SAFETY NET CLINIC WEEK AUGUST 15-19!

Safety Net Clinic Week is approaching fast! Still need help obtaining proclamations, outlining social media posts, promoting a open house or inviting local officials for a site-visit? Follow this link to the toolkit! Here activities confirmed for SNCW16 thus far:

Monday, August 1st:
Kids First Health Care will receive a Safety Net Clinic Week Proclamation from Commerce City

Sunday, August 7th:
St. Benedict Health and Healing Ministry (Boulder county) host an open house

Monday, August 15th:
Rep. Rosenthal will visit Jewish Family Services, Mental Health Program (Denver).

Tuesday, August 16th:
Rep. Ginal and Sen. Kefalas will visit Fort Collins Family Medicine Center 

Wednesday, August 17th:
Senator Crowder will visit Spanish Peaks Outreach Clinic (Walsenburg) and Samaritan Clinic (Trinidad).

Thursday, August 18th:
-Congresswoman DeGette and Rep. Beth McCann will visit Inner City Health (Denver).
-Rep. Moreno will visit Neighbor Outreach of Colorado (Denver).
-SET Family Medical Clinics (Colorado Springs) will host an Open House

Friday, August 19th:
-Rep. Esgar will visit Southern Colorado Family Medicine (Pueblo).
-Congressional candidate for office, Dr. Hans Hoccheimerwill, visit Fort Collins Family Medicine Center 

It is not too late to have your clinic host an event or obtain a proclamation as well!

For more questions or concerns, please contact our #SNCW16 Coordinator Sidharth Tripathi.
Email: sidharth.tripathi@clinicnet.org
Phone: 720-278-6386

Webinar: Harnessing the Power of Advocacy in Your Nonprofit

"There are many opportunities for 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations to advance their missions by engaging in advocacy to influence public policy. In fact, advocacy can be an effective catalyst for policy changes that leverage nonprofits' program work and carve a path towards mission advancement and sustainability. Nevertheless, even 501(c)(3) organizations with substantial advocacy experience and expertise can have questions about the legal parameters governing how their organizations can engage in specific advocacy activities like voter outreach, lobbying or policymaker engagement.

To help clarify legal considerations for 501(c)(3)s that engage in advocacy, the Colorado Health Foundation is sponsoring an upcoming webinar on August 11th, “Harnessing the Power of Advocacy in Your Nonprofit.” This webinar will guide participants through the process of integrating advocacy activities into their organization's activities whether they are experienced advocates or new to advocacy. Cara Lawrence, partner at the law firm of Tierney Lawrence, LLC, will lead the discussion and share information to help participants understand both the opportunities advocacy can present to advancing your organization's mission and the legal compliance issues 501(c)(3) organizations must consider when engaging in advocacy.

Register today to learn how to leverage your nonprofit’s influence through advocacy. The webinar is scheduled from 11 a.m. to noon on Thursday, Aug. 11. For questions, contact Dustin Moyer, Colorado Health Foundation policy officer."

[Source: The Colorado Health Foundation]

Have a Conversation...Change a Life

"Screening, brief intervention, referral to treatment (SBIRT) is an evidence-based prevention service for adolescents and adults.  It helps a patient understand the connection between alcohol and other drugs and health.  It should be as routine as taking a blood pressure.  A short convesation helps a patient make changes to improve their life.

SBIRT Colorado provides NO-COST TRAINING and support.  Online and in-person training provides CE credits for nurses and physicians.
àUpcoming trianing in Denver:
Wednesday, Agusut 24th at 2:30pm
Register Here
àPractice screening and brief intervention skills in online, interactive scenarios with virtual patients.  Start your online experience now!"
[Source:  SBIRT Colorado]

Invitation to Participate: Development of Kaiser Permanente Colorado’s Community Health Needs Assessment Implementation Strategy Plan

"Several weeks ago, Kaiser Permanente Colorado conducted the first phase of an online process called Concept Mapping to inform the Implementation Strategy portion of our Community Health Needs Assessment. During that phase, over 200 public health professionals from across Colorado brainstormed strategies to address six different health needs that had been identified in Kaiser Permanente Colorado's Community Health Needs Assessment report. These health needs are: healthy eating and active living, economic stability and vitality, mental health, access to primary and specialty care, climate change, and substance use. We are now asking for your continued input to inform Kaiser Permanente Colorado as we create our Implementation Strategies that will guide our work over the next three years.

