A Note from the ClinicNET Board President...

Dear ClinicNET Affiliates, stakeholders and community partners:

It is with a heavy heart that ClinicNET closes its door today.  YOU are the reason we have existed for nearly 10 years and we regret that we were unable to sustain operations in this ever-changing health care environment today.  Our staff and Board has been focused on working toward the vision that “All Coloradans engage in, and are well served by, a health care system that advances the health of individuals and their communities.”  We have celebrated many victories and jumped many hurdles in the quest to achieve this vision together.  We are proud of you and the work you do every day on the ground to ensure the most vulnerable people in Colorado are well served by your clinics.  The fight for health care access, health equity and innovation is not over…indeed, in many ways it has just begun.  So keep pushing forward and remember that you are stronger together and unified in your missions.

THANK YOU for investing in ClinicNET.  It has been an honor to serve you, to walk alongside you, to learn from you, to be inspired by you, and to fight for you. 

THANK YOU for all that you do…you are an inspiration! Keep up your incredible work!

With deep gratitude,

Kim Boyd, RN, NP, ND

ClinicNET President, Board of Directors

For future reference, my contact information:

303-667-6061

kim@lolina-health.com

www.lolina-health.com

ClinicNET Affiliate Resource Guide!

We hope ClinicNET affiliates will find the resources below helpful in our absence. The ClinicNET website will shut down 12/31/16; be sure to check out the resources page before it does! Our Safety Net Scene blog will remain in perpetuity so feel free to bookmark it!

Advocacy and Policy
Colorado Legislature www.leg.state.co.us
Find out who your elected officials are at www.votesmart.org
Sample letter to legislator
Sample letter to editor
Social media tips
Sample press release – use for sharing newsworthy information including new funding, new partnerships, new services, new team members, etc.
Sample media alert – use for publicizing events

Engage with some of our great community partners -  many have newsletter and/or alerts you can sign-up to receive!
Colorado Nonprofit Association
All Kids Covered

Colorado Children’s Campaign
Colorado Coalition for the Medically Underserved (CCMU)
Oral Health Colorado (OHCO)
Center for Improving Value in Health Care (CIVHC)

Colorado Consumer Health Initiative (CCHI)

Colorado Covering Kids and Families (CKF)

Colorado Health Institute (CHI)
Colorado Rural Heath Center
Colorado Regional Health Connectors

Colorado Regional Health Information Organization (CORHIO)
Colorado Children's Healthcare Access Program (CCHAP)

Stay up to date with what's going on at the State with Medicaid, the exchange/marketplace, practice transformation initiatives and and other programs:
HCPF Committees, Board and Collaborations
Colorado Health Care Policy and Financing news
Health First Colorado Member Newsletter
PEAKView Newsletter
ACC Phase II Update Newsletter
At A Glance Newsletter from HCPF
COPrevent Newsletter from Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment
Connect for Health Colorado Newsletter
Practice Innovation/Transformation initiatives:
Colorado Health Extension Services: Practice Innovation Program
Colorado Medical Home Initiative e-mail communication
SIM Innovation Newsletter

Funding (also check out our funding page on our website!)
Colorado Grants Guide
Colorado Association of Funders

ACC Phase II Draft RFP and Stakeholder Meetings

Click HERE for...

• Draft RFP
• Stakeholder engagement webinar and in-person meetings 
• Department is seeking targeted comments on the draft RFP

[Source:  ACC Phase II Update]

ACC Program Improvement Advisory Committee (PIAC)

Here are the topics that the PIAC subcommittees will be diving into in advance of the December 21st PIAC meeting.
Provider and Community Issues: attribution, relationship between RAE and providers, network adequacy
Health Impact on Lives: Health Improvement: quality and data, EPSTD and healthy communities, member engagement
Improving and Bridging Systems: risk stratification, long-term services and supports interactions
Medicare- Medicaid Program ad hoc subcommittee: currently discussing focus areas, please contact Van.Wilson@state.co.us for more information

If you would like to attend any of these subcommittees, visit our PIAC website for meeting information. Please note: Health Impact on Lives will be meeting on 12/15 instead of their regularly scheduled date.

[Source: HCPF]

Free Webinar: Building Communities in an Uncertain Time

Join us December 7th for a discussion with policy experts from the Colorado Hospital Association, the Colorado Health Care Association, the Colorado Rural Health Center, and CORHIO. We will discuss potential changes to the health care landscape in 2017 and why building cross-sector, relationships is more important than ever.

Space is limited. REGISTER TODAY!

[Source: Healthy Transitions Colorado]

CDPHE's VISION data tool has launched!

What is it and where can I find it?
The Visual Information System for Identifying Opportunities and Needs (VISION) was created to increase the availability of easily accessible chronic disease and related data in Colorado. This tool will continue to grow, so check back often.

