records is not offered.

If you receive a medical record request, you must send your charts to Guardian Angel Consulting prior to the May 9, 2015, deadline. Please do not send charts to Guardian Angel Consulting after this date, as they will not be included in the study. Thank you for your cooperation towards the success of this project.

If you have any questions about the 2015 HEDIS data collection study, please contact Rachel Henrichs, HSAG project coordinator, at 303-755-1912, or Russell Kennedy (HCPF) at 303-866-3340.” [Source: HCPF]

Colorado Dental Health Care Program for Low-Income Seniors - Proposals due Feb. 20th

“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.  Grant proposals for the Colorado Dental Health Care Program for Low-Income Seniors are due Feburary 20th by 5pm MST. 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]

Regional Institute for Health and Environmental Leadership (RIHEL) – Leadership development opportunities

“The Regional Institute for Health and Environmental Leadership is now accepting applications for the Advanced Leadership Training Program Class of 2016. This year-long program brings together health and environment professionals from the Rocky Mountain region for a unique and advanced leadership development opportunity. Click here for program details and access to the online application. Applications due April 30th.

Registration is now open for Leadership is for Everyone (LIFE), a one-day seminar designed to expand your toolbox of leadership skills. The purpose of this educational event is to provide an annual leadership development and networking opportunity for the Colorado, Wyoming and New Mexico region. The seminar is April 17 8-am-4pm at Church Ranch Event Center | 10200 Wadsworth Blvd. | Broomfield, Colorado 80021. Click here for more information and to register.” [Source: RIHEL]

Connect for Health Colorado Updates

• “We now know that our customers received $251 million in financial assistance last year through Advance Premium Tax Credits. We had estimated a lower figure in our annual report, which we are required to complete in early January. The full amount became clear as we completed work with our carrier partners. It’s a good measure of what we have been able to accomplish in making health insurance more affordable to Coloradans and the positive economic impact that work has on the state.
• Barely more than a week away from the close of Open Enrollment period, activity will be picking up. We are extending the hours at our Customer Service Call Center, beginning Friday, Feb. 13. Here’s the plan for the final weekend and beyond:  Friday, 7 am-10 pm;  Saturday, 7 am- midnight; Sunday, 7 am-midnight; Monday, 7 am-10 pm; Tuesday, 7 am-8 pm. Schedules will remain as they have been through Open Enrollment from Tuesday, Feb. 17, until March 2, when the schedule returns to 8 am- 6 pm weekdays.
• We are grateful to the many Brokers and Health Coverage Guides pitching in this weekend to enroll customers at events in Alamosa, Aurora, Commerce City, Conifer, Denver, Durango, Grand Junction, Greeley, Lafayette, and Wheat Ridge. You can get the specifics on each of them here. Or you might have the chance to refer someone you know to one of our walk-in centers (no appointment necessary) look for Help at an Enrollment Center here.” [Source: Connect for Health Colorado]

Learn more about ClinicNET’s new affiliate: People House

“People House is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit offering options for personal and spiritual growth in the Denver community. Through our nonprofit programs we strive to make equitable mental and emotional health care accessible to anyone who needs it.

We offer affordable counseling on an income based sliding scale, providing an opportunity for care to those who might otherwise be unable to experience the transformative power and support of professional counseling. The counseling interns who staff our programs are master’s degree level students or graduates acquiring experience for professional licensure with the State of Colorado. They are carefully selected based on life experience and personal development to ensure the highest quality care for our clients.

Our Veteran Reintegration Program promotes wellness in our returning veterans and their families. Through veteran mentoring, veterans have one-on-one conversations with a facilitator trained veteran. The aim of these mentoring relationships is to help the veteran find their own answers to their own questions without judgment. Facilitators work side by side with each vet to help them formulate a plan that best fits their unique needs. The VRP helps vets get aid through counseling, coaching, training, and education.” [Source: People House]

CCHAP Practice Manager Meeting Feb. 20

"The Colorado Children’s Healthcare Access Program is holding their Practice Manger Meeting on Friday, February 20th, noon-1pm at 13100 East Colfax Avenue, Aurora, CO 80045, Silverton Conference Room - 6th Floor. The meeting topic is Healthcare Reform and Payment Reform: how to prepare for the future with presenter David Keller, M.D. ReadyTalk Web Conference is available for remote attendees: go to readytalk.com and enter access code 2093166; dial in by phone for audio by dialing 1-866-740-1260 and entering the access code 2093166. Email joanie.muzzulin@childrenscolorado.org to RSVP.

Check out the CCHAP Practice Manager Newsletter for more information on:

• Medicaid fee schedule effective July 1, 2014
• Teen Depression Screening Reminder
• Colorado Medicaid Dental Program” [Source: CCHAP]

Articles & Publications and new resources

Six Benefits System Execs Can Achieve Via Clinical Integration
January 8, 2015 - The Camden Group

Innovations in Access: Tackling Unsolved Problems in Post-ACA Colorado
October 2014 - Colorado Health Institute

Health Literacy and Health Insurance Literacy: Do Consumers Know What They Are Buying?
January 6, 2014 - Alliance for Health Reform and Robert Wood Johnson Foundation

The 2015 Colorado Health Report Card
February 6, 2015 - The Colorado Health Foundation

We’ve also added new resources to our website, including:

• Take Care Health Matters - is a website that helps connect justice involved people with needed health care coverage and services.
• CoveredU and SeguroTU - a resource to get people started on understanding how to use their insurance through interactive scenarios where they can see how their health care decisions could play out.

Visit the ClinicNET website for more Articles and Publications and Resources.

ClinicNET Affiliates: 2014 Data Request and Annual Contribution Reminder!