Our goal is to reach public health professionals and others with interest in population health across Colorado who can help us prioritize the strategies identified in the first phase. You do not need to be an expert in all of the identified health needs.

YOUR INVOLVEMENT
Attached is a description of the process we will use to collect information for this project. We invite you to read over how the project works, and how your participation is critical to developing a meaningful and impactful Implementation Strategy Plan. We realize that your work schedule is demanding, but hope that you will agree to make this small time investment and provide your input.

We would be very grateful if you would take just 30-45 minutes to rate the 100 unique strategies that were brainstormed during the first phase of this process. You will be asked to rate each strategy on its importance to improving the health of Coloradans and the feasibility of implementing this strategy in the next 3 years. Please complete this exercise by 5pm MT, August 4, 2016.

Submit your ratings anonymously at the following web page:
http://conceptsystemsglobal.com/KPCOISPlan/rate

If you have any technical difficulties with the website, please contact me, Caila Aube at caila.aub@kp.org. We are looking forward to your participation in this process, and in working with you to collaboratively develop an Implementation Strategy Plan that will help improve the health of our shared communities."

[Source:  Kaiser Permanente Colorado]

Delta Dental of Colorado Innovation Grants

"Delta Dental of Colorado Foundation is offering financial support to Colorado-based organizations, entrepreneurs, researchers or individuals to develop and test the most creative ideas and approaches to improve the state’s oral health. Applicants must address how their idea can:

• Significantly improve the quality of oral health care.
• Develop and test new oral health technologies.
• Increase oral health literacy.
• Increase dental practice efficiencies.
• Connect and integrate oral health and overall health.
• Increase focus on prevention and/or early intervention.

Delta Dental of Colorado Foundation will award up to $200,000 to implement innovation grants. Grant awards will range from $5,000 to $50,000. Projects can take up to 18 months to complete.

-Applications need to-
Originate in Colorado – Out-of-state applications will not be accepted.
Demonstrate innovation – New, untested, cutting edge ideas.
Be impactful – Funded ideas will advance the field of oral health in a meaningful way.

Applications will not be considered that are solely for equipment, capital funding, marketing campaigns (e.g., brochures, videos, etc.) and sustaining ongoing programs.

FSubmit an online application by September 1, 2016. The project team can answer questions during the application process. Please contact Lisa Konen at lkonen@ddpco.com

-Key Dates-
Thursday, July 21, 9:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m. – Funding Overview Webinar
Thursday, September 1 – Applications due by 5:00 p.m. MDT
Week of September 19-23 – Applicant meetings/Site visits
Monday, October 17 – Notify applicants of awards
November 1 – Begin issuing grant agreement"
[Source:  Delta Dental Foundation of Colorado]

You're invited to the Safety Net Clinic Week Kick-off Celebration!

2016 Safety Net Clinic Week Kick-off Celebration! 

Host: Rocky Mountain Youth Clinic; 9197 Grant St, Thornton, CO 80229

When: Thursday, August 11^th. 4:00 – 6:00 p.m.

RSVP to Sidharth Tripathi: 720-278-6386

or sidharth.tripathi@clinicnet.org

Light refreshments will be provided. We hope to see you there! 

Meaningful Use 2016: LAST YEAR to Receive Maximum Payments

With the completion of attestations for EPs (eligible professionals) for program year 2015, it’s time to shift your focus to program year 2016!

Program Year 2016 Reminders

• For all returning participants, the incentive program reporting period will be a full calendar year between January 1-December 31 of the 2016 calendar year. 
• EPs, eligible hospitals (EH) and critical access hospitals (CAHs) that have not successfully demonstrated Meaningful Use in a prior year will have a continuous 90-day reporting period between January 1- December 31 of the 2016 calendar year. 
• Program year 2016 is the last year to begin participation in the Medicaid EHR Incentive Program and still receive up to the maximum payments under the program. For more detailed information refer to the CMS 2016 program year requirements page. 
• An EP can attest to Meaningful Use OR Adopt, Implement, Upgrade (AIU) in program year 2016.  click here for more reminders 

In preparation for program year 2016, the CORHIO website contains a multitude of resources related to the incentive program. If you received this newsletter as a forward from a colleague, you can subscribe by emailing your name and organization name to medicaidEHR@corhio.org. The monthly newsletter is the leading resource for up-to-date information on the Colorado Medicaid EHR Incentive Program and therefore we encourage you to read it thoroughly.