For more information and links to the tool, click HERE

[Source: COPrevent]

Maintenance Medications By Mail Now Available to Health First Colorado Members

The Department of Health Care Policy and Financing announced today that members of Health First Colorado (Colorado's Medicaid program) can begin receiving health maintenance medications by mail. Previously, Health First Colorado members could only get maintenance medications through the mail in very limited circumstances, such as a proven physical hardship. Receiving maintenance medications by mail will increase convenience and efficiency while improving consumer choice and health outcomes.  Click HERE for the rest of the article.

Colorado Medical Home Community Forum: Supporting Integrated Care

Topics and Presenters:
Updates from the SIM Office
Barbara Martin, SIM Office Director

Stakeholder Input on the Accountable Care Collaborative Phase II RFP
Susan Mathieu, ACC Program Manager

Dec. 13, 2016 ~ 4:30 - 6:30 p.m.
Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment
4300 Cherry Creek Dr S ~ DOC Room, Building A
Denver, Colorado 80246
RSVP - Participants have the option to join in-person or via webinar.

[Source: Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment]

News from CKF Coalition Update

CCHI Collecting ACA Impact Stories
The Colorado Consumer Health Initiative (CCHI) is collecting stories about the impact of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) and the importance of health care. Use this link to tell your own story, or share the link with others so they can tell their story. CCHI may use the stories collected to help protect the coverage gains the ACA has contributed to in Colorado.

Funding Available for American Indian/Alaska Native Outreach
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services released a funding opportunity announcement that makes available $4 million in cooperative agreements to enroll and retain uninsured American Indian and Alaska Native children who are eligible for Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Program. This grant opportunity is open to:
Indian Health Services providers
Tribes and Tribal organizations operating a health program under the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act (P.L. 93- 638, as amended)
Urban Indian organizations receiving funding under the Indian Health Care Improvement Act (P.L. 94-437, as amended).
Coalitions headed by one of the above entities are also eligible to apply. A more detailed description of the funding opportunity, including information about a potential applicant teleconference, can be found here.

Resources for the Uninsured
HCPF created an information sheet for providers to hand out to clients that explains open enrollment and the benefits of being insured.
CCHI and the Piton Foundation’s Blue Guide helps assisters and others find health care options and resources that are available for uninsured and underinsured Coloradans.

Click Here for complete CKF Coalition Update and previous Updates.

Webinar on Implementing the Culturally and Linguistically Appropriate Services Standards

The Culturally and Linguistically Appropriate Services (CLAS) standards were developed to provide guidance on how to improve service delivery to clients who may not have sufficient access to care based on race, ethnicity, linguistic capacity or cultural background. This webinar is for Health Center leaders, managers/supervisors and staff. It will provide an overview of each Standard with specific examples of strategies in meeting the standard for organizational system improvement.

Thursday, December 8, 12:30-1:30 MST. Register here.

[Source: COPrevent]

Primary Care Payment Reform!

As the State continues to shift to value-based payment through the Accountable Care Collaborative, they are putting together a series of work groups to work through the details of primary care payment reform. They need the input of primary care practitioners to help fully operationalize payment reform and make a number of substantive operational decisions. They are inviting you to participate in these work groups to provide your insight and feedback. The State and primary care providers can work together to create value-based purchasing models that:

• provide for a long-term sustainable investment strategy in primary care
• reward performance
• create revenue streams to primary care providers that do not rely on volume and allow for greater flexibility in providing care to clients
• align with MACRA which will allow primary care providers to more easily hit value-based purchasing participation targets which will not just translate into more Medicaid dollars, but more Medicare dollars as well. 

There are several areas where they will need to partner with different types of experts in the community to flush out operational and policy detail to ensure the models they implement make sense from the ground level up. All workgroup activity will be shared publicly and will not be the exclusive forums for development and vetting of value-based purchasing models for primary care. A series of work group meetings covering different topics will follow the kick-off including: 

1.       Criteria

2.       Measurement

3.       Payment Design

4.       Designation

5.       CPC+ Track 2

6.       Attribution

Click here for more details on the workgroups and the kind of expertise needed. Dates and times for these meeting have not been determined yet but click here to sign up to receive more information about the workgroups!  You may also email Marla Stickley directly at marla.stickley@state.co.us if you would like to participate in the Primary Care Payment Workgroups.

ACC Phase II: RFP TA for Children's Advocacy – Webinar Invitation

Rose Community Foundation has contracted with a policy expert to help children’s advocacy organizations draft impactful comments in response to the draft RFP for ACC Phase II. This technical assistance will include a summary of the RFP, highlighting areas for potential advocacy; a webinar to discuss the RFP and organizations’ priorities; and suggestions for comment language.

