New Publications from the Department of Health Care Policy and Financing

Click here to view the July edition of At a Glance. This publication provides information on major initiatives including policy changes and program updates.

Click here to view the August Provider Bulletin. The bulletin covers topics of interest to providers and billing professionals. [Source: HCPF]

Colorado Medical Home Community Forum August 11th

“RSVP today for the next Colorado Medical Home Community Forum about Colorado’s State Innovation Model (SIM) on August 11th 4:30-6:30pm. Click here to view the agenda. Presenters include Lynnette Hampton, SIM Operations Manager and Nicole King, SIM Population Health and Consumer Engagement Program Manager. The event will be held at the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment, DOC Room, Building A, 4300 Cherry Creek Drive South, Denver, CO 80246. RSVP by clicking here. You can also attend the meeting via the webinar link and call-in 1-877-820-7831 - Participant passcode: 300218#. Contact Meredith Henry at meredith.henry@state.co.us with questions.” [Source: Colorado Medical Home Initiative]

Sign up today for EvidenceNOW Southwest (AHRQ opportunity) - applications accepted on first come-first serve basis!

"EvidenceNOW Southwest  is one of seven regional cooperatives funded by the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) to provide quality improvement services to small primary care practices, with 10 or fewer providers. EvidenceNOW Southwest will serve up to 260 practices: 208 in Colorado and 52 in New Mexico. Applications will be reviewed weekly and practices will be notified within two weeks whether they have been accepted. Practices will be accepted on a first come-first served basis. *Note: this opportunity excludes pediatric-only clinics.

Participating practices will receive nine months of practice facilication to develop customized approaches that address:

• Workflow analysis
• Office efficiency
• EHR optimization and measures reporting
• Patient engagement, care management and coordination

ClinicNET is pleased to be a partner in the network of practice transformation providers through the Colorado Health Extension System (CHES) and to be considered as a resource to you if you determine this EvidenceNOW Southwest opportunity is right for you. We encourage you to reach out to Cathryn directly if you have any questions or need help filling out the application! *Please let Cathryn Benedict (cathryn.benedict@clinicnet.org) know if you checked ClinicNET as a practice transformation partner in the application. 

Click here for more information. To apply: http://iurl.no/i2i50. *Please note you have an option of start dates: Fall 2015, Spring 2016, Fall 2016, and Spring 2017.

If you have any questions regarding the study or application process please contact: Allyson Gottsman at AllysonGottsman@ucdenver.edu." [Source: Colorado Health Extension System]

Institute for Healthcare Improvement (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 current 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]

Safety Net Clinic Week 2015 updates

We are getting very excited about Safety Net Clinic Week 2015 as site visits are scheduled, clinics prepare to host open houses and proclamations are issued! We will contact you directly if any legislators or their staffers are interested in visiting your clinic.

Have you checked out our toolkit yet? It is full of  resources that will help your clinic have the most successful Safety Net Clinic Week 2015 as possible! You can find the toolkit on the Safety Net Clinic Week event page.

Our Safety Net Clinic Week 2015 Project Coordinator, Jess Worley, is available to help you with Safety Net Clinic Week 2015 activities. Please let her know if you utilize any part of the toolkit above or if you need help in doing so! She can be reached at 720-863-7805 and jessica.worley@clinicnet.org.

ClinicNET Affiliates - interested in a free contraception training for providers?

Denver Health is exploring the feasibility of offering a 2-day intensive contraceptive procedures (IUD and Implants) training to providers. All expenses (training cost, travel, and accommodations) would be paid for by an external funding source and not by the provider or clinics.

ClinicNET is gathering information from our affiliate clinics to help inform the development of this prospective opportunity; please respond (one response only from each affiliate clinic please!) to a 3-question survey https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/PKNP387 by August 13.

Medicaid Revalidation & Enrollment Training Announcement

“Daily Revalidation Webinars: The Department will be hosting Revalidation & Enrollment webinars every (business) day in August 2015!
Who: All interested providers
What: Revalidation presentation, then open Q&A
When: Every day from 1:00-2:00pm (Mountain Time)
Where: Online via webinar
Please visit the Department’s Training Catalog to register!

Enrollment Application Training: Online self-paced training for the new Colorado Online Provider Enrollment (OPE) tool.
Who: All interested providers
What: Walk-through of the new Online Provider Enrollment tool
When: Modules available online anytime beginning August 24, 2015
Where: Online via eLearning modules
Please visit the Provider Resources page to register! (Registration opening Monday, August 3, 2015!)” [Source: HCPF]

INVITATION: Second stakeholder meeting regarding the implementation of SB15-197

“The State Board of Nursing is pleased to announce a second opportunity for stakeholders to share their viewpoints, comments and ideas for the implementation of Senate Bill 15-197, ‘Concerning the Prescriptive Authority of Advanced Practice Nurses.’ Stakeholder input is crucial to achieving the Board's missions of consumer protection and effective licensure and enforcement, without unnecessary impediment to the economic market. Please make yourselves heard by joining us at the upcoming stakeholder meeting. The meeting is Wednesday, August 5, 9:00-11:00am.

