Materials for Outreach to Justice-Involved Individuals Now Available

“The Colorado Criminal Justice Reform Coalition (CCJRC) is now taking orders from community-based organizations (CBOs) for free materials that can be used for outreach and education of criminal-justice involved individuals and their families via the Take Care Health Matters project. The resources include a palm card, a poster, and a small pocket-size brochure. Please contact Terri Hurst (terri@ccjrc.org) for more information or to order materials for your organization.” [Source: CCJRC]

Upcoming Colorado Health Foundation Applicant Info Webinars & NEW Funding Opportunity Calendar

“The Colorado Health Foundation is excited to announce a new Funding Opportunity Calendar. The Funding Opportunity Calendar aims to enable you to plan and make comparative decisions about which funding opportunities may best align with your organizational work and priorities. The calendar provides a three-year view into the Foundation's approved and anticipated funding opportunities, allowing you to proactively identify those which you would like to pursue.

TCHF is offering Applicant Information webinars by outcome area to provide participants with a more comprehensive overview of work underway and planned funding opportunities within Healthy Living, Health Coverage and Health Care. Register now for the following upcoming live Applicant Information webinars:

Sept. 14, 2015 at 11 a.m. - Applicant Information Webinar: Healthy Living
This webinar gives representatives from nonprofit organizations a chance to learn about the Foundation's grantmaking program, including specific funding opportunities in the Healthy Living outcome area. Hear from Foundation staff and receive a concise overview of the application process.

Sept. 14, 2015 at 12 p.m. - Applicant Information Webinar: Health Care and Health Coverage
This webinar gives representatives from nonprofit organizations a chance to learn about the Foundation's grantmaking program, including specific funding opportunities in the Health Care and Health Coverage outcome areas. Hear from Foundation staff and receive a concise overview of the application process.

All live webinars are recorded and archived for viewing on www.ColoradoHealth.org. Live webinars require advanced registration, but participation is not a required part of the application process.” [Source: TCHF]

Clinica Colorado is seeking a Patient Coordinator

Clinica Colorado is looking for a Patient Coordinator to work with patients on referrals and specialty care. This position will also work with staff on programmatic data entry, back up the medical reception staff and more. Bilingual applicants only! Click here to view the position description or visit www.connectingcolorado.com for a full listing of the position (Job #6248140). Resumes can be sent to Sandy Rangel at srangel@clinicacolorado.org. [Source: Clinica Colorado]

Articles & Publications and new resources

2015 Colorado Health Access Survey: Health Insurance Reaches Record High
September 1, 2015 – Colorado Health Institute

Without a Net: Understanding the Impact of Medicaid Expansion on Colorado’s Oral Health Safety Net
August 2015 – The Colorado Health Institute

Colorado’s Health Care Safety Net Primer
August 2015 – The Colorado Health Institute

Managing the Growing Pains: Medicaid Expansion and Colorado’s Safety Net
August 2015 – The Colorado Health Institute

Health Elevations – Unlocking Health Access
August 2015 – The Colorado Health Foundation

Capturing Social and Behavioral Domains and Measures in Electronic Health Records
November 2014 – Institute of Medicine

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

• Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment funding opportunities
• SIRUM is a program that allows clinics to create and share a formulary of medications needed. They connect clinics with a network of institutional medicine donors that have unused expired medications, coordinating shipment directly from the donor to clinic.
• Project Angel Heart prepares and delivers free, nutritionally appropriate meals to people living with both a diagnosed life-threatening illness and side effects from their medical condition/treatment and/or physical and/or mental disability that restricts the client from obtaining and preparing a nutritious meal.

Check out upcoming events:

• Rocky Mountain Youth Clinic’s Healthy Start Breakfast Symposium, Sept. 24
• Building Better Health Conference, Sept. 28-29
• Colorado Health Literacy Conference, Oct. 2nd

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

The Colorado Commission on Affordable Health Care Needs to Hear from You!

The Colorado Commission on Affordable Health Care (CCAHC) is looking to gather input from you in order to help inform them on the various aspects you think are affecting cost within the health care system. Help start a larger dialogue about health care delivery by providing commissioners with responses to the following questions; responses will be posted on the CCAHC website.

1. What do you think are the fundamental cost drivers and why?
2. What are the barriers to reducing cost?
3. Can you list up to three things that you are doing to address cost that are unique?
4. Is there any supporting data that demonstrates a reduction in cost?
5. Where do you see waste in the system?
6. What are the principal barriers to transparency?
7. What would you change to make things better related to cost?

In order to help facilitate a coordinated response, ClinicNET has created an online survey for our affiliates. We will consolidate the responses and respond to the Cost Commission’s request on your behalf. If you have input on any (or all!) of the questions above, please complete the following survey (or any part of the survey) by Wednesday, September 9: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/JGVRDM2. Any and all feedback is greatly appreciated so we can accurately represent Colorado's Community Safety Net Clinics! In your responses, we encourage you to keep in mind (and share) your innovative care delivery systems, the importance of community connections, and how essential it is to address social determinants of health.

You are welcome to submit your own separate independent comments to the Cost Commission by going to the CCAHC website.

Interested in the possibility of free medication donations? Complete this survey!