ClinicNET affiliates should have received a 2014 Data Request in the mail a couple weeks ago. Please be sure to complete it and return it to us at 3033 S. Parker Road, Ste. 500, Aurora, CO 80014 or via fax to 720-863-7801.  If you prefer, you can fill out the electronic version and email it to johanna.gelderman@clinicnet.org.  We greatly appreciate you taking the time to complete this request so ClinicNET can most accurately advocate for you and represent your interests and concerns.

We are proud to be the entity that provides a collective voice and strengthens the statewide network of Community Safety Net Clinics. In 2015, ClinicNET will advance our advocacy efforts, technical assistance services and diverse program offerings to enable your clinic to continue to develop and enhance innovative models of care focused on providing patients with affordable, comprehensive, and quality health care. We hope you will consider a meaningful contribution in support of our valuable work. Click here to learn more and to access our contribution form.

ClinicNET Practice Administrators Cohort kicks off February 20th!

ClinicNET is kicking off a Practice Administrators Cohort Friday, February 20th from 9:30-11:30am. This inaugural gathering will be held at Doctors Care at 609 W. Littleton Blvd Suite 100, Littleton, CO 80120. Please come with ideas, topics and questions! RSVP to brooke.powers@clinicnet.org or 720-863-7803.

Save the Date: Workforce Recruitment & Retention Webinar, Feb. 17th

Save the date for ClinicNET's next webinar, Workforce Recruitment and Retention, on February 17th from noon-1pm. We have guest presenters Sara Maki from the Primary Care Office and Sara Leahy from the Colorado Rural Health Center. They will be talking about loan repayment programs such as the Colorado Health Service Corps and the National Health Service Corps, the Colorado Provider Recruitment Program, and answering questions regarding provider recruitment and retention. Registration information will be sent out soon!

The Department of Health Care Policy and Financing is recruiting a Member and Family Advisory Council

The Department is in the process of recruiting for a new Member and Family Advisory Council. The goal of this advisory council is to gather feedback and ideas from Medicaid and CHP+ members and their families on how to integrate more person- and family-centered practices into policies, partnerships and programs. The advisory council plans to meet 6 to 8 times in 2015. Mileage reimbursement and incentives for participation are available.

Applications for the council are due on February 9.  This is a great opportunity to support Medicaid member engagement to inform the Department’s work.  Click here to view the application. [Source: HCPF]

PEAK Updates

• "RESOLVED PEAK Error Message: PEAK was displaying a tax information error message when retroactive Medical Assistance was requested on the application. This issue has been corrected. The temporary solution we distributed on January 20, Troubleshooting Tip for PEAK Error Message, should be disregarded.
• Update on Reporting a Life Change Event in PEAK: On January 25, PEAK was updated to improve Report My Changes and Redetermination/Recertification functions when reporting certain life change events. PEAK now dynamically guides the client through providing any additional information needed based on the change they are reporting.
• Support Calls for Community Partners: Support calls for Community-Based Organizations (CBOs) are scheduled to follow major PEAK updates to discuss system performance and known issues. The upcoming support call schedule is yet to be determined, and will be posted on our PEAK Outreach & Training site when it is available. 
• Partner and Consumer Resources Available Online: The Department of Health Care policy and Financing has posted resources for partners and consumers. The resources include Internal Revenue Service (IRS) guidance on the Federal Income Tax and Advanced Premium Tax Credits and an update on known issues related to the health coverage application process and shopping experience." [Source: Colorado PEAK]

Colorado Dental Health Care Program for Low-Income Seniors - Proposals due Feb. 20th

“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.  Grant proposals for the Colorado Dental Health Care Program for Low-Income Seniors are due Feburary 20th by 5pm MST. 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]

Rural HIT Training Scholarships Available - Next Deadline April 1

For a limited time, scholarships are available for individuals interested in a career in rural Health Information Technology (HIT). Scholarships are applicable towards HIT courses at Pueblo Community College that are designed to address the need for HIT workforce in rural communities, and support the implementation, use and security of Electronic Health Records (EHR) in reaching and sustaining the EHR Meaningful Use stages. Funding is provided by the Health Resources and Services Administration’s Rural Health Information Technology Workforce Development Grant in partnership with Pueblo Community College (PCC), Data Services for Healthcare (DaSH) and the Southeast Colorado Area Health Education Center (SECAHEC). Scholarship recipients are required to work in a rural healthcare setting for approximately two years upon completion of certification to be eligible for scholarship funding. For more information, visit SECAHEC's website or view the application packet.

Connect for Health Colorado Updates

• "Congrats to our Colorado Insurance Commissioner, Marguerite Salazar, who was recently named the 2015 Chair of the Consumer Liaison Committee of the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC).
• The decision would not affect Colorado or other state-base marketplaces, but the King v. Burwell case pending with the Supreme Court could eliminate financial assistance for Marketplace customers in 37 states. In an initial reaction to what Congress should do if the Supreme Court limits this financial assistance to residents in states with state-based marketplaces, nearly two thirds of the public (64%) say Congress should pass a law making subsidies available in all states. Majorities of Democrats and independents favor such action, along with 40 percent of Republicans.  In comparison, 27 percent would oppose Congress taking such action.
• Thank you to Colorado Consumer Health Initiative, and other statewide partners, for their support yesterday in the hearing of HB15-1066 which sought to repeal the Colorado marketplace. The legislation did not pass by a 7-6 vote in the House Health, Insurance and Environment Committee." [Source: Connect for Health Colorado]

CMS intends to modify requirements for Meaningful Use

"The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) announced intent to engage in rulemaking to update the Medicare and Medicaid Electronic Health Record (EHR) Incentive Programs beginning in 2015. These intended changes would help to reduce the reporting burden on providers, while supporting the long term goals of the program." Click here to view the full announcement. [Source: CMS]