[Source:  COHRIO]

News from SIM

²Learn More About TCPi

The TCPi Colorado Practice Transformation Network presents an opportunity for 2,000 clinicians in Colorado to receive practice support as they prepare for new payment models. All primary carephysicians and specialists are encouraged to stay up to date on Medicare payment reform and consider taking advantage of this federally-funded support to help their practices thrive in the evolving health care landscape.

The SIM Office continues to host a series of informational webinars about the program and encourages anyone who is interested in learning more about TCPi to register. Click here to register.
For questions please email: TCPI@hcpf.state.co.us

²CMS Proposes New Payment for Care Coordination and Mental Health

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) is proposing to pay for specific behavioral health services furnished using the Collaborative Care Model, which has demonstrated benefits in a variety of settings. In this model, patients are cared for through a team approach, involving a primary care practitioner, behavioral health care manager, and psychiatric consultant. CMS is also proposing to pay more broadly for other approaches to behavioral health integration services.
Click here to view the full story from CMS.

[Source: Colorado State Innovation Model]

Computer Virus Targeting Healthcare Facilities!

"Be alert to a computer virus targeting healthcare facilities. According to Sophos, this virus is a variant of CXmal/BadLnk-A.

• The virus is spreading through emails being sent in small batches to facilities, which helps it bypass SPAM filters. 
• The link contains an invoice in a Microsoft Word document and upon opening, prompts the user with the message, "this file contains active content. Would you like to enable?” 
• Enabling the content is what activates the virus and allows it to propagate through the system. Please keep in mind that the exact wording may vary. If you receive any suspicious emails, or emails asking you to click on links with which you are unfamiliar, please do not open the link and follow your organizations’ protocol for reporting this situation.

Please be sure to share this with your users and remind them to be diligent when opening and/or responding to emails.
FHere are a few quick reminders for your organization. The IT Staff at the Heart of the Rockies Medical Center in Salida put together a concise and helpful list, and we wanted to share it with you in hopes it increases your awareness and security.

• Never open emails from unknown or unexpected sender.
• If the email is legitimate, they will reach back out to you. 
• Take a quick glance for obvious clues like misspellings in the senders address, subject or body of the email. Short or desperate language meant to encourage a quick/reactionary opening of attachment is often present.
• Never "run active content" in an attached… even if the email appears to come from a known sender. This is almost always a sign of malicious code embedded in the attachment.
• Keep your work email account limited to work business. There is no reason to be doing personal email on your work account… it only opens us up to future attacks. 
• Get a gmail account for personal use… it's free. Most organizations will not allow you access to your personal email so you’ll have to perform those functions from home."

[Source: Colorado Rural Health Center]

Meet El Pomar Foundation

Community Resource Center Development Roundtables provide an introduction to a Colorado-based funder and Program Officer, and an opportunity for peer-learning and networking.

August's Featured Foundation is El Pomar Foundation, whose mission is to enhance, encourage, and promote the current and future well-being of the people of Colorado. A private general purpose foundation, El Pomar accepts applications from 501(c)3 organizations serving the state of Colorado in the areas of arts and culture, civic and community initiatives, education, health, and human services.

The guest is Matt Carpenter, Senior Vice President of Grants
Wednesday, August 17| 2:00pm - 3:30pm
Location: 789 Sherman Street, Suite 100
Cost: $20 Early Bird (ends 8/10) | $35 Regular Price

MACRA and How Physician Compensation will Be Impacted

CMGMA and CHA are jointly hosting a dinner for physicians to hear Dave Wofford, a nationally recognized MACRA expert – the Medicare Access and CHIP Reauthorization Act of 2015 – and the impact it will have on health care including things like physician compensation and value-based incentive programs.

Beginning in 2019, as a result of MACRA, CMS will be making significant changes in the way Medicare reimburses for physician services under Medicare Part B. Though these changes seem like a long way off, they will actually be based on providers’ performance in earlier years … most likely starting in federal fiscal year 2017 (January 2017). Physicians will have a chance to ask questions of the speaker in a small group setting.