“The nonprofit organization SIRUM is interested in knowing the prescription drug needs among Colorado’s Community Safety Net Clinics via this very brief survey by Friday, September 4th: link.sirum.org/clinicNET. SIRUM’s program allows clinic to create and share a formulary of medications needed. They connect clinics with a network of institutional medicine donors that have unused expired medications, coordinating shipment directly from the donor to clinic.

ClinicNET affiliate TLC Pharmacy in Colorado Springs and SIRUM have partnered to help other ClinicNET affiliate clinics gain easy access to the cost-saving benefits of donated medicine. Would your clinic be interested in receiving pre-packaged shipments of donated medications? Complete this very brief survey: link.sirum.org/clinicNET by Friday, September 4th. Contact Amy Chen, manager at SIRUM, at amy@sirum.org or 650.488.7434 for more information.

Additionally, there is a one-time opportunity to receive the following drugs in bulk from SIRUM: Buproprion 75mg, 100mg (expiring 2/2016) and Venlafaxine 25mg, 37.5mg, 50mg, 75mg, 100mg (expiring between 1-4/2016). SIRUM recently obtained grant funding to cover the processing costs of delivering these drugs in 30-count pre-packaged vials. If you are interested in receiving this donation, email Amy (amy@sirum.org) with your requested drug names, strengths, and quantities. Orders are filled on a first come, first serve basis.” [Source: SIRUM]

Reflections on Safety Net Clinic Week 2015

Safety Net Clinic Week 2015 was a great success! There were 10 individual clinic site-visits with elected officials, 7 open houses, 9 proclamations of SNCW15 and a full house at our SNCW15 Kickoff Celebration at Clinica Tepeyac!

In the latest ClinicNET Conversations blog post, Sharon Adams reflects on the essential services Community Safety Net Clinics provide, the challenges for both patients and clinics, and the compassion staff and volunteers at CSNCs display. "During Safety Net Clinic Week, Aug. 17-21, 2015, we recognize CSNCs that continue to meet the needs of the communities across our state. We celebrate doctors, nurses, other health care professionals, and the countless volunteers who selflessly work to ensure all people have access to health care." Click here to read more!

Cheers to a great Safety Net Clinic Week 2015! We are extremely grateful to COPIC and Kaiser Permanente for their generous support, as well as the participants of Safety Net Clinic Week 2015!   "Thank you to everyone who supported and participated in Safety Net Clinic Week 2015, for being innovators and for being an inspiration to me personally and to ClinicNET as a centralized voice for the safety net. I’m already looking forward to next year!" - Sharon Adams, Executive Director of ClinicNET.

Don't forget to check out our Facebook page to see pictures from the week!

   

LAST CALL! Institute for Healthcare Improvement (IHI) offerings - December forum and virtual learning opportunities

Through a generous grant from Kaiser Permanente's Community Benefit Program, ClinicNET is pleased to be able to offer to contributing ClinicNET affiliates access to Institute for Healthcare Improvement (IHI) registration scholarships and travel support funding! Interested in attending the 27th Annual National Forum on Quality Improvement in Health Care December 6-9, 2015 or participating in the IHI Open School? Contact Brooke Powers at brooke.powers@clinicnet.org or 720-863-7803 asap!  [Source: IHI]

    

It’s time to schedule the next ClinicNET Practice Administrator Cohort!

The next ClinicNET Practice Administrator Cohort will be hosted by SET Family Medical Clinics, 2864 South Circle Drive, Suite 450 in Colorado Springs. Please complete this online scheduling poll by Tuesday, September 1st so we can finalize the date/time (morning or afternoon of September 16, 18, 21, 23, or 25): http://doodle.com/7ptdb4uy3b4t9mnv. (Keep in mind travel time!)

Program Improvement Advisory Committee (PIAC) Nominations due Sept. 2

“The Department is currently accepting nominations to fill vacant member positions on the Accountable Care Collaborative Program Improvement Advisory Committee (PIAC). The current roster is available on our website.

We are accepting nominations for the following positions:

• A behavioral health client or client advocate
• A representative from a community mental health center
• A behavioral health clinician not from a community mental health center
• (Please note that either the representative from the community mental health center or the independent behavioral health clinician must have expertise in substance abuse treatment.)
• A non-voting ex-officio representative from a Behavioral Health Organization
• A non-voting ex-officio representative with expertise in oral health care to serve as a liaison to the oral health community

To nominate yourself or someone else for one of these positions, please email Matthew.Lanphier@state.co.us no later than COB on Wednesday, September 2, 2015, with the following information:

• A note describing to which position you are nominating the individual
• A completed Boards and Committee Application (here in Word and PDF)
• The individual’s CV or resume

These instructions are also on our website under “Contact Us/Join Us.” Please contact Matthew.Lanphier@state.co.us  with any questions.” [Source: HCPF]

ICD-10 Preparation and Provider Trainings Available!

Thanks to the Colorado Community Health Network, ClinicNET affiliate clinics have access to the following ICD-10 trainings:

ICD-10-CM Coding Campout - Sept. 15, 2015, 1:00-3:30 p.m.
This, instructor led, ‘live’ webinar allows coders to join in on a practice ICD-10-CM coding session with their peers and will provide an informal, open forum between students and current ICD-10 approved trainers. Cost: $55. Click here to register.

Top ICD-10 Diagnosis Code Webinar Series for Providers
This training was developed to prepare the busy provider for the transition from ICD-9 to ICD-10. The series includes short (5-10 minutes each) webinars on “must know” elements for the most utilized diagnoses codes. AAFP CME credits are available. Cost: $90. Click here to register.

