Colorado PEAK Updates

“January PEAK Updates: click here for a summary of the enhancements to PEAK this month. In addition to the enhancements, below is a summary of the issues that were resolved this month.

Community Partner Support Call: Support calls are scheduled to follow PEAK updates to discuss system performance and known issues. The next support call is Thursday, February 25th, 3:00 - 3:45 pm, phone: 877-820-7831, access code: 349141#.

2016 PEAK User Guides: We have been busy creating new training resources for 2016, and are in the midst of finalizing current PEAK user guides. The following new user guides are available: Application Status, Account Password-When Forgotten, and Account Password-Change Existing.” [Source: PEAK Colorado]

Loan Repayment Opportunity for ClinicNET Safety Net Clinics - applications due Jan. 31!

The application cycle for the Kaiser Permanente Education Loan Repayment for Safety Net Clinical Support Staff program is open January 1-January 31, 2016.

PLEASE SHARE THIS OPPORTUNITY WITH ALL CLINICAL SUPPORT STAFF! Forward email or print flyer and make it available to staff.

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

For questions, please contact Margaret Davidson at 303-867-9514 or at MDavidson@cchn.org or contact Angela Rose at 303-867-9511 or at Angela@cchn.org.

Accountable Health Communities (AHC) Model – applications due March 31

“The Accountable Health Communities Model is currently accepting applications through March 31, 2016. The Model addresses a critical gap between clinical care and community services in the current health care delivery system by testing a systematic approach to identifying and addressing health-related social needs of Medicare & Medicaid beneficiaries. The Model awards cooperative agreements to organizations chosen to participate in the model test. Visit the website to access the Letter of Intent and Request for Applications - or email accountablehealthcommunities@cms.hhs.gov.” [Source: CMS]

The Colorado Health Foundation: Healthy Living and Health Coverage Advocacy Funding Available

“The Colorado Health Foundation is dedicated to making Colorado the healthiest state in the nation. We understand that many policy changes are necessary at the school, neighborhood, city and state level to achieve our goal. We also believe that in order to create lasting and positive change, Coloradan's voices should be represented in the health policy decisions that affect them.

Healthy Living (new)

• Leadership Development: Designed to cultivate and support passionate advocates for healthy living policies.
• Organizational Capacity Building: Supports organizations working to advance or preserve policies that create social, physical, and economic environments that promote health.
• Long-Term Policy Initiatives: Advances or preserves policies that create social, physical, and economic environments that promote health.

Health Coverage & Healthy Living (new)

• Rapid Response: Funding for short-term initiatives (three to nine months in length) focused on one or more policy priorities related to Health Coverage or Healthy Living.

Health Coverage (in progress)

• Consumer Advocacy: Ensuring public policy adequately addresses Colorado consumers’ need for a health insurance system that is stable, affordable and adequate.” [Source: TCHF]

Free dental care on Give Kids a Smile Day, Feb. 5!

"Dentists across Colorado have registered for Give a Kids a Smile Day (February 5) to provide free dental attention to children who are without dental insurance and from low-income families. There are appointments available in facilities in Aurora, Castle Rock, Commerce City, Denver, Louisville, and Westminster. Click here for more information and to schedule an appointment." [Source: Colorado Dental Association]

Spanish Language workshop for Health Care Professionals

“This four-day intensive Spanish workshop course (April 22-25), consists of conversational and medical dialogues, role-plays, visual aids, cross-cultural discussions, “edutainment”, and daily practice. The curriculum provides immersion learning, an approach that has proven to be extremely suitable for those with limited time, and who must use their new language skills immediately with their Spanish-speaking patients. Three skill levels will be offered, with separate classes for each level. Click here for more information and to register.” [Source: CHAMPS]

Upcoming Patient Navigator Trainings

“Level 1: In February, Level 1 will be offered in both Pueblo and Denver.  In March, we’ll take Level 1 north to Fort Collins. In the spring, Level 1’s will be offered in Colorado Springs, on the Western Slope and in metro Denver. Dates and exact locations are TBD – stay tuned!