Wednesday, July 27th Dinner Meeting
5:30 pm start and conclude by 7 pm

Brio Tuscan Grille in Cherry Creek
2500 E. 1st Ave., Denver, CO 80206

Cost is $48 per person; non-refundable
Space is limited – rsvp now here!

Providers MUST revalidate by August 1st!!!

Starting October 31, 2016, Health First Colorado claims and encounters submitted by providers who have not enrolled and/or revalidated will be denied.

The deadline for Medicaid provider revalidation is rapidly approaching! Providers who do not begin the revalidation process by August 1, 2016 put themselves at serious risk for delayed payments as revalidation may take several weeks.

By completing the enrollment/revalidation process now through the Online Provider Enrollment (OPE) tool, providers will not experience delays in payment when the new enrollment and claims management system, Colorado interChange, launches onOctober 31, 2016.

Visit the Provider Resources web page for all neccessary information.
[Source:  HCPF]

Patient Navigator Training Opportunities

Level 1 scheduled for August Topics in this comprehensive "Level 1" training include patient communication, health promotion, professional conduct and motivational interviewing. Date/Time: Aug. 8-10, 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m. Location: Red Rocks Community College Lakewood campus 13300 W 6th Ave., Room EA 1013 Lakewood, CO 80228 Register Here Native Patient Navigator Basic Training Native American Cancer Research (NACR) proudly announces a training course on Native Patient Navigation that includes American Indian Cultural Competency training, along with other sessions that address competency standards for patient navigators. Payment is due with the registration by Aug. 1. Course perfect for community health representatives, nurses, community health aides, and other interested in learning more about Native Patient Navigation. Date: Aug. 15-17, 2016 Location: 3605 S. Hampden Ave. (Wadsworth & Hampden), Denver, CO Fee: $550 Click here for more information FOnline Learning Opportunities  Coverage to Care Partners Webinar/ De la cobertura al cuidado de su salud You are invited to join the From Coverage to Care (C2C) Partner Webinar to be held in Spanish, hosted by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services Office of Minority Health. Para ayudar a la comunidad latina a aprovechar su cobertura médica, la Oficina de Salud para las Minorías de los Centros de Servicios de Medicare y Medicaid ofrecerán un seminario virtual en español. Date/Time: July 20, 11 am MDT Register/Registro SHEC’s Cultural Competency Resource Guide Spotlight Webinar Series: Asian American & Pacific Islanders in the Southeast Are you interested in learning more about cultural competency and utilizing cultural competency resources to best fit your organizational needs? The focus of the webinar will be the Center for Pan Asian Community Services, Inc. and it will cover immigrants and refugees, with a focus on the AAPI community in Georgia. Date/Time: July 28, 12-1 p.m. MDT Register Here Equity and Empowerment Lens: A Tool to Create Polices and Programs The Lens is a quality improvement tool used to improve planning, decision-making and resource allocation leading to more racially equitable policies and programs. This webinar is presented by the National Partnership for Action to End Health Disparities.Date/Time: July 21, 1 p.m. MDT Register Here Health System Transformation: A Deeper Dive into MedicaidThis webinar will provide an overview of state and federal Medicaid programs, including population characteristics, roles and responsibilities, and decision making processes. A the end of the webinar, participants will have increased understanding about how to engage with Medicaid at the state and federal level towards increased access, utilization, and quality of key preventive services. Date/Time: July 28, 11 a.m. MDT Register Here [Source: Patient Navigator Training Collaborative]

Community Safety Net Clinic Representation Needed

As providers with patients involved in the criminal justice system, you're encouraged to particpate in the Colorado Summit on Behavioral Health and Criminal Justice.  You are a critical part of the community health continuum that can contribute to reduced incarceration and over-use of the criminal justice system.  Right now the health care safety net voice is underrepresented.

Course Corrections: Colorado Summit on Behavioral Health and Criminal Justice

• Wednesday, August 31, 8am - 4pm
• Colorado History Museum, Denver, Colorado 
• The one-day event will focus collective problem-solving energy on managing behavioral health challenges and recommending state and local course corrections for reducing the misuse of the criminal justice system and cultivating the health and prosperity of our communities.
• Click here for more information and to register

Please let Equitas know of any barriers to registering, including cost. Equitas is prepared to assist with the registration process or subsidize the cost in order to get you there. The event will not be as great a success without your participation. The registration fee is $130. We are committed to bringing in representation from all regions of the state.