Evaluation & Management Documentation for Providers
Roughly 80% of all encounters billed include E/M codes, yet evaluation and management coding continues to be the most challenging areas for providers and coders. This web-based curriculum offers a step-by-step curriculum during which participants will learn everything they need to know about key components of history, physical exam and medical decision-making. Using real life clinical examples, participants will see that it's not the quantity of documentation that matters--it's the quality. Cost: $255; 10% discount offered for registrations of 3 or more providers at-one-time. Click here to register.

Please contact Sarah Macrander, SMacrander@cchn.org, with questions. [Source: CCHN]

The Colorado Trust Health Equity Learning Series: Health Equity and Racism

“YOU'RE INVITED to attend The Colorado Trust’s Health Equity Learning Series luncheon on Thursday, Sept. 17, 2015, featuring a presentation by john a. powell. Professor powell will speak about the history of race, racism and power in the United States, and how it relates to health equity and health care.

The luncheon is Thursday, Sept. 17, 11:00am-1:00pm at History Colorado Center, 1200 Broadway, Denver, CO 80203. Register by Monday, Sept. 14. Space is LIMITED. Please let us know if you have any special dietary needs. If you are unable to attend the luncheon, please note that we will be live-streaming the presentation on Sept. 17, 2015, at 11:30 a.m. MST. Click here to register for the live-stream.” [Source: The Colorado Trust]

The Colorado Health Foundation – Healthy Living Funding Opportunities

“The Colorado Health Foundation is pleased to announce we will continue to accept applications for the following funding opportunities within our Healthy Living outcome area. Application deadline is Oct. 15, 2015. 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 related to this outcome area. Additional details are listed below:

Funding Opportunity: Physical Activity Infrastructure
The goal of this funding opportunity is to provide convenient access to playground equipment for underserved kids in the K-5th grade age group in Colorado and foster community pride and spirit around the community playground. [Learn More]

Funding Opportunity: Out-of-School Time Physical Activity
The goal of this funding opportunity is to support organizations in providing quality, structured physical activity in out-of-school time settings (including before school, after school and summer programs). We will consider proposals for up to two years of funding. [Learn More]

Get more information about these funding opportunities by visiting the funding opportunity page linked above, registering for our upcoming applicant information webinar or contacting the assigned program officers. Thank you for your interest in joining us as we work to make Colorado the healthiest state in the nation.” [Source: TCHF]

Resources on the 5 year bar for pregnant women and children

“Colorado Covering Kids and Families (CKF) now has a Spanish version of the fact sheet for clients about the removal of the five-year bar. The Spanish version is now available here (view the English version here). For more information on the removal of the five-year bar for legally present pregnant women and children to be eligible for Medicaid and Child Health Plan Plus, please see the Frequently Asked Questions document from HCPF.

CKF has also updated its job aid, Immigration Status Eligibility for Health Insurance Affordability Programs, to reflect the policy change and to include class codes of the various immigration categories.” [Source: CKF]

PEAK Updates: Client Correspondence Issues

"The Governor's Office of Information Technology (OIT) CBMS team and its partners would like to share the latest information on client correspondence issues.

As you know, the PEAK Mail Center was not available between July 9 and July 28, 2015. However, we  would also like to inform you that this issue was tied to a breach that occurred between May 25 and July 5, 2015 in which client correspondence notices were mistakenly mailed to unintended recipients. It has been determined that a HIPAA breach impacted 1,622 CBMS clients and a social security number breach affected 1,258 CBMS clients. The technical error that caused notices to be mailed to unintended recipients was fixed on July 5 to prevent the problem from continuing. Please click here for the details on this important information." [Source: PEAK Colorado]

Safety Net Clinic Week 2015 is in full swing!

ClinicNET and our affiliates have been very busy! Starting last week with a Kick-off Celebration at Clinica Tepeyac, affiliate clinics hosting open houses, site-visits and receiving proclamations, this has been a Safety Net Clinic Week to remember! Here are some highlights from different activities taking place across Colorado:

State Senator Irene Aguilar, Sharon Adams, Executive Director, ClinicNET and Jim Garcia, Founder/Executive Director of Clinica Tepeyac providing remarks at the Safety Net Clinic Week 2015 Kickoff Celebration at Clinica Tepeyac on August 13th!

Jill Schneider, Executive Director of Clinica Colorado, Priscilla Resendiz staffer with US Senator Michael Bennet's Office, JoJo Gelderman and Jess Worley with ClinicNET at Clinica Colorado's Open House on August 18th!

Norma Portnoy and Maria Zubia with Kids First Health Care receiving a proclamation from the Commerce City City Council on August 17th!

The DAWN Clinic Open House on August 17th. 

If you have any questions regarding Safety Net Clinic Week 2015, feel free to reach out to the 2015 Safety Net Clinic Week Coordinator, Jess Worley at jessica.worley@clinicnet.org or (720) 863-7805.

Health Care Funding Opportunities – The Colorado Health Foundation

“The Colorado Health Foundation is excited to announce the opening of new funding opportunities within our Health Care outcome area.  In Health Care, our focus is to ensure all Coloradans achieve health with support from a network of primary health care and community services.