Level 2: Advanced Health Behavior Change will be offered in in February and April (the January course is already full, but a waitlist is available). Advanced Care Coordination will also be offered in February.

Online: For those looking for an online course, the next installment of Emotional and Social Aspects of Disease (a Level 2 course) kicks off on May 8. This is an instructor-led course with weekly required participation. More info here. You can enrich your knowledge at any time with our free, self-paced eLearning courses. Topics include preventive healthcare, introduction to chronic disease, and clinical trials and patient navigation.

We are constantly adding new training opportunities. Our News, Facebook and Twitter pages are a great way to stay updated when courses are added.  The Events Calendar lists our most current schedule. If a course is not listed, a date has not been set and we will not be able to answer questions about upcoming course dates.” [Source: Patient Navigator Training Collaborative]

Enrollment Resources

CMS Assister Best Practices Toolkit Now Available: The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) released the first in a series of assister promising practices, and experiences from assisters nationwide who are developing effective ways to provide outreach, education, and application and enrollment assistance every day.

New Videos Help Explain Health Insurance:

• Springboard for the Arts created Meet Jack: An Intro to Health Insurance Terminology to teach individuals about common health insurance terms such as provider networks, co-pays, and deductibles.
• Kaiser Family Foundation released three new videos in their YouToons series about understanding health insurance. These videos were produced to help consumers break down certain health insurance concepts, including premiums, out-of-pocket costs, and provider networks.
• Cover Missouri produced Helping Consumers Understand the Importance of Preventive Care. This video explains preventive care and types of preventive services covered by marketplace coverage. According to PerryUndem research, preventive care is among the top three reasons individuals signed up for health insurance.

Enroll America Latino Engagement Toolkit Now Available: Enroll America developed a Latino Engagement Toolkit. Materials include information on cultural competency, engaging the Latino population in their preferred language, messaging, outreaching to Latinas, young Latinos, and Latino laborers, engaging the Latino faith community, and outreaching to mixed immigration status families. It also includes a FAQs document and a glossary for the Latino community.

Senior Dental Advisory Committee meeting Feb. 2

“The Senior Dental Advisory Committee (DAC) for the Dental Health Care Program for Low-Income Seniors (Senior Dental Program) will be convening February 2, 2016 from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. The main agenda item for this meeting is in regards to the Senior Dental Program grantees having the option to use immediate dentures, D5130, D5140, D5820, or D5821 INSTEAD of D5110, D5120, D5211, and D5212.

Call in option: click here and it will take you to the Department’s webpage for DAC, click on 2016 meetings and it will have a link that you can click to listen to the DAC meeting live. Please note that this is to listen only, if you would like to make a comment or voice a concern to the DAC you will have to be there in person.

Please note, the DAC meeting will not be taking place in the same building as it has in the past. The meeting location will be: 303 East 17th Avenue, Conference Room 11b, Denver, CO 80203.” [Source: HCPF]

CHP+ Dental Outreach Materials Now Available

"Delta Dental of Colorado administers CHP+ dental benefits. Children covered under CHP+ have $1,000 of allowable benefits per calendar year (Jan. 1 – Dec. 31). There are no out-of-pocket costs or co-payments for dental exams, cleanings, or sealants, but they do count against the annual benefit maximum. Unfortunately, many parents are not aware of the CHP+ dental benefits, and as a result, many benefits go unused each year. Delta Dental created a new flyer, as well as a comprehensive oral health and wellness resource library, to help educate parents about the availability of CHP+ dental benefits.

Delta Dental also offers a special fund up to $1,000 for CHP+ members who reach their annual benefit maximum. These funds are available to the practicing dentist through an application and treatment plan process. For more information, contact Monica Woods at (303) 889-8607 or mwoods@ddpco.com."