Three ways to participate:

• In person.  Civic Center Plaza, 1560 Broadway, Denver, CO 80202; 19th floor conference room. NOTE: If you plan to attend in person, please  email dora_nursingboard@state.co.us with "SB197 In Person" in the subject line so that we can plan accordingly. SPACE IS LIMITED.
• By webinar.  Visit the website to register. When you register, please indicate whether you will wish to speak.
• Provide written comments in advance.  Email them to the attention of Administrative Manager Beth Glenn at DORA_nursingboard@state.co.us, or fax to 303-869-0271.

Meeting materials include Senate Bill SB15-197; Emergency Chapter 15 Rule adopted by the Board of Nursing at its July 21 meeting; and stakeholder comments received as of June 29, 2015.” [Source: DORA]

Connect for Health Colorado accepting applications for Certified Application Counselor Program

“Connect for Health Colorado is accepting applications for its Certified Application Counselor (CAC) program on an ongoing basis. The CAC Program is an unfunded initiative that establishes designated organizations as Connect for Health Colorado certified partners that help clients with enrolling in subsidized private insurance through the marketplace. For additional information, please contact Kevin Finder, CAC Program Coordinator, at (720) 496-2547 or CACprogram@connectforhealthco.com.” [Source: Connect for Health Colorado]

ECRI Aug. 11 Webinar - Protecting the Vulnerable Patient--The Roles of Health Centers and Free Clinics

“ECRI Institute, on behalf of HRSA, is presenting a FREE webinar on August 11th 1:00-2:00pm MDT called "Protecting the Vulnerable Patient--The Roles of Health Centers and Free Clinics". Click here to register. It will discuss the roles of healthcare providers in identifying and caring for patients with special social or emotional needs. The webinar will feature an expert panel of speakers who will focus on vulnerable populations such as victims of human trafficking, victims of intimate partner violence, behavioral health patients, individuals with disabilities, elderly patients, and members of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) community. Topics that will be discussed include patient screening, identification of red flag indicators for certain vulnerable populations, and treatment or referral to support services.” [Source: ECRI Institute]

Connect for Health Colorado updates - CAC Program application open

• “Connect for Health Colorado is accepting applications for its Certified Application Counselor (CAC) program on an ongoing basis. The CAC Program is an unfunded initiative that establishes designated organizations as Connect for Health Colorado certified partners that help clients with enrolling in subsidized private insurance through the marketplace. For additional information, please contact Kevin Finder, CAC Program Coordinator, at (720) 496-2547 or CACprogram@connectforhealthco.com.
• Anyone who received advance payments of the premium tax credit in 2014 and missed the April 15 deadline or received an extension to file a tax, should file their return as soon as possible this summer to ensure they can receive advance payments next year. Waiting until the IRS deadline for an extension could complicate their renewal. Anyone who does not file a 2014 tax return: will not be eligible for advance payments of the premium tax credit or cost-sharing reductions in 2016, will be responsible for the full cost of their premium and covered services in 2016 and may be asked by the IRS to pay back some or all of the 2014 advance payments. More information here.
• The IRS reported this year that 7.5 million tax filers have paid the penalty for not having coverage in 2014. The average amount was $200, according to Kaiser Health News.
• The merger of two major health insurers, both active in the Colorado market, is making headlines nationwide. The Denver Business Journal has a look from the Colorado angle.” [Source: Connect for Health Colorado]

Safety Net Clinic Week 2015 updates

We are getting very excited about Safety Net Clinic Week 2015 as site visits are scheduled, clinics prepare to host open houses and proclamations are issued! We will contact you directly if any legislators or their staffers are interested in visiting your clinic.

Have you checked out our toolkit yet? It is full of  resources that will help your clinic have the most successful Safety Net Clinic Week 2015 as possible! You can find the toolkit on the Safety Net Clinic Week event page.

Our Safety Net Clinic Week 2015 Project Coordinator, Jess Worley, is available to help you with Safety Net Clinic Week 2015 activities. Please let her know if you utilize any part of the toolkit above or if you need help in doing so! She can be reached at 720-863-7805 and jessica.worley@clinicnet.org.