Rose Community Foundation, together with the All Kids Covered coalition, would like to invite you to the webinar led by Kathryn Jantz of the Steadman Group. During the webinar, Kathryn will highlight opportunities in the RFP to promote child and family health and well-being; present possible responses to the RFP based on input and feedback of a small workgroup; and provide other guidance on crafting actionable comments to HCPF.

If you would like your organization’s priorities or comments to be included in the synthesized document, please email it to Kathryn at the email address below.  Additional details will be forthcoming.

Webinar TA Session on the ACC Phase II Draft RFP
Date: Monday, December 12
Time: 2:00 to 4:00 PM
RSVP: kathryn@steadmangroup.com

[Source: Rose Community Foundation]

Colorado Medical Home Community Forum: Supporting Integrated Care

Topics and Presenters:
Updates from the SIM Office
Barbara Martin, SIM Office Director

Stakeholder Input on the Accountable Care Collaborative Phase II RFP
Susan Mathieu, ACC Program Manager

Dec. 13, 2016 ~ 4:30 - 6:30 p.m.
Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment
4300 Cherry Creek Dr S ~ DOC Room, Building A
Denver, Colorado 80246
RSVP - Participants have the option to join in-person or via webinar.

[Source: Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment]

Important ACC Phase II Updates

Learn More About ACC Phase II

ACC Phase II Update Newsletter and Newsletter Sign-up

[Source:  HCPF]

Help Shape Colorado's HIT Roadmap

On behalf of the Governor's Office of Information Technology, we invite you to participate in an important survey to help define the direction for health care transformation in Colorado and how that transformation will be supported by health information technology.

Recently, the Colorado Health IT Roadmap project team held a series of workshops around the state to understand the wants and needs of individuals working with health information on a daily basis. Clinicians and team members, representatives of insurance firms, representatives of State agencies and departments, community-based organizations and individuals all participated.

Based on those workshops a list of objectives - areas on which to focus in the next 3-5 years - was developed.

The results of the survey will help to prioritize the objectives which the plan will support. Which objectives do you think are most important?

The survey should take less than 10 minutes to complete. It consists of three (3) questions; two about you and one about the objectives. At the end of the survey, you will have an opportunity to request additional information and/or a copy of the survey results.

The survey will remain open until 5:00pm MDT on Monday, November 21st.

To participate in the survey, please click on the link below:
www.surveymonkey.com/r/COCIVHC

[Source: CIVHC]

Primary Care Payment Reform!

As the State continues to shift to value-based payment through the Accountable Care Collaborative, they are putting together a series of work groups to work through the details of primary care payment reform. They need the input of primary care practitioners to help fully operationalize payment reform and make a number of substantive operational decisions. They are inviting you to participate in these work groups to provide your insight and feedback. The State and primary care providers can work together to create value-based purchasing models that:

• provide for a long-term sustainable investment strategy in primary care
• reward performance
• create revenue streams to primary care providers that do not rely on volume and allow for greater flexibility in providing care to clients
• align with MACRA which will allow primary care providers to more easily hit value-based purchasing participation targets which will not just translate into more Medicaid dollars, but more Medicare dollars as well. 

There are several areas where they will need to partner with different types of experts in the community to flush out operational and policy detail to ensure the models they implement make sense from the ground level up. All workgroup activity will be shared publicly and will not be the exclusive forums for development and vetting of value-based purchasing models for primary care. A series of work group meetings covering different topics will follow the kick-off including: 

1.       Criteria

2.       Measurement

3.       Payment Design

4.       Designation

5.       CPC+ Track 2

6.       Attribution

Click here for more details on the workgroups and the kind of expertise needed. Dates and times for these meeting have not been determined yet but click here to sign up to receive more information about the workgroups!  You may also email Marla Stickley directly at marla.stickley@state.co.us if you would like to participate in the Primary Care Payment Workgroups.

Donation of ClinicNET Furniture and Equipment

 As ClinicNET winds down it is our hope that the office furniture and equipment accummulated through the years can go to a good home where it's needed. Attached is a list of furniture with images and dimensions, and an equipment list.  It will be first come, first serve to our Affiliate Clinics and whatever is left will go to whoever is next on the list.  Please contact Anne at anne.taylor@clinicnet.org to submit your furniture and/or equipment request.  Everything must go by Nov 29, 2016. Thank you!