Funding Opportunity: Advance Care Planning
As part of the Colorado Health Foundation's strategy to empower individuals and families to manage their own health, the Advance Care Planning funding opportunity will award grants of up to two years and up to approximately $300,000 for implementation of effective advance care planning initiatives in Colorado.

Advance care planning is important for health engagement, person-centered care, shared decision-making and achievement of Triple Aim objectives and helps ensure that health care wishes at end of life or in the event of incapability are honored.

This funding opportunity is designed to accelerate existing advance care planning efforts in Colorado where feasible and to support innovative demonstration projects that have the goal of increasing individual and family health engagement. Open Grant Deadlines: Oct. 15, 2015, Feb. 15, 2016, June 15, 2016. Get more information about this funding opportunity by attending an informational webinar on Aug. 25 or contacting the assigned program officer.

Open for Applications: Strengthening the Safety Net: Capital Support
In 2009, the Colorado Health Foundation launched "Strengthening the Safety Net," which was intended to help Colorado's safety net clinics prepare for health reform. Since then, the Foundation has supported a wide array of clinics throughout the state including Federally Qualified Health Centers, rural health clinics, mental health centers and other community clinics for capital, operating and project grants. As primary care providers to underserved Coloradans, these clinics are important partners supporting our work to ensure all Coloradans achieve health with support from a network of primary health care and community services.

This capital funding opportunity is a continuation of the Strengthening the Safety Net initiative, and will support the expansion, construction or renovation of clinics to increase their capacity to provide team-based and patient-centered primary care to underserved Coloradans. Open Grant Deadlines: October 15, 2015, Feb. 15, 2016. Get more information about this funding opportunity by accessing the funding opportunity page and attending an informational webinar on Aug. 26 or contacting the assigned program officer." [Source: TCHF]

SIM: Request for Qualifications update

"The University of Colorado is finalizing a Request for Qualifications (RFQ) that will be released this fall. The RFQ will seek to gather information on recommended qualifications from practices who are interested in participating in SIM. The practices that are selected to participate will receive technical assistance and financial support to integrate physical and behavioral health and test value-based payment models.

All practices that would like to be considered for the first cohort of SIM should respond to the RFQ when it is released this fall. If you would like to be added to our distribution list please visit the contact us section of the website in order to receive more information as it becomes available." [Source: SIM]

ICD-10 Preparation and Provider Trainings Available!

Thanks to the Colorado Community Health Network, ClinicNET affiliate clinics have access to the following ICD-10 trainings:

ICD-10-CM Coding Campout - Sept. 15, 2015, 1:00-3:30 p.m.
This, instructor led, ‘live’ webinar allows coders to join in on a practice ICD-10-CM coding session with their peers and will provide an informal, open forum between students and current ICD-10 approved trainers. Cost: $55. Click here to register.

Top ICD-10 Diagnosis Code Webinar Series for Providers
This training was developed to prepare the busy provider for the transition from ICD-9 to ICD-10. The series includes short (5-10 minutes each) webinars on “must know” elements for the most utilized diagnoses codes. AAFP CME credits are available. Cost: $90. Click here to register.

Evaluation & Management Documentation for Providers
Roughly 80% of all encounters billed include E/M codes, yet evaluation and management coding continues to be the most challenging areas for providers and coders. This web-based curriculum offers a step-by-step curriculum during which participants will learn everything they need to know about key components of history, physical exam and medical decision-making. Using real life clinical examples, participants will see that it's not the quantity of documentation that matters--it's the quality. Cost: $255; 10% discount offered for registrations of 3 or more providers at-one-time. Click here to register.

Please contact Sarah Macrander, SMacrander@cchn.org, with questions. [Source: CCHN]

Corps Community Connection and Awards Cermony, October 9

"Save the Date for Corps Community Connection and Awards Cermony, October 9, 2015, 6:00-8:00pm. Click here for more information. Corps Community Day highlights primary medical, dental and behavioral health care for the underserved in Colorado. It is an opportunity for students, residents, providers and Colorado’s safety-net healthcare facilities to network. Furthermore, the event celebrates accomplishments of National Health Service Corps and Colorado Health Service Corps providers.

Safety-net healthcare facilities in attendance include: federally qualified health centers, rural health clinics, community funded safety-net clinics and other sites meeting the primary care needs of Colorado’s underserved. In addition to the chance to connect with motivated, like-minded professionals, there will be plenty of food and drinks and special giveaways!

We encourage sites and colleagues to nominate Colorado or National Health Service Corps participants who have been exceptional employees and providers through community leadership, patient engagement, exemplary teaching, innovative improvement or creative leadership. You also may nominate a student involved in a rural or urban track who has shown leadership and collaboration. If selected, the provider and/or student will receive an award and public recognition at the event." [Source: Colorado Community Health Network]

Funding Opportunity: LAUNCH Together Community Planning Grant

“Funding Opportunity:  LAUNCH Together Phase I Community Planning Grant
The LAUNCH Together initiative is inspired and informed by SAMHSA's Project LAUNCH (Linking Actions for Unmet Needs in Children's Health) initiative and Colorado Project LAUNCH partners.  LAUNCH Together is inviting applications from Colorado communities interested in expanding evidence-based prevention and promotion practices and building coordinated systems to support the wellness of children prenatal through age 8 with a focus on behavioral health and social and emotional development. 