ACC Request for Information: executive summary

“Click here to view the executive summary from the ACC request for information (RFI) conducted late last year.  More information about the next phase of the ACC can be found on the ACC Request for Proposals webpage.  Full text of responses we've received will be published on the webpage in the coming days.” [Source: HCPF]

Save the Date: Medical Home Community Forum August 11

“RSVP for the next Colorado Medical Home Community Forum about Colorado’s State Innovation Model (SIM) on August 11th 4:30-6:30pm. Presenters include Lynnette Hampton, SIM Operations Manager and Nicole King, SIM Population Health and Consumer Engagement Program Manager. The event will be held at the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment, DOC Room, Building A, 4300 Cherry Creek Drive South, Denver, CO 80246. RSVP by clicking here. You can also attend the meeting via the webinar link and call-in 1-877-820-7831 - Participant passcode: 300218#. Contact Meredith Henry at meredith.henry@state.co.us with questions.” [Source: Colorado Medical Home Initiative]

Webinar: Assessing the Health of an Urban Community - Finding and Communicating the Key Messages

“Denver Public Health and Denver Environmental Health collaborate on a comprehensive Community Health Assessment for Denver County, an urban county of 640,000 in the middle of a metropolitan area of 2.9 million people. They've made great efforts to be able to portray health within the diverse population of the county. As their data systems get better, they are increasingly challenged by communicating this data. How can we move beyond page after page of data to be able to tell a clear and concise story about the conditions that affect health in our community?

In a webinar on July 30, noon-1pm, Dr. Bill Burman from Denver Public Health will review the need for truly local data (ideally at the neighborhood level). He will also discuss the ways we've tried to connect health outcomes, health behaviors, and social and economic conditions into a narrative that will help policymakers and communities better understand the opportunities for improving health, particularly through prevention. Click here to register for the webinar Assessing the Health of an Urban Community: Finding and Communicating the Key Messages.” [Source: COPrevent]

AHRQ: Health Literacy Interventions and Outcomes – free resource

“The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality released a new resource on health literacy interventions and outcomes. Access to the FREE topic brief and to obtain continuing education credit at no cost, visit http://goo.gl/xHlSO8

Overall Learning Purpose/Goal: The goal of the monograph is to review health care service use and health outcomes related to differences in health literacy level, as well as interventions designed to improve these outcomes for individuals with low health literacy. Disparities in health outcomes and effectiveness of interventions among different sociodemographic groups are also examined.

Target Audience: primary care physicians (PCPs), including family practice physicians, specialists (e.g., oncologists, gastroenterologists, infectious disease specialists, nutritionists), pharmacists, physician assistants, allied health professionals, occupational and physical therapists, nurse practitioners, nurses, case managers, and health educators.” [Source: AHRQ]

Promoting Healthy Choices and Community Changes: An E-learning Program for Promotores de Salud

“Think Cultural Health is pleased to announce the release of Promoting Healthy Choices and Community Changes: An E-learning Program for Promotores de Salud. This free e-learning program is offered exclusively online in Spanish and English and aims to build the capacity of promotores de salud to promote individual- and community-level changes towards good health. Promoting Healthy Choices and Community Changes is comprised of four units that will provide promotores de salud with the necessary tools to become agents of change at both the individual and community levels. For each unit completed, participants will receive a Certificate of Completion.” [Source: Think Cultural Health]

Safety Net Clinic Week is a month away!

With Safety Net Clinic Week 2015 only a month away, we have been very busy! We extended invitations to all of the state legislators, Colorado's Congressional delegation and the Governor to visit clinics during Safety Net Clinic Week 2015. We will contact you directly if they would like to visit your clinic!

We have updated our “toolkit” to help clinics participate in Safety Net Clinic Week 2015. We encourage you to use the templates and resources in the toolkit to have the most successful Safety Net Clinic Week 2015 as possible! 

Our Safety Net Clinic Week 2015 Project Coordinator, Jess Worley, is available to help you with Safety Net Clinic Week 2015 activities. Please let her know if you utilize any part of the toolkit or if you need help in doing so! She can be reached at 720-863 7805 or jessica.worley@clinicnet.org

Thank you to Kaiser Permanente and COPIC for their generous support of Safety Net Clinic Week 2015!

    

Kaiser Permanente - Colorado Bridge Program Closure

“Effective June 15, 2015 Colorado Bridge is closed to new applicants: Kaiser Permanente’s Colorado Bridge Program is a charitable health coverage program. This program is for low income individuals and families who do not have access to any other coverage and meet program eligibility requirements. Colorado Bridge provides a KP premium subsidy and medical financial assistance to support cost sharing, and enrollment in an off exchange Kaiser Permanente Individual and Family Plan.

Colorado Bridge Program Closure: Kaiser Permanente Colorado will be re-evaluating the Colorado Bridge program design and is closed indefinitely to new applicants in all Kaiser Permanente Colorado service areas.  Current Colorado Bridge members that continue to meet program eligibility requirements will receive 2016 recertification information.