Connect for Health Colorado Updates

• “We presented our annual report to the Joint Health and Human Services Committee of the state Legislature on Thursday. The calendar year report comes in the middle of our open enrollment period so we plan another next month that will capture all of this open enrollment period. In the meantime, you might want to see how we fared in 2015. All our annual reports are available online.
• Enrollment in health plans for 2016 went past 139,000 by January 15 and dental plan enrollments exceeded 23,000. Those totals are well above where we were on the same date last year and we put the information out in press releases this week.
• We are about to mail thousands of Form 1095-As to our customers to assist them with their taxes. The form is needed to verify coverage and to reconcile tax credits for customers who got them. What’s new this year is households with a member on Medicaid or CHP+ will get Form 1095-B. So will those covered by Medicare,Tricare or any other public program other than Connect for Health Colorado. Those with employer-sponsored coverage will get Form 1095-C. Many households, depending on their coverage, will receive multiple forms. Advise them to keep all of them. Our customers will be mailed forms by January 31 and electronic copies will be available in the My Documents portion of their online accounts.” [Source: Connect for Health Colorado]

REGISTER TODAY: ClinicNET's Dental Lifeline Network Webinar Jan. 26, noon-1pm

ClinicNET is hosting a webinar on January 26th, noon-1pm, featuring Jenifer Koberstein, VP of Program Services, at Dental Lifeline Network. She will be discussing two programs in Colorado:

• Donated Dental Services (DDS) program: dentists provide free, comprehensive dental treatment to people of all ages who are permanently disabled, elderly or medically fragile and lack adequate income to pay for needed dental care.
• Dental HouseCalls: brings care to people who cannot easily travel to dentist’s offices, including residents of nursing homes, homebound individuals and people with developmental disabilities.

Join us on your lunch break to learn more about these programs, how you can participate and engage in a discussion about oral health needs in Colorado. *Both primary care and oral health clinics can benefit from a relationship with Dental Lifeline Network. Click here to register!

Please contact JoJo Gelderman at johanna.gelderman@clinicnet.org with any questions.

ClinicNET's 2016 Legislative and Policy Priorities

ClinicNET offers a centralized voice to advocate for legislation and policies that strengthen the health care safety net and recognizes that diversity in care delivery models enables optimal health care outcomes in each community. Furthermore, ClinicNET advocates for expanded access to and the provision of high quality care for low income, newly insured, uninsured and underinsured Coloradans on behalf of Community Safety Net Clinics (CSNC). Our 2016 Legislative and Policy Priorities include:

• Access to Care and Coverage: We support strategies to increase health care access to timely, affordable, high quality care for both the insured and the uninsured.
• Protect Funding for Health Care Safety Net Providers: We support policies and programs to protect funding and to minimize budget cuts or funds transfers that would impact Colorado’s CSNCs.
• Workforce and Health Information Technology: We support efforts to ensure access to high quality health care through workforce development and technology.
• Health Equity, Chronic Disease Prevention and Population Health Management: We support policies to effectively prevent the occurrence of chronic conditions and manage population health.
• Delivery System Redesign and Payment Reform: We support changes to the health system designed to reach the “triple aim”: improve population health; lower costs; and improve quality.

Click here to view ClinicNET’s 2016 Bill Tracker for information on bills we are monitoring (official positions on bills will be updated upon final approval by the ClinicNET Board of Directors). If you have any questions or concerns please contact our Program and Policy Manager, Brooke Powers at brooke.powers@clinicnet.org

Loan Repayment Opportunity for ClinicNET Safety Net Clinics - applications due Jan. 31!

The application cycle for the Kaiser Permanente Education Loan Repayment for Safety Net Clinical Support Staff program is open January 1-January 31, 2016.

PLEASE SHARE THIS OPPORTUNITY WITH ALL CLINICAL SUPPORT STAFF! Forward email or print flyer and make it available to staff.

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

For questions, please contact Margaret Davidson at 303-867-9514 or at MDavidson@cchn.org or contact Angela Rose at 303-867-9511 or at Angela@cchn.org.