Furniture List

Equipment List

Amendment 72 Defeat

STATEMENT ABOUT AMENDMENT 72 DEFEAT: This is a major setback for Colorado in the fight against the number one cause of preventable death in our state. Amendment 72 would have reduced smoking, especially among children, and would have invested money in programs to support veterans and those most harmed by smoking. We are proud of our positive campaign that was supported by over 100 organizations and endorsed by Governor Hickenlooper and the state’s most influential newspapers. Philip Morris steamrolled this election with a $17 million advertising blitz that deceived voters about Amendment 72. Having been outspent 14 to 1 on advertising, we couldn’t overcome Philip Morris’ smear campaign. We will bring a tobacco tax back to Colorado voters and win on behalf of our children and our commitment to saving lives and reducing health care costs for everyone.

[Source: Yes on Amendment 72 Campaign]

Regional Health Connector Program Awards Contracts to Host Organizations

The Colorado Regional Health Connector (RHC) program is excited to announce that three new RHC Host Organizations have been selected to join 18 others across Colorado. The 21 Host Organizations will hire RHCs to serve regions that cover the entire state. Read More

Additional LOAN REPAYMENT for Safety Net Clinical SUPPORT STAFF for 2016!

CCHN was funded by the Kaiser Permanente Community Health Fund to administer a loan repayment program for clinical support professionals as part of the Preparing the Safety Net for the Future Health Care initiative.

Application Cycle:  October 17 - November 14, 2016

Who Can Apply:  Current clinical support staff who provide direct patient care.  Employees may work at ClinicNET clinics, Rural Health Centers and Federaly Qualified Health Centers in Colorado.

Key Criteria:  
-Employed with clinic for at least six months.
-Hold a certificate or degree from an accredited health profesional training institution.
-Educational debt was in good standing.
-Award ranges $6,000 - $10,000 depending on years of employment.

Click HERE for more loan repayment information.

[Source: CCHN]

ACC Phase II: Draft Request for Proposals Available Online

The Department of Health Care Policy and Financing (Department) has released the Accountable Care Collaborative Phase II draft request for proposals (RFP) for stakeholder comment.

The draft RFP is available at Colorado.gov/HCPF/ACCPhase2.

Phase II of the Accountable Care Collaborative seeks to leverage the proven successes of Health First Colorado's (Colorado Medicaid's program) programs to enhance the member and provider experience. The goals of the Accountable Care Collaborative Phase II are to improve health and life outcomes of members while using state resources wisely.

[Source: HCPF]

Additional LOAN REPAYMENT for Safety Net Clinical SUPPORT STAFF for 2016!

CCHN was funded by the Kaiser Permanente Community Health Fund to administer a loan repayment program for clinical support professionals as part of the Preparing the Safety Net for the Future Health Care initiative.

Application Cycle:  October 17 - November 14, 2016

Who Can Apply:  Current clinical support staff who provide direct patient care.  Employees may work at ClinicNET clinics, Rural Health Centers and Federaly Qualified Health Centers in Colorado.

Key Criteria:  
-Employed with clinic for at least six months.
-Hold a certificate or degree from an accredited health profesional training institution.
-Educational debt was in good standing.
-Award ranges $6,000 - $10,000 depending on years of employment.

Click HERE for more loan repayment information.

[Source: CCHN]

SIM: Health Innovation News

We've got data
SIM creates powerful partnerships
SIM weighs in on national initiatives
ACC Phase II request for proposals
Read those topics and more HERE

[Source: Colorado State Innovation Model]

Amendment 72 Support and Opposition in a Tie...Your Help Needed!

A new 9News poll released just this morning has Amendment 72 support and opposition in a tie, which means we need to push hard for every vote during these last few days. The opposition continues to distort the issue with millions of dollars of false advertising. We need to reach voters with the facts about Amendment 72: that raising the cigarette tax will reduce smoking, save lives and guarantee funding for veterans and Coloradans most harmed by smoking. The Yes on Amendment 72 Campaign urgently needs your help!

Here's where we need you most in the next few days:
TALK TO VOTERS
Take to the phones and help us speak to voters directly to get our message out. We have phone banks available every evening from now through the election, so sign up for a shift! Time and time again voters tell us that personal contact makes all the difference. Sign up to talk to voters in these last few important days.

SPREAD THE WORD
Get A Yard Sign
There are two locations for you to pick up a Yes on 72 yard sign: Denver South at the American Heart Association Offices at 1777 S. Harrison Street Suite #500 (M-F between 7:30 am and 3 pm) or Downtown Denver at 3001 Brighton Blvd. #103 in the Industry Building (M-F between 8 am and 5 pm). Contact Garrett to coordinate your sign pick up.

JOIN US ON SOCIAL MEDIA
One of the most important things we can be doing now is talking to our friends, family, colleagues, and neighbors about the importance of passing Amendment 72. Connect with us on social media to get information, graphics, endorsements, articles, and answers to all the questions you or people you know might have.