Applications for the Colorado Bridge Program have been removed from the FindYourPlan.org website and only applications received by June 15, 2015 will be processed.  Please recycle any existing Colorado Bridge Program flyers and applications your organization may have.  You will receive a Kaiser Permanente update when the Charitable Health Coverage program is accepting new applications.

Questions & Answers:

1. Why is the Colorado Bridge Program closed to new applicants? The program is closed while Kaiser Permanente Colorado re-evaluates the program design with the goal of serving more members. 
2. How long will the Colorado Bridge Program be closed? The Colorado Bridge Program is closed indefinitely. 
3. Is the Colorado Bridge Program closed until open enrollment? No, the program is closed year round, including 2015 open enrollment. We will continue to evaluate the program for consideration in the future. 
4. Can applicants with a Special Enrollment Period (SEP) still apply? No, there is no SEP available while the program is closed and Kaiser Permanente re-evaluates the program design. 
5. Will applicants who apply for Colorado Bridge be informed the program is closed? Yes, applicants that apply while the program is closed will receive a denial letter informing them that the program is closed to new applicants. 
6. Will this affect existing members? No, this will not have an impact on members currently enrolled in the Colorado Bridge Program who continue to meet program eligibility criteria. 
7. Will existing members be eligible for a subsidy recertification? Yes, existing members will receive recertification information in the mail and provided an opportunity for a KP premium subsidy recertification if they continue to meet eligibility criteria. 
8. Can dependents be added to an existing Colorado Bridge plan? Yes, dependents may be added to an existing plan as long as the dependent meet program eligibility requirements. 
9. What if an existing member no longer meet eligibility criteria? When members no longer meet eligibility requirements, they will receive a letter explaining that they are no longer eligible for the program and will lose the Kaiser Permanente subsidy and medical financial assistance. However, enrollment in (insert name of plan) will continue but the member will be responsible for the full cost of their health plan premium and any out-of pocket expenses they incur. 
10. If existing members lose coverage will they be reinstated or given the opportunity to re-apply? No, members that have lost coverage for failure to pay premiums or otherwise will not be reinstated nor given an opportunity to re-apply.

Please contact Medicaid and Charitable Programs Outreach & Retention Specialist, Tonya Bruno, at tonya.x.bruno@kp.org or 303-344-7642 if you need additional information or have additional questions." [Source: Kaiser Permanente]

Chinook Fund – grants addressing social justice issues in Colorado

“Chinook Fund supports community organizations working on issues of racial, social, and economic justice in the state of Colorado. Chinook funds organizations working to challenge the root causes of oppression, rather than treating the symptoms. Eligible applicants must be based in communities facing injustice or oppression, including but not limited to communities of color, low-income communities, LGBTQ communities, disabilities communities, and immigrant communities. Organizations should have democratic leadership, decision-making, and organizing that is led by and accountable to people most directly impacted by the issue or injustice. Start-Up Grants of up to $4,000 are provided to groups just beginning their work; Established Grants of up to $10,000 are provided to groups that have been working successfully on social justice issues for a number of years. The next application deadline for both grant programs is August 21, 2015. Visit Chinook Fund’s website to download the funding guidelines and application forms.” [Source: Grant Station]

You’re invited to a Kaiser Permanente community gathering

“Join leaders from Kaiser Permanente and the business, nonprofit, and public sectors for an informative networking event to discuss the health of Colorado communities. Choose from the following event locations and RSVP early with your top two choices, as space is limited:

• Lone Tree (August 6), Kaiser Permanente Lone Tree Medical Offices, 10240 Park Meadows Drive, Lone Tree, CO 80124
• Colorado Springs (August 11), Kaiser Permanente Colorado Springs Administrative Offices, 1975 Research Parkway, Suite 250, Colorado Springs, CO 80920
• Loveland (August 13), Fireside Cafe inside Group Publishing, 1515 Cascade Avenue, Loveland, CO 80538
• Pueblo (August 25), Rawlings Public Library in Pueblo, 100 East Abriendo Avenue, Pueblo, CO 81004
• Lafayette (September 1), Kaiser Permanente Rock Creek Medical Offices, 280 Exempla Circle, Lafayette, CO 80026
• Denver (September 24), Mile High United Way Denver, 711 Park Avenue West, Denver, CO 80205

Send your RSVPs by July 24 to Kelly Fraser at KPCO-Events@kp.org, indicating your first and second choices. All events are scheduled from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m. and will include light refreshments. We look forward to sharing stories of community impact with you at these events and hope to see you there!” [Source: Kaiser Permanente Colorado]

Colorado All Payer Claims Database Scholarship Fund Renewed, deadline Sept. 30

“The Colorado General Assembly has appropriated $500,000 to be used in FY15/16 to support eligible organizations with licensing data from the Colorado All Payer Claims Database.