Behavioral Health & Wellness Program 2016 Build a Clinic Program: Request for Applications

“The Behavioral Health & Wellness Program and its partners, the Department of Family Medicine at the University of Colorado School of Medicine and ECHO Colorado, are pleased to release this Request for Applications to join the 2016 Build a Clinic Learning Community. For inclusion consideration, complete online application by February 18th.

The Build a Clinic program is a comprehensive curriculum designed to provide primary care practices with all the skills and knowledge they need to evaluate and redesign current workflows to incorporate or augment tobacco cessation services and supports. During the six month program, participating practices will enjoy exclusive access to six live, collaborative learning sessions with nationally recognized subject matter experts in the areas of tobacco cessation and workflow redesign and three personalized one-on-one technical assistance sessions.” [Source: Behavioral Health & Wellness Program]

Commonwealth Fund's State Scorecard, CO ranked 8th

The 2015 edition of the Commonwealth Fund’s Scorecard on State Health System Performance measures changes in performance during 2013 and 2014 to assess the effects of the ACA’s 2014 health insurance expansions, as well as early effects of health care delivery and payment reforms like accountable care organizations and financial incentives to reduce hospital readmissions. The effects of the ACA are not yet fully reflected in the 2015 Scorecard results. It may take many years to see the resulting changes. Colorado ranked 8th overall. Click here to check out Colorado’s state profile. [Source: Commonwealth Fund]

Accountable Care Collaborative Phase II Update

“The Department is currently reviewing the Accountable Care Collaborative (ACC) Phase II procurement timeline. It is the Department's priority to look at the timeline and revise it, if needed. We have been aware that our original proposed timeline was aggressive given the need for robust stakeholder feedback and discussions with the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). We have received significant feedback from our partners and want to ensure our steps forward reflect the needs of the Department, our members, the physical and behavioral health provider community, county and community partners and other stakeholders. While evaluating the Phase II procurement timeline, we are also:

• Identifying dependencies,
• Consulting with CMS on the appropriate authority and waivers required to implement the program
• Consulting with the behavioral health community on how best to collaborate,
• Continuing to strengthen our primary care provider engagement, and
• Working with national policy experts

The Department is committed to having a fair, open and transparent process that complies with state procurement rules. When considering organizational requirements and guidelines for submitting proposals for the new Regional Accountable Entities, the Department needs to take into consideration:

• Potential levels of risks associated with different types of organization types (i.e. national organizations, community organizations), and
• Key program principles such as a regional design with some local controls and community approach. [Source: HCPF]

SAMHSA Substance Abuse Prevention Skills Trainings

“The following dates and locations have been finalized for the SAMHSA Substance Abuse Prevention Skills Training (SAPST) FY15-16 schedule. These trainings are FREE and open to anyone wanting to learn about primary substance abuse prevention. This is a 3 day in person training from 9am to 5pm with online coursework to be completed prior to the 3 day training. Registration and additional information will be sent out as we get closer to the Denver, Gunnison, and Boulder training. Click here for more information.

• February 9-11, 2016 - Durango
• April 26-28, 2016 - Denver
• May 10-12, 2016 - Gunnison
• June 14-16, 2016 – Boulder” [Source: COPrevent]

CMS Coding and Clinical Documentation Resources

“As with ICD-9, CMS offers ample resources to assist both coders and clinicians with coding and clinical documentation for ICD-10. Below are links to specific resources CHCs may find helpful.

• Official Government Coding Guidelines: Diagnosis Coding
• Official Government Coding Guidelines: Inpatient Procedure Coding
• Click here to access additional coding and clinical documentation resources.” [Source: CMS]

AHIMA’s Physician Coding Toolkit

“This provider practice coding toolkit was developed in response to the unique challenges a HIM professional faces daily in a provider practice clinic environment, specifically in coding. The toolkit provides multiple resources and tools including coding guidelines, EHR documentation enhancements, and provider coding workflows. Cost: $99.95. Click here to purchase.” [Source: AHIMA]

Meaningful Use in 2015 and Beyond: Changes to Stage 2 – CORHIO’s recorded webinar