[Source:  Yes on Amendment 72 Campaign]

News Release: Health First Colorado's Accountable Care Collaborative Achieves Record Savings

The Department of Health Care Policy and Financing (Department) announced today that its Accountable Care Collaborative program saved the state more than $205 million in avoided medical costs during state fiscal year (FY) 2015-16. After accounting for administrative costs and incentive payments to primary care providers and regional care collaborative organizations for meeting performance goals, the program's net savings was nearly $62 million.

Read more...

[Source: HCPF]

ACC Phase 2 Draft RFP and Webinars

The Department looks forward to sharing the draft requests for proposals (RFP) for stakeholder review and feedback around the first week of November. The draft RFP will be posted on Colorado.gov/HCPF/ACCPhase2 and shared via this newsletter.

The Department will host webinars to kick off our draft RFP stakeholder engagement on November 9 & 10, 2016. We encourage all stakeholders to participate. We will also post a recorded version to Colorado.gov/HCPF/ACCPhase2 by November 14. 

The Department will host a series of meetings across the state beginning in mid-November. We encourage you to participate in the kick off webinars referenced above prior to attending a meeting. 

Click Here for more information on all ACC Phase 2 updates, webinars and meetings.

[Source: At A Glance]

MACRA and Payment Reform - CCHAP Practice Manager Meeting

Connecting the Dots: MACRA and Payment Reform -
The Impact on Pediatric Practices

Tuesday, November 15th; Noon - 1:00PM  (Lunch will be available starting at 11:30AM)

Children's Hospital Colorado
South Campus Highlands Ranch
1811 Plaza Drive, Highlands Ranch, CO 80129
Tennessee Conference Room - 1st Floor
ReadyTalk Web Conference for remote attendees

Instructions to join the meeting remotely:
1. Open a web browser and enter URL: www.readytalk.com
Enter participant access code: 2093166
2. Dial in by phone for the audio portion of the conference:
1-866-740-1260
Enter the participant access code: 2093166
Please click here to RSVP

[Source: CCHAP]

Behavioral Health Integration and Data Exchange White Paper

To help educate Community Health Clinics on how to exchange data, CORHIO partnered with the National Association of Community Health Centers (NACHC) on a new white paper: Behavioral Health Integration and Data Exchange: Privacy and Exchange Considerations for Community Health Centers.

[Source: CORHIO]

Go Live Postponement...Now What?

The new Go Live date for the Colorado interChange is March 1, 2017. The Department is exploring a Go Live date for the PBMS of February 25, 2017; however, this date has not been finalized. The Department will provide another update when the new Go Live date for the PBMS is confirmed.

The additional four months will allow providers more time to complete the enrollment and revalidation process, to receive comprehensive training, and prepare for associated changes in their business processes. The Department will conduct additional systems testing during this time as well. The Department has created this guide to help inform and prepare providers for this change. This document contains general guidelines for our providers and is not intended to provide comprehensive guidance for every situation.
Guide to Go-Live Postponement
Postponement FAQs

[Source: HCPF]

New Publication: Engaging Affected Populations in Health Equity: An Emerging Framework in Colorado

The Colorado Trust is pleased to share its latest evaluation report, Engaging Affected Populations in Health Equity: An Emerging Framework in Colorado. The report summarizes key lessons learned from the Health Equity Advocacy Strategy (HEAS), a multi-phase, multi-year effort aimed at building a strong, effective field of health equity advocates statewide. It was written by Rachel Estrella, PhD and Traci Endo Inouye of Social Policy Research Associates, the research and evaluation firm for the HEAS.

[Source: The Colorado Trust]

PEAKView November 2016

Monthly PEAK Training Tips - Web Conference
Each month, we cover a different PEAK topic, and participants will have the opportunity to engage in Q & A and share best practices.

Topic: Open forum Q & A
Wednesday, November 2 | 9:00 am - 9:30 am | Click to RegisterAdditionally, we want to hear from you! Please click here to submit a topic for an upcoming PEAK Training Tips session.

Community Partner Support Call

CBMS/PEAK support calls - every Thursday from 3:00pm - 3:30pm throughout open enrollment. 

Information regarding fixes, calls and call-in information are posted on our website: PEAKOutreach.com

[Source: PeakView]

Affiliate Clinics - Please Join Us! ClinicNET Leadership Cohort Final Gathering

As we recently announced, ClinicNET will be dissolving at the end of November. For the past 10 years we have been the voice of Community Safety Net Clinics (CSNCs) across Colorado and you may be wondering how that void will be filled.

To learn more, we strongly encourage ClinicNET affiliates to join us for a final gathering of clinic leaders.
When:  Thursday, Nov. 10, noon to 5 pm (lunch will be served) reception immediately following 
Where: 3840 York Street, Suite 100, Denver

We will spend time discussing the following questions:

• How will you and the other CSNCs continue to have a collective voice at the Capitol?
• How will you continue to address policy-related issues affecting our clinic and patients?
• How will you continue to identify new ways to reduce costs, improve clinical outcomes and increase patient satisfaction?
• How will you continue networking and collaborating with other CSNCs around the state?