The CO APCD is the state's most comprehensive source of claims data from Medicare, Medicaid and private insurers and is being used 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 nonprofit organizations working on specific projects to reach the Triple Aim of better health, better care and lower costs. View funding and application details, next application deadline in September 30. Scholarships will be awarded on a first-come, first-serve basis, so apply early!” [Source: CIVHC]

Connect for Health Colorado updates

• “Mark your calendar for this year's Building Better Health conference, the statewide health coverage open enrollment kick-off event, hosted again by the Colorado Health Foundation in partnership with Connect for Health Colorado, the Colorado Consumer Health Initiative, the Colorado Department of Health Care Policy and Financing, the Colorado Division of Insurance, and PEAK Outreach. In addition to providing training on the health coverage application process and Marketplace plan selection, attendees will have access to the latest uninsured data and coverage resources, with time to network with other health coverage guides, assistance site navigators, certified application counselors, brokers, community-based organizations and advocates. The details: September 28 - 29, 2015, Crowne Plaza DIA, 15500 E. 40th Avenue, Denver, CO 80239. More details will be available later this month at www.coloradohealth.org.
• More confirmation today that the rate of uninsured in the U.S. continues to decline. The uninsured rate among U.S. adults aged 18 and older was 11.4% in the second quarter of 2015, down from 11.9% in the first quarter. This is the lowest rate of uninsured since Gallup and Healthways began tracking in 2008. Read more.” [Source: Connect for Health Colorado]

CCHAP Practice Manager Newsletter: Vaccine Administration Rate Increase

“Vaccine Administration Rate Increase:  Effective January 1, 2015, the General Assembly approved an increase to the rate for vaccine administration. The new rate is 100% of the maximum rate for Colorado, set by DHHS.

The rate for vaccine administration codes 90460, 90471, and 90473 is now $21.68, an increase of more than 300% from the previous rate of $6.59. The federal law creating the Vaccines for Children Program also mandated that DHHS cap fees for vaccine administration. Each state has a different cap. Colorado’s fee cap is $21.68.

Providers will receive the new rate through a mass adjustment, unless their submitted charge is less than the new rate, $21.68. Any claim with a submitted charge lower than the revised rate must be adjusted by the provider. It is recommended that providers submit charges based on Usual and Customary rates, when applicable.

Read the Colorado Children’s Healthcare Access Program’s (CCHAP) full newsletter for more information on:

• Vaccine Access Task Force Update (SB 222)
• Next CCHAP Practice Manager Meeting
• Medicaid Provider Revalidation Requirement
• Diabetes Self-Management Education Coverage
• ICD-10 Update from Medicaid
• Cavity Free at Three Training Opportunity

Also available is their July 9th Clinical Newsletter.” [Source: CCHAP]

Articles & Publications and new resources

2015 Legislation in Review: Analyzing Key Health Policy Trends
June 2015 – The Colorado Health Institute

Narrow Networks in Colorado: Balancing Access and Affordability
June 2015 – The Colorado Health Institute

Oral Health: An Essential Component of Primary Care
June 2015 – Qualis Health

Year Two of the ACA Coverage Expansions: On-the-Ground Experiences from Five States
June 22, 2015 – Kaiser Family Foundation

King v. Burwell: What’s Next for Colorado After the Supreme Court Ruling?
June 25, 2015 – The Colorado Health Institute

Colorado Local Data Workbooks and accompanying Putting the Numbers in Context brief
June 2015 – The Colorado Health Institute

Location, Location, Location: Health Insurance by ZIP Code in Colorado
July 2015 – The Colorado Health Institute

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

• Greenway Health published a white paper to help practices prepare for ICD-10 implementation to ultimately improve clinical care, patient health, and organization profitability.
• Health Care Value Hub provides online and hands-on support connecting advocates to some of the key concepts and research findings on health care costs and value issues.
• Colorado Crisis Services is Colorado’s statewide resource for mental health, substance use or emotional crisis help, information and referrals.
• Center for Care Innovations (CCI) is a vital source of ideas, best practices and funding for California’s health care safety net, with potential application in other states. 

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

Safety Net Clinic Week 2015 Updates!

ClinicNET and the Colorado Rural Health Center have requested a Proclamation of Safety Net Clinic Week (SNCW) 2015 from the Governor and we will be disseminating a statewide press release announcing Safety Net Clinic Week 2015 on Aug. 13. Additionally, this week we will be extending invitations to the Governor, our Congressional Delegation, and all State Legislators to visit clinics in their district during SNCW! We will contact you directly if they are interested in visiting your clinic.