LAUNCH Together aims to 1) invest in communities to plan and implement effective community-based strategies and train professionals in a variety of settings; 2) bring together public and private partners to communicate what works, raise awareness and support policy changes to sustain effective community practices; and 3) evaluate the project and provide technical assistance to grantees.

Grants awarded through this funding opportunity will support communities in conducting a comprehensive planning process, including an environmental scan of systems and programs in the grantee's community as well as development of a strategic plan to guide the work.

Due Date for Applications: Oct.19, 2015, 5:00 p.m. MST
Estimated Number of Awards: Up to 7
Estimated Award Amount: Up to $55,000 per award

Get more information about this funding opportunity by visiting launchtogethercolorado.org or contacting project staff:

• Morgan Janke, LAUNCH Together Project Director, mjanke@earlymilestones.org
• Molly Yost, LAUNCH Together TA & Policy Manager, myost@earlymilestones.org” [Source: TCHF]

Nominate a Community Champion – CCMU Annual Luncheon

“Each year, the Colorado Coalition for the Medically Underserved honors four community members who have made outstanding contributions to improve health care systems and provide care for the medically underserved. The 4 award types are: Physician, Non-Physician Provider, Community Leader/Advocate, and Lifetime Achievement. Please nominate deserving individuals by 5:00pm on August 31, 2015. Awardees receive a $250 donation to their organization and recognition at the September 24, 2015 luncheon. Click here for the nomination form.

CCMU’s annual fundraising luncheon, September 24, 11am-1pm, will feature Thomas Goetz, a digital health expert pioneering the use of data and design to improve consumers’ health care decisions. Prior to writing two critically-acclaimed books and giving two hugely popular TED talks, Goetz was the editor of WIRED magazine. He has served as Entrepreneur-in-Residence for the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, where he created Flip the Clinic, and offers a new vision of health care in the US. Click here to register for the luncheon.” [Source: CCMU]

2015 Colorado Health Access Survey Results

"Please join The Colorado Trust and the Colorado Health Institute for a briefing on the new data and a discussion about health coverage and health care in Colorado, post-Affordable Care Act. Please select the event which best fits your interest, expertise and availability and RSVP to CHAS@coloradohelathinstitute.org specifying which event you plan to attend.

• Provers and Plans: Tuesday, Sept. 1, 7:30-9:00am, Colorado Health Institute, 303 E. 17th Ave., Denver CO 80203
• Policymakers: Tuesday, Sept. 1, 12:00-1:30pm, Maggiano's Little Italy - Denver Pavilions, 500 16th Street Suite 150, Denver CO 80202
• Community Health and Advocates: Wednesday, Sept. 2, 12:00-1:30pm, History Colorado, 1200 Broadway Ave, Denver CO 80203
• Researchers: Thursday, Sept. 3, 12:00-1:30pm, University of Colorado Anchutz Medical Campus, 13080 E. 19th Ave, Aurora CO 80045" [Source: CHI]

Documentation Excellence: ICD-10 from a Physician’s Perspective

"The Colorado Medical Society and Colorado Access present "Documentation Excellence: ICD-10 from a Physician's Perspective," with James M. Taylor, MD, Senior Medical Director of Clinical Analytics/Performance Improvement at Colorado Access. This 90-minute program is accredited for 1.5 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit(s)™ and will be presented at locations along the Front Range.

The primary audience is intended to be physicians. Practice managers are welcome to attend with one of their practice's physicians. Programs are being scheduled at various locations. Click the links below for registration information. Check this website on CMS.org for more information as additional locations are added. Plan to attend one of these free programs! Those unable to attend live will be able to access a recorded webinar on CMS.org.

• Denver: Aug. 24, 7:30 - 9 a.m. (morning program)
• Denver: Aug. 24, 6 - 7:30 p.m. (evening program)
• Northern Colorado (Loveland): Sept. 8, 6:30 - 8 p.m.
• Colorado Springs: Sept. 10, 6:30 - 8 p.m." [Source: CMS]

Healthy Transitions Colorado Learning Series Symposium, October 16

“You are invited to the 2nd Healthy Transitions Colorado Learning Series Symposium, Nurturing Community Collaboration, October 16, 8:00am-3:30pm. Register here.

Join us as we enhance the network of care by improving communication between community partners across the care continuum. Speakers include Dr. Jane Brock, Joe Sammen, Jonathan Mathieu, and many more! Take advantage of this exciting opportunity to engage with partners across the state! Learn more about it by clicking here.” [Source: Healthy Transitions Colorado]

Safety Net Clinic Week 2015 Proclaimed!

The State of Colorado has proclaimed August 17-21, 2015 as Safety Net Clinic Week, recognizing Community Safety Net Clinics and federally certified Rural Health Clinics across the state!