These questions and more will be answered, with your input, at our final gathering.  We hope to see you (or another senior level representative from your organization) there! Don't miss this opportunity to share your ideas about how you and the CSNCs will move forward without ClinicNET. If you have not done so already, RSVP today to brooke.powers@clinicnet.org or 720-863-7803.

Sealants Provided in School Settings are Effective

Research shows dental sealants to shield the back teeth could prevent up to 80 percent of cavities in school-aged children. They are quick, easy, and painless to apply – yet according to a new CDC Vital Signs, about 60 percent of school children ages 6-11 years don’t get dental sealants.

Dental sealants are a thin coating that is painted on teeth to protect them from cavities. One way to provide sealants to more children is by increasing their access to school-based sealant programs (SBSPs).

SBSPs are especially important for children from low-income families because such children are less likely to receive dental care. These programs target schools with a high percentage of children eligible for free or reduced-cost meal programs. As a result, SBSPs provide sealants to children who are at higher risk for cavities and less likely to receive preventive care.

Sealants provided in school settings are effective. Recent studies found that dental sealants prevent 80 percent of cavities for two years after application and continue to protect against 50 percent of cavities for up to 4 years after placement. They can be retained in the mouth for as long as nine years.

To learn more, go to CDC Vital Signs.

[Source:  CDPHE Child and School Oral Health]

ClinicNET Affiliates: no changes to LabCorp GPO!

Thanks to the Colorado Community Health Network, ClinicNET affiliate clinics that are currently participating in their LabCorp GPO will continue with no changes! Your new contact going forward is: Johanna Gelderman, Quality Initiatives Coordinator, CCHN, 303-867-9528; johanna@cchn.org

Amendment 72...Where Will the Money Go?

We wanted to make sure you knew why ClinicNET -- along with more than 100 community, public health, hospitals and veteran organizations -- is endorsing Amendment 72.

By raising the tax on a pack of cigarettes by $1.75 we will drive youth smoking down by 20% and prevent 34,800 youth from starting to smoke.

Contrary to ads funded by Big Tobacco, all of the money raised from Amendment 72 is guaranteed to benefit those most impacted by smoking, and safeguarded so it can't be hijacked for political pet projects or by lobbying from big tobacco.

click HERE to read more

News from CORHIO

Click HERE and READ ABOUT

• Information on Public Health measures
• Details on Specialized Registries and EHRs
• Resources

[Source: CORHIO]

Attention Health First Colorado (Colorado's Medicaid Program) Providers

Weren't able to attend the new Web Portal training sessions?
Don't worry, recorded sessions will be available beginning November 14, 2016. These recordings were originally scheduled to be available October 24, 2016. We apologize for any inconvenience.

Accessing the Recordings
-Access the recordings (on or after November 14, 2016) at:  http://lms.xco.dcs-usps.com/
-Login with user name and password.   If you do not have an account, click "register here" and fill out the form.  Use group code PROV

Course Descriptions
Provider Portal 101:  Accessing the Portal, Provider Registration, Logging in, Basic Navigation, Editing a Profile, Adding Delegates, Changing Provider Enrollment Information, EFT/ERA Enrollment, Disenrolling
Provider Portal 102:  Searching for Member Information, Eligibility Information, Portal Communications, Uploading/Downloading Files, Reviewing Resources
Provider Portal 103:  Searching/Reviewing Payment History, Accounts Receivable Records, Making a Payment, Care Management-Authorizations, Searching/Submitting Claims, Searching Payment History
Bridge Training:  Only Case Management Agencies should take Bridge training (SEPs, CCBs, Case Managers)

Live Webinar Sessions
Live webinar sessions were held the first and second week in October 2016.
Additional live webinar sessions will be available starting  mid-January 2017.

[Source:  Health First Colorado (Colorado's Medicaid Program) Provider Enrollment]

Susan G. Komen Application Process Webinar FAQs

An informational Webinar about the Letter of Intent to apply & overall application process for funding from Susan G. Komen Colorado was held on 10/13/2016. That Webinar and application resources have now been posted to the organization’s Web site at:
http://www.komencolorado.org/grants-program/how-to-apply
2017 Community Grant Information tab, under Optional Informational Webinars

Komen Colorado has updated the “Miscellaneous Resources” section of this page for grant applicants to provide links to commonly requested breast cancer data, demographic information about Colorado, and data about cancer trends in the state.