Please register today, or contact Gwendolyn West (gwest@merage-equitas.org) for assistance. 

[Source: Equitas Foundation]

Safety Net Clinic Week is only a month away!

Safety Net Clinic Week is August 15-19 and we are currently following up on invitations to state legislators and our congressional delegation to visit ClinicNET affiliates during the week! We will contact you if an elected official is interested in visiting your clinic; please respond back to us as soon as possible!

Don't forget to utilize the Safety Net Clinic Week toolkit (includes templates, logos and other materials to help you get the most out of Safety Net Clinic Week); click here to access the toolkit. Safety Net Clinic Week is your week; its a great way to highlight the important work that your clinics do!

If you have any questions, please contact:
Sidharth Tripathi, 2016 Safety Net Clinic Week Coordinator
Cell: 720-278-6386
sidharth.tripathi@clinicnet.org

TCHF Funding Opportunity: Primary Care Leadership

"The Colorado Health Foundation is excited to announce an upcoming funding opportunity within our Health Care outcome area.

• Primary Care Leadership - Grant Deadline: Oct. 15, 2016

As a part of the Foundation’s primary care strategy, this initiative will fund programs supporting the development of primary care clinician champions who advocate for comprehensive, person-centered care at the practice, community, state or federal level. The goal of this new funding opportunity is to enhance the primary care workforce to drive change, strengthen the delivery of services and improve the health outcomes of those served.

• Nonprofit organizations inside and outside of Colorado will be considered. 
• Awarded programs must be designed with a focus on Colorado’s health care system and participants must be primary care clinicians (including physicians, nurse practitioners, physician assistants, registered nurses, licensed behavioral health provider, dental hygienists and dentists) practicing in the state. 
• Priority will be given to programs that target clinicians serving rural and low-income communities and culturally represent the patients they serve.

Interested applicants are encouraged to contact Tanya Weinberg, senior program officer at the Foundation, by Thursday, Sept. 1, indicating intent to apply. To be considered for funding, applicants must meet specific criteria." 

[Source:  The Colorado Health Foundation]

Cara Russell Memorial Fund

"Cara Russell was the epitome of living what you preach. She continually strove to help improve the lives of others through community involvement, outreach and her amazing joyful presence and being. She warmed the room with her smile and compelled others to do and be their best. She lost her life tragically this past week leaving many things unsettled.

We are starting this Go Fund me as a way for others to help with unforeseen costs associated with the funeral and medical costs. Any additional funds will be donated to Cara's favorite charity the Ark Valley Human Society in Buena Vista Colorado, where she devoted much of her life energy and time.

The family would like to thank everyone for their kindness, generosity and amazing giving spirit. Thank you for all of your blessings."

[Source:  gofundme]

Join Us! Practice Administrators' and IT Combined Cohort

Thursday, August 11th

Noon - 2pm

Rocky Mountain Youth Clinics

9197 Grant Street 

Thornton, CO  80229

Lunch Provided 

Please RSVP to brooke.powers@clinicnet.org

STREAMING LIVE: The 2016 Colorado Health Symposium July 27-29

Register now to watch "Health Is Everyone's Business"

"During the three day event, attendees will interact with leading experts in health and health care, share ideas and learn about emerging health trends.

All plenary and keynote sessions will stream live including presentations from these experts:

• Renaisa Anthony, MD, MPH, Deputy Director, Center for Reducing Health Disparities
• America Bracho, Founder & CEO, Latino Health Access
• Stuart Butler, PhD, Senior Fellow, Economic Studies, The Brookings Institution
• Steve Pemberton, Vice President, Diversity and Inclusion and Global Chief Diversity Officer, Walgreens Boots Alliance
• Jay Want, MD, Chief Medical Officer, Center for Improving Value in Health Care (CIVHC)
• Leana Wen, MD, Commissioner, Baltimore City Health Department

FNew this year, a special Wednesday evening conversation will be streamed live to our online audience.

• The Colorado Experiment: A Spotlight on Substance Abuse in the State — Colorado is hosting a crucial experiment testing easier access to addictive substances – from legal marijuana to sharp increases in opioids and craft brew tourism. Watch as we go beyond the headlines and hear real stories of loss and recovery across Colorado. Join us to discuss how this experiment is affecting our physical and behavioral health. Online viewers can ask questions via YouTube live stream chat, Facebook comments or on Twitter using #16CHS. Registered online attendees are eligible for a chance to receive a complimentary registration to the 2017 Colorado Health Symposium."