Jennifer Boaz, CORHIO Transformation Support Services Manager, details the final published Meaningful Use rule, including changes for stage 2 of the program in this recorded webinar. Visit CORHIO’s website for more resources on Meaningful Use. [Source: CORHIO]

ClinicNET's Dental Lifeline Network Webinar Jan. 26, noon-1pm

ClinicNET is hosting a webinar on January 26th, noon-1pm, featuring Jenifer Koberstein, VP of Program Services, at Dental Lifeline Network. She will be discussing two programs in Colorado:

• Donated Dental Services (DDS) program: dentists provide free, comprehensive dental treatment to people of all ages who are permanently disabled, elderly or medically fragile and lack adequate income to pay for needed dental care.
• Dental HouseCalls: brings care to people who cannot easily travel to dentist’s offices, including residents of nursing homes, homebound individuals and people with developmental disabilities.

Join us on your lunch break to learn more about these programs, how you can participate and engage in a discussion about oral health needs in Colorado. *Both primary care and oral health clinics can benefit from a relationship with Dental Lifeline Network. Click here to register!

Please contact JoJo Gelderman at johanna.gelderman@clinicnet.org with any questions.

ClinicNET Conversations: Jan. blog post by ClinicNET ED, Sharon Adams

Check out Sharon’s latest ClinicNET Conversations blog post, “A Time to Dwell in Possibility.”

“Whew… the first full week of 2016 [has drawn to a close]! All week I’ve been hearing expressions of “hitting the ground running,” which has certainly been the reality for us. While we are all grateful to have enjoyed the holidays that hopefully served to renew our energy and focus; we are already face-to-face with how much there is to accomplish this new year.” Continue reading…

Loan Repayment Opportunity for ClinicNET Safety Net Clinics!

The application cycle for the Kaiser Permanente Education Loan Repayment for Safety Net Clinical Support Staff program is open January 1-January 31, 2016.

PLEASE SHARE THIS OPPORTUNITY WITH ALL CLINICAL SUPPORT STAFF! Forward email or print flyer and make it available to staff.

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

For questions, please contact Margaret Davidson at 303-867-9514 or at MDavidson@cchn.org or contact Angela Rose at 303-867-9511 or at Angela@cchn.org.

Institute for Healthcare Improvement (IHI) offerings for ClinicNET affiliates

Through a generous grant from Kaiser Permanente's Community Benefit Program, ClinicNET is pleased to be able to offer to contributing ClinicNET affiliates access to Institute for Healthcare Improvement (IHI) registration scholarships and travel support funding! Below are upcoming 2016 in-person  and web-based training opporunities.

Web-based Trainings

• Expedition: Implementing a Population-Based Approach to Prevent Injuries from Falls – Beings January 20, 2016
• Leading Quality Improvement: Essentials for Managers - ​​​​Begins January 26, 2016
• Expedition: Improving Care Transitions to Reduce Readmissions - Begins February 4th, 2016
• Expedition: Kick-Start the Triple Aim - Begins February 24th, 2016
• Expedition: Improving Communication to Enhance Cultural Competency - Begins March 10, 2016
• Reliably Reducing Sepsis Mortality – Begins March 16, 2016

In-person Trainings & Conferences

• Advanced Measurement for Improvement - February 4-5, 2016 - San Diego, CA
• 2016 IHI Change Conference: Lead Well at Every Turn – March 10-11, 2016 – Dallas, TX
• 17th Annual Summit on Improving Patient Care in the Office Practice and Community – March 20-22, 2016 – Orlando, FL

IHI Open School: offers online courses in quality improvement, patient safety, and leadership. Earn a Certificate of Completion or Continuing Education Credits.

Interested in participating in a training or IHI Open School? Contact Brooke Powers at brooke.powers@clinicnet.org or 720-863-7803 asap!  [Source:IHI]

    

Denver-Metro Provider Survey – University of Colorado Health Community Health Needs Assessment

“Please take a moment to provide your perspective on the health of our Denver metro communities. As you may know, non-profit hospitals have a process in which they assess their ability to improve the health of their local community; it is known as the Community Health Needs Assessment.