Last week, we hosted a webinar about the toolkit and SNCW. If you were not able to tune in, you can listen and view the webinar here! The toolkit is also ready for your use! Included in the toolkit are many easily customizable documents:

• Short Overview of Safety Net Clinic Week
• Safety Net Clinic Week 2015 Logo: use as content for your website, blogs, social media, newsletters, email signatures, etc.
• Sample Letter to the Editor: for submission to your local media
• Governmental Proclamation or Resolution: request a proclamation from your city and/or county
• Safety Net Clinic Week Invitation: consider inviting your city and/or county public officials, local businesses and community leaders to visit your clinic during SNCW
• Open House Invitation template: consider hosting an open house so folks can see and hear firsthand about the important work you are doing!
• Safety Net Clinic Week Fact Sheet: include with any invitation you extend and use, in addition to specific information about your clinic, as speaking points during SNCW!
• Safety Net Clinic Week Press Release: submit to your local media
• Social Media Tips: don't forget to utilize social media and connect with us @clinicnet!
• List of all Community Safety Net Clinics and Rural Health Clinic

*Links to identify local level elected officials for invitation and proclamations: Identify the members of your local government and municipalities here (be sure to choose your locality) or by visiting the website of your local city or county government.

Please let our Safety Net Clinic Week 2015 Project Coordinator, Jess Worley, know if you utilize any part of the toolkit or if you need help in doing so! She can be reached at 720-863-7805 or jessica.worley@clinicnet.org.

EvidenceNOW Southwest (AHRQ opportunity) application is open - practices accepted on first come-first serve basis!

"EvidenceNOW Southwest  is one of seven regional cooperatives funded by the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) to provide quality improvement services to small primary care practices, with 10 or fewer providers. EvidenceNOW Southwest will serve up to 260 practices: 208 in Colorado and 52 in New Mexico. Applications will be reviewed weekly and practices will be notified within two weeks whether they have been accepted. Practices will be accepted on a first come-first served basis. *Note: this opportunity excludes pediatric-only clinics.

Participating practices will receive nine months of practice facilication to develop customized approaches that address:

• Workflow analysis
• Office efficiency
• EHR optimization and measures reporting
• Patient engagement, care management and coordination

ClinicNET is pleased to be a partner in the network of practice transformation providers through the Colorado Health Extension System (CHES) and to be considered as a resource to you if you determine this EvidenceNOW Southwest opportunity is right for you.*Please let Cathryn Benedict (cathryn.benedict@clinicnet.org) know if you checked ClinicNET as a practice transformation partner in the application.

Click here for more information. To apply: http://iurl.no/i2i50.

If you have any questions regarding the study or application process please contact: Allyson Gottsman at AllysonGottsman@ucdenver.edu." [Source: Colorado Health Extension System]

Colorado Care Connections Program

“Funding is now available for practices to join the Health Information Exchange (HIE) and access data from Colorado hospitals and labs.

CORHIO has partnered with Colorado’s Department of Health Care Policy and Financing (HCPF) to offer qualified Medicaid practices and hospitals the opportunity to participate in the CORHIO Health Information Exchange (HIE). The HIE is a secure system for the exchange of patient information between providers.

Your organization may be qualified to participate in this program. Upon signing a letter of commitment, your practice or hospital could receive:

• Free or reduced costs for participation in the HIE (either through your EHR or via a secure online portal) **Program includes two years of HIE monthly subscription fees for up to five providers. CORHIO implementation fees will be waived. Additional costs may be charged by your EHR vendor to connect to the HIE.
• Access to our Transformation Support Services team of experts on incentive programs and EHRs
• An incentive when your practice/hospital is successfully sending encounter data into the HIE
• Evaluation and training on optimal electronic health record (EHR) use, including improving EHR use within clinical workflow
• Meaningful Use reporting for those participating in the Medicaid EHR Incentive Program
• Guidance from our Transformation Support Services team of experts regarding certain incentive programs, quality reporting, EHR workflow design and data integrity

To learn more about the Health Information Exchange, visit www.CORHIO.org or call 720-285-3200.” [Source: CORHIO]

Medicaid Targeted Rate Increase update

“The Department implemented several Targeted Rate Increases (TRIs) to high value Medicaid services effective July 1, 2015.  As part of our commitment to keeping you informed, please note the following updates:

• The new rates have not yet been loaded into our claims payment system (the MMIS).  Although the rates took effect on July 1, providers will not see the new rates until they are loaded.
• We will notify key stakeholders when the rates have been loaded successfully on the Provider Implementations web page.
• Approval from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid (CMS) is still pending on some rate increases.
• Most of the rate increases can be paid retroactively to July 1, 2015, once they are approved by CMS. For exclusions, please see the Fact Sheet on Provider Rate Increases.
• Providers should continue to bill the usual and customary rate so we can automatically adjust for the claims paid at the lower rate. 