[Source:  The Colorado Health Foundation]

Medicaid Training Offered

"As the improvements to the Medicaid program brought about by the Affordable Care Act take full effect, the information provided in this workshop will give providers and their managers new tools to work effectively with clients who are applying for or currently enrolled in Medicaid.

Designed for those new to Medicaid as well as more experienced providers, the day is broken into two sessions we're calling Medicaid 101 and Medicaid 202. You can register for the 101 session alone (half day) or both sessions (full day).

Medicaid and Beyond
Basic: Sept. 15, 9 a.m. -12:30 p.m.
Advanced: Sept. 15, 1 - 5 p.m.
Denver Rescue Mission Administration & Education Building
6100 Smith Road, Denver, CO 80216
For more information and online registration, please visit: Medicaid Basic and Advanced."

[Source:  COPrevent]

Get Out of the Grant Dependent Cycle!

Diversify your funding by learning new techniques for expanding your revenue streams and reconnecting with your donors. Join CRC and your non-profit colleagues to cover funding strategies like social enterprises, earned revenue streams, online giving, crowd funding, annual appeals and special events.

Community Resource Center (CRC)

Wednesday, July 27 | 9:00am-4:00pm
789 Sherman St, Suite 100 | Denver
$120 Regular Price - REGISTER NOW

[Source:  CRC]

A Few Spots Left...eConsult Rheumatology Test Group!

The Department of Health Care Policy and Financing is starting a new eConsult program test group designed to use an online electronic consultation system built into CORHIO’s health information exchange. The system enables primary care providers and physician specialists to easily discuss care for Medicaid clients and securely share health information (medical records, lab results, imagery, etc). At this point HCPF is establishing a small test group with Rheumatologists from UCHealth and Denver Health as well as about 10 primary care practices/clinics to evaluate the system.

The test group will help with rheumatology access for your providers and clients as well as benefit the evaluation of the eConsult system. The only requirement is that the clinic must already be registered with CORHIO (meaning access to Patient Care 360 platform).

• The eConsult system is integrated into CORHIO – so there won’t be a giant leap for providers/staff who are already familiar.
• The eConsult system can be easily managed by staff/referral coordinators so providers don’t have to leave their EHR if desired.
• HCPF is paying PCMPs $10 for each eConsult. It’s like a curbside consult, but better and there’s payment.
• You all decide when it’s useful (no giant commitment for test group)

If your clinic is interested in participating, please contact JD Belshe, jd.belshe@state.co.us, 303.866.2184, HCPF

[Source:  HCPF)

COPrevent: Valuable Resources

Free Positive Youth Development Training
Friday August 19 ~ 9:00am-3:00pm
Community First Foundation, 5855 Wadsworth Bypass, Arvada, CO 80003
Cost: Free
Registration: http://bit.ly/PYD_Training_16-17
Questions: email erin.flynn@state.co.us

New Resources for African Americans with or at risk for Type 2 Diabetes
The National Diabetes Education Program (NDEP) offers tools and resources you can use to help people with or at risk for type 2 diabetes.

• Check out the new Faith Leaders Toolkit, which features culturally appropriate tip sheets, webinars, videos, social media messages, and other materials that make it easy for you to build awareness about diabetes prevention and management.
• Help people with diabetes and their loved ones learn to cope with the disease using New Beginnings: A Discussion Guide for Living Well with Diabetes.
• See all the resources at the NDEP Working in Communities page.

As a faith community leader, trusted community organization, or local health care provider, you are in a unique and important position to educate people at risk for diabetes. Explore other NDEP resources that help you motivate people to take steps toward healthful living.

[Source:  COPrevent]

Safety Net Clinic Week Progress

Hello Affiliate Clinics! Our coordinator is hard at work contacting legislators for Safety Net Clinic Week 2016. He has already contacted your clinics to make sure whether your clinic is participating, or, if you have decided to participate, what sort of resources he can provide to help you with hosting your event. If you still need access to the toolkit, please find it here. Safety Net Clinic Week is a great way for your clinic to help connect with its community; we hope you will join us in celebrating...you!

Our Safety Net Clinic Week Coordinators Contact Information:
Email: sidharth.tripathi@clinicnet.org
Phone: 720-278-6386

ClinicNET Conversations: The Campaign for a Healthy Colorado!