Your completion of the following health issue ranking tool will assist University of Colorado Health in its 2016 Assessment and Implementation Plan. Results will be used to prioritize health issues most prevalent in your community.  Your opinions are vital and will be treated with the strictest confidentiality. Click here to take survey: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/2015_CHNA_Provider” [Source: University of Colorado Hospital]

Vital Clinical Documentation for Providers and Coders

“Provider documentation is at the core of effective and safe patient care. Yet coding, a key component of documentation, continues to be challenging for both providers and coders. CCHN created a training that includes an accessible web-based curriculum offering a step-by-step trailing module where participants will learn everything they need to know about: coding patient histories, physical exams and medical decision-making. The curriculum includes real life examples, and participants will see that it's not the quantity of documentation that matters--it's the quality. Cost: $100. Click here for more information and to register.” [Source: CCHN]

University of Colorado’s Motivational Interviewing Trainings

“Introduction to Motivational Interviewing: This in-person training will help participants develop and practice motivational interviewing techniques to support client health behavior changes. Feb. 26, 2016 at Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO. Cost $200 (before Feb. 1, 2016). Click here to register.

 Advanced Motivational Interviewing: Master advanced techniques through practice exercises and experiential learning, to support client health behavior changes. March 18, 2016 at Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO. Cost is $225. Click here to register.” [Source: University of Colorado]

Connect for Health Colorado Updates

• “Our enrollment was at 132,263 when the clock struck midnight and 2015 came to an end, which is a 16% increase from last year. We reported our numbers along with Medicaid enrollments in a press release Tuesday.
• We are redoubling efforts to enroll 2015 members of the Colorado HealthOP, as more than half of them have not yet made a 2016 plan selection. They have a special enrollment period running through February 29. So do members of Access Health Colorado and some members of Rocky Mountain Health Plans who are not within RMHP’s redrawn service area. The 60-day special enrollment period runs from December 31, the end of their former coverage.
• Colorado Consumer Health Initiative and Enroll America developed a new website that is the state’s one-stop-stop for health insurance literacy resources. 
• A recently released Kaiser Family Foundation/New York Times survey provides an in-depth look at the experiences of Americans ages 18-64 who say they or someone in their household had problems paying medical bills in the past year. The survey explores the causes of medical bill problems and the impacts they have on individuals and their families, finances, and access to health care.” [Source: Connect for Health Colorado]

Cervical Cancer Awareness Social Media Toolkit

This Cervical Cancer Awareness Social Media Toolkit – January 2016 is designed to help public health professionals understand the functions and benefits of social media, establish a Cervical Cancer Awareness Month social media strategy, manage social media accounts, implement Facebook and Twitter best practices, disseminate Cervical Cancer Awareness Month messaging and evaluate their social media efforts.

Articles & Publications and new resources

High Stakes for Health: Policy Trends for Colorado’s 2016 Legislative Session
January 8, 2016 – Colorado Health Institute

Higher Rate of Eligible Coloradans Are Getting Health Coverage
December 2015 – Colorado Health Institute

SNAC Lab Takes a Look Back and a Look Ahead at the ACC
November 18, 2015 – Colorado Health Institute

Health Elevations: A Turning Point for Long-Term Services and Supports
November 10, 2015 – The Colorado Health Foundation

Beyond Health Care: The Role of Social Determinants in Promoting Health and Health Equity
November 4, 2015 – Kaiser Family Foundation

Colorado in 2015: A ULI Survey of Views on Housing, Transportation and Community in Colorado
November 2015 – Urban Land Institute

Access to Care Improving in Colorado: Findings from New Colorado Access to Care Index Released
October 28, 2015 – Colorado Health Institute

Rates on a Roller Coaster: A Look at Colorado's 2016 Individual and Small Group Insurance Premiums
October 26, 2015 – Colorado Health Institute

Planned Changes to ACC Stir Up Debate
October 8, 2015 – Colorado Health Institute

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

• HCPF’s County Medicaid Fact Sheets
• The Pharmacy Connection
• Social Media Policy Workbook

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

ClinicNET Affiliate Staff: Don't forget to compete our annual affiliate survey by Jan. 12!