WHEREAS, there are 43 Community Safety Net Clinics (CSNCs) and 51 federally certified Rural Health Clinics (RHCs) located in 41 counties throughout Colorado; and

WHEREAS, these clinics were created by civic-minded individuals, health care professionals and systems, churches and other community organizations who recognize despite the presence of other safety net providers in their communities, there are many individuals, children and families still in need of timely access to health care services; and

WHEREAS, Colorado’s CSNCs and RHCs provide an estimated 1,125,000 visits to approximately 344,000 Coloradans annually, many in rural and underserved parts of our state; and

WHEREAS, these clinics provide essential health care treatment and preventive services to people and communities in need throughout our state; and

WHEREAS, CSNCs and RHCs are safety net providers primarily serving Coloradans who are uninsured, underinsured or insured through public programs like Medicaid, CHP+ and Medicare; and

WHEREAS, CSNCs and RHCs receive very little, if any government funding; instead they rely on complex and vulnerable funding streams; and

WHEREAS, CSNCs and RHCs often lack human and technical resources, but are creating innovative solutions to delivering patient-centered, high quality care in an efficient and effective manner; and

Therefore, I, John W. Hickenlooper, Governor of the State of Colorado, recognize that Community Safety Net Clinics and federally certified Rural Health Clinics provide essential health care services to Colorado’s underserved populations and areas; and

Express my appreciation and gratitude to all these clinics who dedicate their time, energy and resources to serving their communities; and

Do hereby proclaim August 17 - 21, 2015,

SAFETY NET CLINIC WEEK in the state of Colorado.

Colorado Health Foundation Funding Opportunity: Health Care - Deadline Oct. 15

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

Funding Opportunity: Connecting Communities and Care
The Colorado Health Foundation will support up to fifteen Colorado geographically-dispersed communities for up to $200,000 for two years to facilitate connections between community-based resources and the health care system to improve the health of the community's population. Selected communities will also have access to technical assistance and a peer-to-peer learning collaborative.

This initiative is designed to help communities improve cross-sector collaboration, and is focused on four health conditions: obesity, mental health, diabetes and heart disease. These conditions were identified as top priorities for most of the state through an analysis of the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment public health assessment data. Funding will support and accelerate existing partnerships working to create community health beyond the clinical setting by linking existing resources and programs between health care and communities. To be considered for funding, applicants must meet specific criteria.

Grant Deadline: Oct. 15, 2015. Get more information about this funding opportunity by downloading the FAQ and attending an informational webinar on Aug. 18, or by contacting the assigned program officer Melanie Herrera Bortz, mherrerabortz@coloradohealth.org, 303.953.3658.” [Source: TCHF]

Provider News - New UM Vendor starts on 9/1/15

“Please take a moment to review this important upcoming change for Medicaid providers who submit Prior Authorization Requests (PARs) for Medicaid services. We are doing everything we can to make sure that providers are aware of this change in advance so that care for our Members is not interrupted or delayed.

ACCESS TO CAREWEBQI ENDING AUGUST 31, 2015
eQHealth Solutions was selected by the Department to provide utilization management services beginning September 1, 2015. eQHealth Solutions will review and authorize PARs for the ColoradoPAR Program.  Providers must register and create a new log on with eQHealth’s PAR Portal, eQSuite.  Please visit http://co.eqhs.org/ for information, instructions and to register for Web trainings on the new portal.

For additional questions, please refer to the following:

• ColoradoPAR Program Vendor Transition FAQ
• ColoradoPAR Program Vendor Transition Fact Sheet
• For questions regarding the vendor transition, the new online PAR submission process scheduled to begin on September 1, 2015, online PAR trainings, or eQHealth Solutions provider customer service contact information,  please visit http://co.eqhs.org/.
• For questions regarding PAR submissions prior to September 1, 2015, please contact the ColoradoPAR Program Provider helpline at 1-888-454-7686.” [Source: HCPF]

Nominate an outstanding volunteer physician by August 31!

“Do you know a Colorado physician deserving of recognition for his/her volunteer medical services? Nominate them for COPIC’s Harold E. Williamson Volunteer Award! This award is presented each year to honor a Colorado physician for volunteer medical services and contribution to the community. We specifically look to recognize those individuals who unassumingly volunteer outside the spectrum of their day-to-day lives. Click here for more information and click here to view the nomination form. Nominations must be postmarked by August 31st. $10,000 will be given to the health-related 501(c)3 organization of the recipient’s choice! This is a great way to show appreciation for your volunteer clinicians!” [Source: COPIC]

Colorado State Innovation Model (SIM) Monthly Newsletter – NEW

“The Colorado State Innovation Model will begin distributing a monthly newsletter the second Wednesday of every month. Click here to be added to the distribution list.

SIM Advisory Board to be Expanded: In response to numerous comments received from the stakeholder community, the SIM Advisory Board will be expanded to include four new members. Two of these members will represent consumers, one will represent a major hospital, and one will represent a major national payer.  Read more.

SIM Practice Transformation Organization (PTO) Request for Proposals: The University of Colorado (UC) Anschutz Medical Campus (AMC) released a Request For Proposals (RFP) on July 31, 2015 in an effort to select a pool of approved vendors to provide practice transformation support services. These services would be available to health practices in Colorado participating in one or more innovative projects, including to 400 primary care practices to be identified to participate in SIM. Participating practices in the SIM program and future programs will be eligible to receive Practice Facilitation as well as Clinical Health Information Technology (HIT) advising to support their progression to high performing primary care practices providing integrated physical health and behavioral health.

Organizations interested in being considered as an approved vendor to provide Practice Facilitation and/or Clinical Health Information Technology Advising are invited to respond to the RFP titled "AMC- Practice Transformation Organizations" located on the UC Procurement Service Center website. Read more about this opportunity.