Check out the latest ClinicNET Conversations blog post The Campaign for a Healthy Colorado! by Brooke Powers, Program and Policy Manager

"Tobacco use remains Colorado’s leading cause of preventable each year. Significant increases in tobacco taxes are a proven way to prevent and reduce tobacco use and have been endorsed as a public health strategy by the U.S. Surgeon General and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The tax — an increase of $1.75 on a pack of cigarettes and a 22% increase on other tobacco products like cigars and chewing tobacco — will raise approximately $315 million annually. These funds will help Colorado communities by reducing smoking and related health care costs, modernizing and improving care for youth and veterans, and propelling cutting-edge research to cure cancer and major diseases"...continue reading here  and click here for more on The Campaign for a Healthy Colorado.

HRSA Funding Announcement: Service Area Competition (SAC)

The purpose of the SAC funding opportunity is to ensure continued access to comprehensive, culturally competent, quality primary health care services for communities and vulnerable populations currently served by the Health Center Program. The funding opportunity announcement details the SAC eligibility requirements, review criteria, and awarding factors for organizations seeking funding for operational support to provide primary and preventive health care services. Faith-based and community-based organizations, Tribes, and tribal organizations are eligible to apply.
Applications due August 29, 2016. For application criteria and guidelines click here.

ACC Phase II July Updates

Currently, the ACC Phase II Team is developing a working draft of the request for proposals (RFP). The Department's ACC Program Improvement Advisory Committee (PIAC) and other stakeholder groups have also been asked for input on major program decisions. We encourage all interested parties to see the past meeting summaries on the ACC Phase II site that captures discussions around specific Phase II topics.

In fall 2016, the stakeholder community will have a chance to weigh in on the draft RFP. Between now and the release of the draft RFP, the Department will not regularly solicit stakeholder feedback.

To Learn more about ACC Phase II, click here. ACC Phase II Team has recorded two brief presentations about Phase II. Please share these resources and others available on our ACC Phase II page with your networks.
ACC Phase II Overview Recording
ACC Phase II Behavioral Health Framework Recording
For regular updates, join the ACC Phase II Update mailing list.

[Source:  HCPF]

Important HCPF News and Updates!

Health First Colorado is official!

As of June 27, 2016, the Colorado Medicaid program is now called Health First Colorado. The new name reflects the significant improvements that have been made to modernize Colorado's Medicaid program to better engage members and improve the quality and coordination of care. The Health First Colorado rename has been made possible through grants from the Colorado Health Foundation and Caring for Colorado Foundation.

The name itself - Health First Colorado - aims to convey the Department's commitment to putting its members' health first, as well as encourage its 1.3 million members to put their own health first.
For more information, visit HealthFirstColorado.com.

Providers MUST revalidate by August 1st!

Starting October 31, 2016, Health First Colorado claims and encounters submitted by providers who have not enrolled and/or revalidated will be denied.

The deadline for Medicaid provider revalidation is rapidly approaching! Providers who do not begin the revalidation process by August 1, 2016 put themselves at serious risk for delayed payments as revalidation may take several weeks.

By completing the enrollment/revalidation process now through the Online Provider Enrollment (OPE) tool, providers will not experience delays in payment when the new enrollment and claims management system, Colorado interChange, launches onOctober 31, 2016.

Visit the Provider Resources web page for all neccessary information.

Future of CHP+?

While federal financing for the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) was extended through September 30, 2017, it is unclear whether or not Congress will consider extending federal financing beyond 2017.  Due to this uncertainty, the Department has been planning and considering alternative policies and models to ensure that the children and pregnant women who are covered by Child Health Plan Plus (CHP+), Colorado's CHIP program, will have access to comparable sources of physical and behavioral health and dental coverage with respect to affordability, adequacy of benefits and availability of services.

The Department will be hosting a public meeting to discuss options in more detail and to receive feedback and advice from interested stakeholders.
July 21, 2016
10:00 - 11:30 a.m.
The Department of Health Care Policy & Financing
303 E. 17th Avenue, 7th Floor, Conference Room 7BC
Denver, CO 80203

To participate by phone, call:
Toll Free: (877) 820-7831
Participant Code: 422066
For more information, contact Allison Heyne.
[Source:  At A Glance]