ClinicNET is honored to provide a centralized voice for Colorado’s Community Safety Net Clinics (CSNCs). The purpose of this annual affiliate survey is to help us understand your needs, how we can improve our support services, education, policy and advocacy work, and evaluate our impact on affiliate clinics. Your response by Tuesday, January 12, 2016 will allow us to incorporate your feedback into 2016 activities.

All respondents who include their names will be entered into a drawing to win one of two $25 Amazon.com gift cards!

Thank you for your honest feedback!

Loan Repayment Opportunity for ClinicNET Safety Net Clinics!

The application cycle for the Kaiser Permanente Education Loan Repayment for Safety Net Clinical Support Staff program is open January 1-January 31, 2016.

PLEASE SHARE THIS OPPORTUNITY WITH ALL CLINICAL SUPPORT STAFF! Forward email or print flyer and make it available to staff.

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

For questions, please contact Margaret Davidson at 303-867-9514 or at MDavidson@cchn.org or contact Angela Rose at 303-867-9511 or at Angela@cchn.org.

Institute for Healthcare Improvement (IHI) offerings for ClinicNET affiliates

Through a generous grant from Kaiser Permanente's Community Benefit Program, ClinicNET is pleased to be able to offer to contributing ClinicNET affiliates access to Institute for Healthcare Improvement (IHI) registration scholarships and travel support funding! Below are upcoming 2016 in-person  and web-based training opporunities.

Web-based Trainings

• Web&ACTION: Building Reliable Systems to Reduce Delays in Diagnosis​​ - Begins January 12, 2016​​
• End-of-Life Conversations: Preparing Your Team For Success and CMS Reimbursement –Begins January 13
• Expedition: Implementing a Population-Based Approach to Prevent Injuries from Falls – Beings January 20, 2016
• Leading Quality Improvement: Essentials for Managers - ​​​​Begins January 26, 2016
• Expedition: Improving Care Transitions to Reduce Readmissions - Begins February 4th, 2016
• Expedition: Kick-Start the Triple Aim - Begins February 24th, 2016
• Expedition: Improving Communication to Enhance Cultural Competency - Begins March 10, 2016
• Reliably Reducing Sepsis Mortality – Begins March 16, 2016

In-person Trainings & Conferences

• Advanced Measurement for Improvement - February 4-5, 2016 - San Diego, CA
• 2016 IHI Change Conference: Lead Well at Every Turn – March 10-11, 2016 – Dallas, TX
• 17th Annual Summit on Improving Patient Care in the Office Practice and Community – March 20-22, 2016 – Orlando, FL

IHI Open School: offers online courses in quality improvement, patient safety, and leadership. Earn a Certificate of Completion or Continuing Education Credits.

Interested in participating in a training or IHI Open School? Contact Brooke Powers at brooke.powers@clinicnet.org or 720-863-7803 asap!  [Source:IHI]

    

ClinicNET Affiliate Practice Administrators & IT Cohorts February 22; Leadership Cohort March 3

On Monday February 22, the ClinicNET Affiliate Practice Administrators Cohort will meet 11:00am-1:00pm and the Information Technology Cohort will meet 1:00pm-3:00pm at Carin' Clinic, 5150 Allison Street in Arvada.

The Leadership Cohort will meet Thursday, March 3, 2:00-4:00pm at Doctors Care, 609 W. Littleton Blvd, in Littleton.

Please RSVP to Brooke Powers at brooke.powers@clinicnet.org. New participants always welcome!

Denver-Metro Provider Survey – University of Colorado Health Community Health Needs Assessment

“Please take a moment to provide your perspective on the health of our Denver metro communities. As you may know, non-profit hospitals have a process in which they assess their ability to improve the health of their local community; it is known as the Community Health Needs Assessment.