Updates on TRI implementation will also be published in the Department’s Medicaid Provider Bulletins.” [Source: HCPF]

SAVE THE DATE: ClinicNET Affiliate Convening November 13

SAVE THE DATE! Our next full day ClinicNET Affiliate Convening is November 13, location TBD! Stay tuned for registration information. Please complete this quick survey (only 1 question!) to let us know what topics you would like us to include in the November 13 convening.

Generic Medication Donation Information – Direct Relief & Teva Pharmaceuticals

“Direct Relief is excited to announce a growing partnership with Teva Pharmaceuticals USA, the largest generic drug manufacturer in the world. Beginning in August, a wide variety of Teva products will be made available through a Teva specific Safety Net Support offer (view a list of the entire Teva catalog here). Examples of product types we anticipate receiving include, but are not limited to: antibiotics antihypertensive medications (all types), lipid lowering medications, oral diabetes medications, oral contraceptives, mental health drugs, analgesics, and gastrointestinal medications.

The terms of this donation are the same as other donations from Direct Relief. In order to receive Teva donated product you must understand and agree to the following:

• Most Teva product will have 4-8 month dating
• The use of “Donated by Direct Relief” stickers is required (stickers will be provided by Direct Relief)
• All facilities are subject to be audited by Direct Relief staff to ensure adherence to donation terms
• All Direct Relief donated product must be dispensed free of charge to your low income, uninsured patients and cannot be returned to the manufacturer for credit (please contact Direct Relief to facilitate a free return)

To help us better understand the volume need for these types of products we hope you will take two minutes to answer a few questions here.” [Source: Direct Relief]

Free AHRQ Webinar on Implementing Shared Decision Making in Varied Practice Settings on July 15

“The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) will host a webinar July 15, 10:30am MDT, to discuss how a variety of healthcare organizations—from a busy primary care clinic in an urban hospital to a network of small clinics in rural communities—have implemented shared decision making in their respective settings. Click here for more information and to register for this webinar.” [Source: Women’s Wellness Connection]

New Resource for People with Multiple Chronic Conditions

“More than one in four Americans has multiple chronic conditions. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services recently released material specifically for them — and the people who care for them.

Multiple Chronic Conditions Education and Training includes a searchable database of nearly 70 education resources that allows people living with chronic conditions to easily find information that meets their specific needs. Additionally, HHS created a “curriculum” of six separate training modules to match with each person’s role in treating chronic conditions: person- and family-centered care; self-management support; complex care; inter-professional collaboration; coordinated care delivery; and a systems-based “team approach,” incorporating health IT and shared decision-making.

Visit HHS online to learn more about management of multiple chronic conditions, including a “day in the life” video for people living with them.” [Source: COPrevent]

Latinas with prediabetes may benefit from promotora-led Diabetes Prevention Program

“In a Latina population at high risk for type 2 diabetes, a Promotora-Led Diabetes Prevention Program delivered by lay community health workers, or promotoras, was feasible, acceptable and effective, according to study findings published in The Diabetes Educator. Each Diabetes Prevention Program (DPP) session was led by a promotora in Spanish, and the primary outcome was weight change over the 12-month study period.

During the study period, participants achieved an average 5.6% reduction in body weight, with 42% achieving the 7% weight-loss goal and 58% achieving at least the 5% weight-loss goal. By 12 months, 30% of participants reverted to normoglycemia. The researchers also found that there were significant pre- and post-intervention reductions for waist circumference, diastolic blood pressure, LDL cholesterol and insulin levels. Perceived stress, anxiety and depression mean scores all decreased during the study period.

“The findings reported here suggest that delivery of the DPP by promotoras represents a promising approach for diabetes prevention in socioeconomically disadvantaged Latinas, a particularly high-risk population,” the researchers wrote. In Colorado, there are several organizations that offer the DPP in Spanish. To locate a Spanish DPP program in Colorado, call 1-800 DIABETES. To learn more about the DPP in Colorado, visit our website.” [Source: COPrevent]

Safety Net Clinic Week 2015 "toolkit" is ready to use!

It's time to start preparing for Safety Net Clinic Week (SNCW) 2015, August 17-21! We have created a “toolkit” to help clinics have the most successful SNCW possible. We also hosted a webinar on July 1 to walk clinics through the toolkit and talk about SNCW 2015; click here to view the recording.