A Microsoft version/PDF of the LOI questions was requested. Please find the full PDF call for LOIs and the LOI form only attached here.

[Source: Susan G. Komen Colorado]

Open Enrollment Information Handout for Clients

The Department has created an information sheet for providers to hand out to clients that explains a little about Open Enrollment and the benefits of being insured. The information sheet has been uploaded onto the Provider Information page on our website. We will briefly discuss this handout at the next Stakeholder Forum on October 27, 2016, but providers are encouraged to begin distributing this information to clients immediately, as Open Enrollment will begin on November 1, 2016.

[Source: HCPF]

News from Colorado Covering Kids and Families (CKF)

Children of Parents and Caretaker Relatives Need to Have MEC

Effective October 1, 2016, the Colorado Department of Health Care Policy and Financing (HCPF) began implementing a federal requirement that certain parents and caretaker relatives living with a dependent child under the age of 19 must attest that the child has minimum essential coverage (MEC) or enroll the child in MEC in order to qualify for the Health First Colorado (Colorado’s Medicaid Program) Modified Adjusted Gross Income (MAGI) Adult category.  MEC FAQs

Annualized Income Policy Change 

HCPF issued a FAQs document on the policy change that was implemented July 1, 2016, which allows income for self-employment, commission-based employment, and/or seasonal employment to be annualized under certain circumstances.

CMS Initiatives to Reach Young Adults During OE4

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) announced several new initiatives to reach young adults during the fourth open enrollment period (OE4). These initiatives include using the social video platform Twitch, a targeted and coordinated social media outreach campaign using the hashtag #HealthyAdulting, collaboration with the Department of Defense, an effort to increase marketplace awareness for young adults turning 19 who are enrolled in Medicaid or Children’s Health Insurance Programs, and outreach with the IRS to people who paid the individual responsibility penalty or claimed an exemption. Read the CMS announcement here.

[Source:  Colorado Covering Kids and Families]

New Tool to Help Coloradans Choose Health Care

Shoppers on Colorado’s health insurance marketplace will have a new tool that will help them find the most cost-effective coverage when they begin shopping next week for coverage in 2017.

Connect for Health Colorado® and the Center for Improving Value in Health Care (CIVHC) partnered to develop the Quick Cost and Plan Finder Tool that will enable consumers to see:

• Whether they may qualify for financial assistance to lower their monthly premiums and other costs, such as copays and deductibles.
• An estimate of annual out-of-pocket costs, based on their expected health care usage. 
• Plans that include their preferred doctors, facilities and/or medications.

Click HERE for more information and resources

[Source: CIVHC]

Family Leadership Training Institute Accepting Applications for 2017

The Family Leadership Training Institute is a 20-week program that integrates personal and child development, leadership training, civic literacy and civic participation. The program increases your ability to work with and understand diverse perspectives and helps you to be the change you seek. Youth (11-15) attend with a parent or other adult.

Apply by Jan. 8; interviews start in October. Full scholarships are offered to the 17 youth and 28 adults who are accepted. The program is held at Manual High School on Thursday evenings and three Saturdays. Contact Benzel.Jimmerson@denvergov.org, 720-913-5274, for more information. Sponsored by the City and County of Denver, Colorado State University Extension, Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment

[Source: COPrevent]

Please Join Us! ClinicNET Leadership Cohort Final Gathering

As we recently announced, ClinicNET will be dissolving at the end of November.  For the past 10 years, we have been the voice of Community Safety Net Clinics (CSNCs) across Colorado and you may be wondering how that void will be filled.

To learn more, we strongly encourage you to join us for a final gathering of ClinicNET leaders.
When:  Thursday, Nov. 10, noon to 5 p.m. (lunch will be served)
Where: 3840 York Street, Suite 100, Denver

We will spend time discussing the following questions:

• How will you and the other CSNCs continue to have a collective voice at the Capitol?
• How will you continue to address policy-related issues affecting our clinic and patients?
• How will you continue to identify new ways to reduce costs, improve clinical outcomes and increase patient satisfaction?
• How will you continue networking and collaborating with other CSNCs around the state?

These questions and more will be answered, with your input, at our final gathering.  We hope to see you (or another senior level representative from your organization) there!

Don't miss this opportunity to share your ideas about how you and the CSNCs will move forward without ClinicNET.

RSVP today to brooke.powers@clinicnet.org or 720-863-7803.

Health First Colorado Go Live Postponement

The Department made the decision to postpone the Go Live date of the Colorado interChange, the new Provider Web Portal and the new Pharmacy Benefits Management System to March 1, 2017.

The additional four months will allow providers more time to complete the enrollment and revalidation process, to receive comprehensive training and prepare for associated changes in their business processes. The Department will conduct additional systems testing during this time.