Your completion of the following health issue ranking tool will assist University of Colorado Health in its 2016 Assessment and Implementation Plan. Results will be used to prioritize health issues most prevalent in your community.  Your opinions are vital and will be treated with the strictest confidentiality. Click here to take survey: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/2015_CHNA_Provider” [Source: University of Colorado Hospital]

Reminder: R.S.V.P. for the Colorado Health Foundation's Denver region Listening

“What does being healthy mean to you and your community? Share your story and join new Foundation President and CEO, Karen McNeil-Miller, as she embarks across Colorado to hear from grantees, community residents and leaders about their perspectives on health. Register to attend an event near you.  Learn more about the tour at www.ColoradoHealth.org/COTour.

• Tuesday, Jan. 12, 8:30-10 a.m. - Centennial
• Wednesday, Jan. 13, 8:30-10 a.m. - Broomfield
• Wednesday, Jan. 27, 8:30-10 a.m. - Castle Rock
• Friday, Jan. 29, 8:30-10 a.m. - Golden
• Thursday, Feb. 4, 8:30-10 a.m. - Denver
• Friday, Feb. 5, 8:30-10 a.m. - Denver
• Wednesday, Mar. 2, 5:30-7 p.m. – Brighton” [Source: TCHF]

New Publications - Department of Health Care Policy and Financing

Click here to view the January Provider Bulletin. The bulletin covers topics of interest to providers and billing professionals.

Click here to view the December edition of At a Glance. This publication provides information on major initiatives including policy changes and program updates. [Source: HCPF]

Teaming for Technology Colorado’s Software Training

“Teaming for Technology is a Colorado nonprofit that offers cost effective training on a variety of software and technology. Upcoming training opportunities include:

• Excel – Pivot Tables, Charts and Graphs, Jan. 19, 2015, 9:00-11:00 a.m.
• Access – Level 2, Jan. 11, 2015, 9:00-11:00 a.m.
• Excel  – Dashboarding, Jan. 21, 2015, 9:00-11:00 a.m.

Cost is $20 per class. To register and view a complete list of training opportunities click here.” [Source: Teaming for Technology Colorado]

University of Colorado’s 6th Annual Pediatric Advanced Practice Conference, Feb. 8-9

“This 1.5 day conference (February 8-9, 2016) provides clinical updates in evidence-based, pediatric care while focusing on integrated clinical and pharmacologic content. Excellent reviews in 2011 - 2015! Click here to view brochure. The conference is at Children's Hospital Colorado, Conference & Education Center - Aurora, CO. Click here for more information.

Target audience: Advanced practice nurses, physician assistants, pharmacists, physicians, and other health care professionals who are seeking updated information for providers caring for pediatric and young adult populations in primary, ambulatory and urgent care settings.” [Source: University of Colorado]

Colorado PEAK Updates

“Upcoming January 2016 Updates: The State CBMS PEAK team has released a summary of updates that will be implemented in PEAK on Sunday, January 10, 2016.

Medicaid Scam Alert from HCPF: Colorado Medicaid is alerting employers about a possible scam where employers or their payroll departments receive a letter or court documents claiming to be a "Medicaid Reimbursement Plan Garnishment" or something similar. Click here to access the full news alert and to learn more about how employers can protect themselves and their employees.

How to Report Technical Issues: This reference guide is for community partners to effectively and efficiently report technical issues encountered with PEAK or Connect for Health Colorado online application and eligibility systems.

Community Partner Support Call: Support calls are scheduled to follow PEAK updates to discuss system performance and known issues. The next support call is Thursday, January 14, 3:00 - 3:45 pm. Phone: 877-820-7831; Access code: 349141#.

Submit a Request for PEAK Outreach Materials: Brochures, client business cards, and posters are available! Request materials printed in English/Spanish at peakoutreach.com/outreach-materials.” [Source: Colorado PEAK]