Included in the “toolkit” are many easily customizable documents:

• Short Overview of Safety Net Clinic Week
• Safety Net Clinic Week 2015 Logo: use as content for your website, blogs, social media, newsletters, email signatures, etc.
• Sample Letter to the Editor: for submission to your local media
• Governmental Proclamation or Resolution: request a proclamation from your city and/or county
• Safety Net Clinic Week Invitation: consider inviting your city and/or county public officials, local businesses and community leaders to visit your clinic during SNCW
• Open House Invitation template: consider hosting an open house so folks can see and hear firsthand about the important work you are doing!
• Safety Net Clinic Week Fact Sheet: include with any invitation you extend and use, in addition to specific information about your clinic, as speaking points during SNCW
• Safety Net Clinic Week Press Release: submit to your local media
• Social Media Tips: don't forget to utilize social media and connect with us @clinicnet!
• List of all Community Safety Net Clinics and Rural Health Clinics

Please contact Safety Net Clinic Week 2015 coordinator Jess Worley with any questions: 720-863-7805 or jessica.worley@clinicnet.org.

EvidenceNOW Southwest (AHRQ opportunity) application is open!

"EvidenceNOW Southwest  is one of seven regional cooperatives funded by the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) to provide quality improvement services to small primary care practices, with 10 or fewer providers. EvidenceNOW Southwest will serve up to 260 practices: 208 in Colorado and 52 in New Mexico. Applications will be reviewed weekly and practices will be notified within two weeks whether they have been accepted. Practices will be accepted on a first come-first served basis. *Note: this opportunity excludes pediatric-only clinics.

Participating practices will receive nine months of practice facilication to develop customized approaches that address:

• Workflow analysis
• Office efficiency
• EHR optimization and measures reporting
• Patient engagement, care management and coordination

Click here for more information. To apply: http://iurl.no/i2i50. ClinicNET is pleased to be a partner in the network of practice transformation providers through CHES (Colorado Health Extension System) and to be considered as a resource to you if you determine this EvidenceNOW Southwest opportunity is right for you.*Please let Cathryn Benedict (cathryn.benedict@clinicnet.org) know if you checked ClinicNET as a practice transformation partner in the application.

If you have any questions regarding the study or application process please contact: Allyson Gottsman at AllysonGottsman@ucdenver.edu." [Source: Colorado Health Extension System]

New Medicaid Diabetes Self-Management Education codes open

“Medicaid is opening up two diabetes education G codes starting July 1, 2015. This will offer our members with diabetes more opportunities to learn about how to manage this chronic health condition. Medicaid members with a diagnosis of diabetes type 1, 2, or gestational diabetes are eligible for the classes.  Providers interested in billing for these services must become an accredited program provider recognized by the American Diabetes Association’s Education Recognition Program (ERP) or the American Association of Diabetes Educators’ Diabetes Education Accreditation Program (DEAP).  Click here to view the details.” [Source: HCPF]

Denver Outreach and Enrollment Summit 2015, hosted by the Mile High Health Alliance

“Please join the Mile High Health Alliance’s First Access to Care Working Group July 13, 1:00-3:00pm, as we convene partners and develop strategies to expand health care coverage to all eligible Denver residents. We will provide an overview of enrollment progress to date, share previous successes, and discuss opportunities for continuing to expand health care coverage. Click here to view the agenda.

In addition to increased collaboration, the goal of this meeting is to create targeted plans to increase enrollment among specific populations during the third open enrollment period, including new outreach and communications strategies tailored to specific audiences.

The Summit will be held at Servicios de la Raza, 3131 W. 14th Avenue Denver, Colorado 80204. The parking lot in front of the building is accessible to guests and street parking is also available. For inquiries, please contact Alejandra Santisteban (Alejandra.Santisteban@dhha.org, (305) 984-7246).” [Source: Denver Health]

Medicaid and CHP+ Five-year Bar to be Removed for Children and Pregnant Women on July 1

“Starting July 1, 2015, a big policy change is coming to Medicaid and Child Health Plan Plus (CHP+): the five-year bar is being lifted for children and pregnant women. As a result, Legal Permanent Resident children will no longer have to wait five years to apply for Medicaid and CHP+, and Legal Permanent Resident pregnant women will no longer have to wait five years to apply for CHP+.

Top Five Things You Need to Know about the Removal of the Five Year Bar:

1. The change is effective July 1, 2015.
2. The five-year bar is being lifted only for lawfully present children (under age 19), and for pregnant women. Lawfully present adults will still need to wait five years.
3. People who have applied before and been denied will need to re-apply.
4. If a client has an active case in the Colorado Benefits Management System (e.g. the child has food stamps), they can go through PEAK Report My Changes to add Medicaid or CHP+ to the case. 
5. If a family has health insurance through Connect for Health Colorado and they would like to enroll a child or pregnant woman into Medicaid or CHP+, they should call the Connect for Health Colorado customer service center: 1-855-PLANS-4-YOU (1-855-752-6749).

For more information: check out the HCPF FAQ for Stakeholders and CKF Fact Sheet for Clients.” [Source: Covering Kids and Families]