Looking Ahead: Request for Qualifications for First Cohort: The University of Colorado is finalizing a Request for Qualifications (RFQ) that will be released this fall. The RFQ will seek to gather information on recommended qualifications from practices who are interested in participating in SIM. The practices that are selected to participate will receive technical assistance and financial support to integrate physical and behavioral health and test value-based payment models. All practices that would like to be considered for the first cohort of SIM should respond to the RFQ when it is released this fall. Sign up for the SIM Newsletter to receive more information when it becomes available.” [Source: SIM]

MLN Connects National Provider Call August 27: Countdown to ICD-10

“Don’t miss the Medicare Learning Network (MLN) Connects Call Thursday, August 27; 2:30-4 pm ET — five weeks before ICD-10 implementation on October 1, 2015. CMS Acting Administrator Andy Slavitt will be opening the call with a national implementation update. Then, Sue Bowman from the American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA) and Nelly Leon-Chisen from the American Hospital Association (AHA) will be joining us with coding guidance and tips, along with updates from CMS. To Register: Visit MLN Connects Event Registration. Space may be limited, register early.

Agenda:

• National implementation update, CMS Acting Administrator Andy Slavitt
• Coding guidance, AHA and AHIMA
• How to get answers to coding questions
• Claims that span the implementation date
• Results from acknowledgement and end-to-end testing weeks
• Provider resources

Target Audience: Medical coders, physicians, physician office staff, nurses and other non-physician practitioners, provider billing staff, health records staff, vendors, educators, system maintainers, laboratories, skilled nursing facilities, home health agencies, and all Medicare providers.

Keep Up to Date on ICD-10: Visit the CMS ICD-10 website and Roadto10.org for the latest news and resources to help you prepare. Sign up for CMS ICD-10 Industry Email Updates and follow us on Twitter.” [Source: CMS]

Million Hearts networking opportunity, September 2

“Join Million Hearts colleagues for Community of Practice Social #2, to catch up on what's new in cardiovascular health in Colorado. Your valuable input and engagement will shape how we continue to strategically align around the Million Hearts national aim to prevent 1 million heart attacks and strokes by 2017. As a valued community partner in this initiative, we know improving the cardiovascular health of all Coloradans is important to you, and you are warmly invited!

Wednesday, Sept. 2, 4:30 - 6:30 p.m.
Jax Fish House, 650 South Colorado Boulevard

Featuring:

• Brooke Bodart, CDPHE Health Systems: Meaningful Use updates for hypertension and diabetes
• Devin Detwiler, Telligen: The CardioLAN learning and action network
• Allyson Gottsman, CU: EvidenceNow Initiative and QI for small practices
• Robin Daigh, National Jewish Health Initiatives: E-Referrals and the Colorado QuitLine Partnering for Heart Health

Light bites will be provided. Find out more or sign up with Tara Trujillo (tara.trujillo@state.co.us), Million Hearts coordinator for the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment.” [Source: COPrevent]

CCHAP Practice Manager Newsletter - Medicaid Provider Revalidation Requirement

“New federal regulations established by CMS require enhanced screening and revalidation of all Medicare, Medicaid, and CHP+ providers. Beginning September 15, 2015, all Colorado providers who want to continue, or begin, providing services to Medicaid and CHP+ members after March 31, 2016 will be required to enroll and revalidate their licensure and business information under new federal enrollment screening criteria.

HCPF will be hosting Revalidation & Enrollment webinars every business day from 1 p.m. - 2 p.m. (Mountain Time) in August 2015 for all providers. Visit the Provider Resources page to register!

Self-paced Online Enrollment Application Training for the new Colorado Online Provider Enrollment (OPE) tool will be available for all providers starting August 24, 2015. These are online, self-paced, eLearning modules. Visit the Provider Resources page to register!

Check out the Colorado Children’s Healthcare Access Program’s (CCHAP) latest Practice Manager Newsletter for more information on:

• Enhanced Primary Care Medical Provider Initiative
• Medicaid Provider Relations Team
• Brochure for Teens: Depression
• Health Reform and the AAP: What the New Law means for Children and Pediatricians
• Colorado PAR Program - New Vendor” [Source: CCHAP]

New Articles & Publications

Colorado Medical Homes: Creating Healthy Connections
July 29, 2015 – The Colorado Health Foundation and Colorado Health Institute

The State-based Marketplaces: A Focus on Innovation, Flexibility, and Coverage
July 22, 2015 – National Academy for State Health Policy

Adult Dental Benefits in Medicaid: Recent Experiences from Seven States
July 10, 2015 – National Academy for State Health Policy

Non-profit startup launches free ICD-10 conversion tools
July 8, 2015 – Healthcare IT News

Tri-Agency Regulatory Alignment Initiative to Support Integrated Care
July 2015 - Offices of Behavioral Health, Health Care Policy and Financing, and Public Health and Environment

The Self-Sufficiency Standard for Colorado 2015
June 2015 – Colorado Center on Law and Policy

Access Challenges Arise from Expanded Medicaid Dental Benefit
May 28, 2015 – The Colorado Health Institute

Upcoming Events:

• Rocky Mountain Youth Clinic’s Healthy Start Breakfast Symposium, September 24

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

Open Houses and Site-Visits During Safety Net Clinic Week 2015

Safety Net Clinic Week 2015 is right around the corner! We are very excited that so many clinics are participating in Safety Net Clinic Week this year. We’re still scheduling site-visits and will contact you directly if any legislators or their staffers are interested in visiting your clinic. The following clinics are participating in SNCW activities by hosting an open house or a site-visit:

• Clinica Colorado
• Clinica Tepeyac
• DAWN Clinic
• Hopelight Medical Clinic
• Kids First Health Care
• Mission Medical Clinic
• Rocky Mountain Youth Clinics
• SET Family Medical Clinics

Questions about Safety Net Clinic Week? Contact the 2015 Safety Net Clinic Week Coordinator, Jess Worley at jessica.worley@clinicnet.org or (720) 863- 7805. Don’t forget to check out the toolkit for SNCW resources!

