CHIP Coalition Update:
"Policy Update
"Policy Update
Action on CHIP has been further delayed until later in December, due in large part to the fact that Congress has been focused on resolving other issues related to the short-term continuing resolution (CR) to keep the government funded after December 8. Some reports indicate that the short-term CR will go until December 22, but other reports indicate that it could go until later December or even mid-January. Most folks think that CHIP legislation will have to ride with must-pass government funding legislation. Despite the uncertainty around the government funding timeline, Congressional leaders continue to state that there will be action on CHIP by December 22.
As we noted in an earlier update this week, the U.S. House released proposed legislation that would give the federal Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) flexibility to provide relief to states running out of federal CHIP funds the fastest. It provides legal authority to CMS to redistribute funds through the end of the year. It is not clear at this point what this would mean for Colorado, but does not appear to change current contingency plans for the state so far.
Lieutenant Governor Meeting
As we noted in an earlier update this week, the U.S. House released proposed legislation that would give the federal Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) flexibility to provide relief to states running out of federal CHIP funds the fastest. It provides legal authority to CMS to redistribute funds through the end of the year. It is not clear at this point what this would mean for Colorado, but does not appear to change current contingency plans for the state so far.
Lieutenant Governor Meeting
Members of the CHIP Coalition, together with health care providers, the Medicaid Department, and families of kids who use CHP+ for their insurance, met with the Lieutenant Governor this afternoon. We shared our concerns about the lack of funding for the CHIP program at the Federal level and asked the Lieutenant Governor to continue her advocacy with our federal delegation and to express to them the uncertainty that this is creating for families and the urgent need to address this issue. Families discussed the importance of the CHIP program in covering the health care needs of their kids, including ensuring access to medications required to manage chronic health conditions, the importance of vision coverage, and importance of knowing that if a child falls or gets sick, they can be taken to their regular doctor.
Advocacy Materials
Advocacy Materials
Click here for new CHIP messaging, including updated talking points and social media content. For those organizations who are able, please use and share with your networks."
CHP+ Update and Resources from HCPF:
CHP+ Update and Resources from HCPF:
Child Health Plan Plus (CHP+): Latest Resources and How You Can Help
As you may be aware, if Congress does not renew federal funding, CHP+ in Colorado will end on January 31, 2018. Congress can pass a law at any time to renew federal funding for CHP+, but there is no guarantee that they will.
As of today, there are no changes to CHP+ benefits, eligibility or enrollment.
The Department has developed resources to help you answer questions from CHP+ applicants and members. We encourage you to bookmark CO.gov/HCPF/FutureCHP and subscribe to our Future of CHP+ updates here.
New FAQs Available Online Now
The Department has published new frequently asked questions (FAQs) on CO.gov/HCPF/FutureCHP.
Member Communications
In late November, CHP+ members received an informational notice. The sample correspondence is available on CO.gov/HCPF/child-health-
If Congress does not act by mid-December 2017, CHP+ members will receive an Eligibility Notice of Action in late December. A sample of this letter will be available soon.
Upcoming Informational Webinars
The Department will be hosting two informational webinars in December. The first will be for providers and managed care organizations. The second webinar will be co-hosted with Connect for Health Colorado for eligibility partners, counties and stakeholders. The purpose of the webinars is to provide additional policy and operational information to our partners regarding the possible end to CHP+. The webinars will provide an opportunity for participants to ask questions via chat. The webinars will be recorded and posted on CO.gov/HCPF/FutureCHP.
- Provider & CHP+ Managed Care Organization Webinar: December 12, 2017 1:30-2:30 p.m.
- Registrants will be emailed a link to join the webinar the day before the webinar.
- There is a limit of 500 participants.
- Register Here.
- Stakeholder, Advocate, County and Eligibility Partner Webinar: December 13, 2017 12:00-1:00pm.
- Registrants will be emailed a link to join the webinar the day before the webinar.
- There is a limit of 500 participants.
- Register here.
- Additional training for counties & CBMS Users will be available through the Staff Development Center. You will need to log into you CO.Learn account and search for 'CHP+ Sunset'.
Resources
November 20 Future of CHP+ Recorded Webinar: The Department has made available a recorded webinar on CO.gov/HCPF/FutureCHP
CHP+ Member Messaging: The Department has developed CHP+ member messaging that is available on CO.gov/HCPF/FutureCHP. These resources include talking points, phone hold messaging, social media posts, newsletter content, FAQs, etc.
How You Can Help
We ask that you utilize your CHP+ member communication vehicles to inform CHP+ members of the possible end to the program and help educate members of what they can expect. CHP+ member messaging is available on CO.gov/HCPF/FutureCHP.
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