For more information about the new Go Live date:

Watch this recorded webinar

Postponement FAQs

[Source: HCPF]

Additional LOAN REPAYMENT for Safety Net Clinical SUPPORT STAFF for 2016!

CCHN was funded by the Kaiser Permanente Community Health Fund to administer a loan repayment program for clinical support professionals as part of the Preparing the Safety Net for the Future Health Care initiative.

Application Cycle:  October 17 - November 14, 2016

Who Can Apply:  Current clinical support staff who provide direct patient care.  Employees may work at ClinicNET clinics, Rural Health Centers and Federaly Qualified Health Centers in Colorado.

Key Criteria:  
-Employed with clinic for at least six months.
-Hold a certificate or degree from an accredited health profesional training institution.
-Educational debt was in good standing.
-Award ranges $6,000 - $10,000 depending on years of employment.

Click HERE for more loan repayment information.

[Source: CCHN]

News from COPrevent

Healthy Places for Healthy People

Deadline:  Nov. 6, 2016

Healthy Places for Healthy People helps communities create walkable, healthy, economically vibrant places by engaging with their health care facility partners such as community health centers (including Federally Qualified Health Centers), nonprofit hospitals, and other health care facilities. The pilot phase of this program is sponsored by EPA and the Appalachian Regional Commission.

Click HERE for RFP

Population Health Scholarship Program
There is increasing support for solving some of today’s most complex health challenges at the community level. As such, communities are becoming laboratories for innovation—for testing interventions that recognize a community’s assets and unique needs. Recognizing the importance of community health leaders in mobilizing change, AcademyHealth is pleased to offer the Population Health Scholarship Program, funded by The Kresge Foundation. This scholarship will provide ten individuals with stipends to attend a policy bootcamp in conjunction with the 2017 AcademyHealth National Health Policy Conference.
Apply now! For more information visit the AcademyHealth website

[Source:  COPrevent]

Yes on 72!

Big Tobacco -- not an industry known for sticking to the truth under pressure -- is spending $10 million dollars to mislead voters about Amendment 72. We want to give you the tools to answer questions you might be getting from family and friends about why they should vote YES on Amendment 72.

Click on the image or links to learn more and share this important information!

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Q: WHY SHOULD WE RAISE TAXES ON CIGARETTES?

If there's one thing that the Centers for Disease Control, the Surgeon General, and Phillip Morris agree on, it's this: raising the price of cigarettes is the best way to get people to stop smoking, and to stop kids from starting. 

Based on studies of tobacco tax increases all over the country, Amendment 72 is predicted to prevent more than 34,000 kids from becoming smokers, save over 20,000 lives and save over $1.4 billion in future health care costs.

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Q: WHERE WILL THE MONEY GO?

Contrary to ads being funding by tobacco companies, all of the money raised by Amendment 72 is dedicated to programs that will directly benefit those most impacted by smoking. From programs to help people quit to medical research on smoking-related diseases like lung cancer; from veterans health services to medical improvements for clinics treating underserved Coloradans, all of the money raised by the tax is accounted for and targeted where it can do the most good for those most affected by smoking.

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Q: WHAT ABOUT E-CIGARETTES AND MARIJUANA? WHY NOT TAX JUNK FOOD AND ALCOHOL?

Here's the thing: Colorado's "Single Subject Rule" says that a bill can only focused on one topic. The Yes on 72 coalition chose to focus on the primary problem: smoking, which kills more people in Colorado every year than alcohol, AIDS, car accidents, illegal drugs, murders, and suicides combined. 

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Q: WON’T THIS TAX INCREASE JUST CAUSE A RISE IN SMUGGLING AND ILLICIT CIGARETTE TRADE?

The tobacco industry has pushed scare tactics like this for decades, and numerous studies have called these predictions exaggerated. In fact, there has only been a single case of cigarette smuggling in Colorado since the tobacco tax was last raised in 2004.Cigarette tax increases are proven to work and that’s why tobacco companies fight them.



Meanwhile, Colorado is falling behind: we currently rank 38th in the nation for cigarette taxes. Passing Amendment 72 will allow us to fund smoking cessation and prevention programs at the level recommended by the CDC for the first time in decades.

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Q: WHY IS THIS BEING PUT IN THE CONSTITUTION?

To protect these funds for the programs voters intend, we need to put the cigarette tax in the Constitution where it's safe from politics and lobbying from big tobacco. In fact, tobacco taxes have been in the Colorado Constitution since 2004, and have helped thousands of smokers to quit. Amendment 72 makes the existing (but outdated) tax more effective at deterring smoking by raising the rate. It will also provide funding to programs which help smokers quit and take care of their long term health needs. The best way to ensure those funds are protected is to put them somewhere they're off limits to short-sighted political decisions.

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