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]

Additional GPO opportunities now available to ClinicNET Affiliates!

Thanks to the Colorado Community Health Network, contributing ClinicNET affiliate clinics (nonprofits only) are eligible to access discounted pricing through several Group Purchasing Organization (GPO) Programs including:

• LabCorp services
• Henry Schein dental supplies
• Henry Schein medical supplies 
• McKesson medical and surgical supplies
• Staples Advantage

Click here for more information on these opportunities. If you are interested in participating in any of the GPOs, please contact brooke.powers@clinicnet.org or 720-863-7803.

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.

Funds for Charitable Organizations in Colorado – BBVA Compass Foundation

“The BBVA Compass Foundation supports nonprofit organizations that are making a positive impact in the communities the bank serves in Alabama, Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida, New Mexico, New York, and Texas. The Foundation gives priority to requests that best reflect the following focus areas: community development/financial literacy, education, health and human services, arts and culture, environment and natural resources, and diversity and inclusion. Online applications are due September 30, 2015. (Prior to submitting a grant request, organizations interested in applying are invited to join one of the Charitable Contributions Process Conference Calls/Webinar Presentations to be held on August 21 and September 11.) Visit the bank’s website to learn more about the Foundation’s guidelines and application process.” [Source: BBVA Compass Foundation]

Multiple Chronic Conditions Education and Training Resources - Technical Assistance Webinars

“New training materials to provide health care professionals with the education necessary to care for people living with multiple chronic conditions is now available online. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Education and Training Resources on Multiple Chronic Conditions (MCC) for the Healthcare Workforce were created by the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Health in collaboration with the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA).

Three technical assistance webinars will be held to review these new Multiple Chronic Conditions Education and Training materials and address questions regarding their access and use. Register now by RSVP to MCC@HHS.GOV indicating the date you would like to attend as attendance is limited to 300 for each session:

• Wednesday, August 19, 2015; 2:30 - 4:00 p.m. EDT; Webinar Details: Call-in number: 888-455-0579; Participant passcode: 1245558; https://hrsa.connectsolutions.com/ta_hhs_mccetr/
• Thursday, September 17, 2015; 2:30 - 4:00 p.m. EDT; Webinar Details: Call in number: 888-455-0579; Participant passcode: 1245558; https://hrsa.connectsolutions.com/ta_hhs_mccetr/

The online Multiple Chronic Conditions Education and Training materials resources include:

• MCC Education and Training Repository - a searchable database of existing educational resources that specifically address the care of persons living with MCC;
• MCC: A Framework for Education and Training - a conceptual model that outlines the core domains and competencies for the interprofessional health care team, and;
• Education and Training Curriculum on MCC - a web-based course with six modules (i.e., person- and family centered care, self-management support, knowledge for practice in complex care, interprofessional collaboration, coordinated care delivery and systems based practice).

For more information about the HHS Initiative on Multiple Chronic Conditions and the HHS Education and Training Resources on MCC, go to http://www.hhs.gov/ash/initiatives/mcc.” [Source: HHS]

Access Challenges Arise from Expanded Medicaid Dental Benefit - Colorado Health Institute report

“Thousands of people are taking advantage of the new Medicaid dental benefit for Colorado adults. But the increasing demand is taking a toll on an oral health system that is already stretched, and many patients are having a hard time making dental appointments in a timely manner.

The Safety Net Advisory Committee took a look at access issues in oral health at its last learning lab in May. This issue of Food for Thought covers the discussion. Safety net and dental experts from around the state talked about their experiences and suggested ways to improve oral health access for all. Read the latest edition of Food for Thought here.” [Source: Colorado Health Institute]

Webinar: Improving Care Transitions: Creating Your Evidence Based Approach August 14

“The Center for Care Innovations (CCI) is pleased to announce the next webinar in the Care Integration Series will be held August 14 at 1:00pm MT. Hosted in partnership with the UCSF Center for Excellence in Primary Care (CEPC), with support from Blue Shield of California Foundation, the webinar on creating evidence-based approaches to improving care transitions will feature a presentation by Jack Chase, MD, Director of Operations, Family Medicine Inpatient Service, San Francisco General Hospital and associate professor at the UCSF Department of Family and Community Medicine. Click here to register. If you have questions, please email cepc@fcm.ucsf.edu.

This webinar is the latest in a series supplementing the Facilitating Care Integration resource center, which offers strategies, tools and best practices for integrating primary care with various domains of the medical neighborhood. Our most recent webinar discussed pediatric behavioral health at Children's Hospital Colorado; you can watch the recording and download the slides here. Click here to watch the rest of our past webinar recordings, covering topics including pharmacy care and diabetic retinopathy screenings.” [Source: CCI]