Final Community Safety Net Clinic Update!

I've come to the end of my contract providing limited advocacy, policy & communications work on behalf of community safety net clinics (enabled via some remaining funds from ClinicNET, fiscally sponsored by Inner City Health Center). It's been such an honor to represent and work with Colorado's community safety net clinics over the years! I've learned so much and have been impressed and inspired by your mission-driven work! Keep up the great work providing access to care to Coloradans! 😃❤ 

(Keep scrolling down! There is some important information in this final Update!)

Brooke Powers, MSW/MPA

720.233.7375
@BrookePowers72
https://www.linkedin.com/in/brooke-powers-593447133/

Latest from the CO Dept. of Health Care Policy & Financing (HCPF)

• Medicaid Primary Care Alternative Payment Model Implementation Workgroup - July 23, noon-1pm; Call in: 720-279-0026, Participant Code: 295030#
• Accountable Care Collaborative (ACC) Phase II Update - June 29, 2018
• HCPF is hosting a listening session on Wednesday, July 18, 2018, 10-11:30am to hear feedback from stakeholders regarding the implementation of the Accountable Care Collaborative Phase II. Click here for more information and to RSVP. 
• One of the best ways to provide input/troubleshoot the Medicaid ACC Phase II is to participate in the ACC Provider & Community Issues (P&CI) Subcommittee Meeting. Meeting documents can be found on the P&CI website. (Select the 2018 dropdown menu and click on the appropriate month.) In addition, continue to visit the ACC Phase II website for updated information and announcements.

Celebrate Safety Net Clinic Week August 20-24! #SNCW18

In an effort to celebrate, highlight and advocate for Colorado's health care safety net, we encourage your clinic to participate in the eighth annual Safety Net Clinic Week, August 20-24, 2018. The week is devoted to educating the public, policymakers and other community leaders about Colorado’s Community Safety Net Clinics (CSNCs) and federally certified Rural Health Clinics (RHCs).

As in years past we have created a “toolkit” to help clinics participate in Safety Net Clinic Week 2018. We encourage you to use the resources included in the toolkit to have the most successful Safety Net Clinic Week 2018 possible! Included in the “toolkit” are many easily customizable documents. Click on each item listed below to open:

• Short Overview of Safety Net Clinic Week
• Safety Net Clinic Week Logo (use as content for your website, blogs, social media, newsletters, email signatures, etc.)
•  Sample Letter to the Editor (for submission to your local media)
• Governmental Proclamation orResolution (request a proclamation from your city and/or county)
• Safety Net Clinic Week Invitation (consider inviting your state and local public officials, and local business and community leaders to visit your clinic during Safety Net Clinic Week. *see helpful links below)
•  Open House Invitation template (consider hosting an open house so folks can see and hear firsthand about the important work you are doing!)
• Safety Net Clinic Week Fact Sheet (include with any invitation you extend and use, in addition to specific information about your clinic, as speaking points during Safety Net Clinic Week)
• Safety Net Clinic Week Press Release/Advisory (submit to your local media)
• Social Media Guidelines

The Colorado Rural Health Center has requested a Proclamation of Safety Net Clinic Week 2018 from the Governor and will be disseminating a statewide press release announcing Safety Net Clinic Week 2018.

*Link to identify your Elected Officials: Identify your Federal, State and local elected officials

Latest from the CO Dept. of Health Care Policy & Financing (HCPF)

• At a Glance - June 2018
• CCHAP Practice Manager Newsletter - July 3, 2018
• Accountable Care Collaborative (ACC) Phase II Update - June 29, 2018
• Attn Clinics: One of the best ways to provide input/troubleshoot the Medicaid ACC Phase II is to participate in the ACC Provider & Community Issues (P&CI) Subcommittee Meeting (meets 2nd Thurs each month.) The next meeting is: Thursday, July 12, 8am Room A2A at CDPHE (4300 Cherry Creek South Drive) but there is always a call-in option (1-877-820-7831 (local 720-279-0026) participant code: 946029#! Meeting documents can be found on the P&CI website. (Select the 2018 dropdown menu and click on the appropriate month.) In addition, continue to visit the ACC Phase II website for updated information and announcements. 

Celebrate Safety Net Clinic Week August 20-24! #SNCW18

In an effort to celebrate, highlight and advocate for Colorado's health care safety net, we encourage your clinic to participate in the 9th Annual Safety Net Clinic Week, August 20-24, 2018. The week is devoted to educating the public, policymakers and other community leaders about Colorado’s Community Safety Net Clinics (CSNCs) and federally certified Rural Health Clinics (RHCs). As in years past we will create a “toolkit” to help clinics participate in Safety Net Clinic Week. I encourage you to use the resources included in the toolkit to have the most successful Safety Net Clinic Week possible! Included in the “toolkit” are many easily customizable templates. Stay tuned! Toolkit coming next week!

Latest from the CO Dept. of Health Care Policy & Financing (HCPF)

• ACC Phase II Update - June 25, 2018
• CICP Communicates - June 28, 2018

Latest from (or about) the CO Dept. of Health Care Policy & Financing (HCPF)

• ACC Phase II Update - June 6, 2018
• At a Glance - May 31, 2018
• CCHAP Practice Manager Newsletter - May 25, 2018

Latest from the CO Dept. of Health Care Policy & Financing (HCPF)

• Accountable Care Collaborative (ACC) Phase II Update - May 18, 2018 - ACC Phase II starts July 1!
• Now Accepting Applications for the ACC Stakeholder Committee - deadline extended to June 1!

Clinic equipment and supplies

The Neighbor Outreach of Colorado Free Clinic in Adams county is closing its doors and has equipment and supplies including shelving, file cabinets and wall units with otoscopes and opthalmoscopes that need to find a new home. If interested contact Monica Morris, DO at mcorriga@zagmail.gonzaga.edu.




   

Latest from the CO Dept. of Health Care Policy & Financing (HCPF)

• Accountable Care Collaborative (ACC) Phase II Update - May 18, 2018 - ACC Phase II starts July 1!
• Now Accepting Applications for the ACC Stakeholder Committee - deadline extended to June 1!
• CICP Communicates - May 16, 2018

Latest from the CO Dept. of Health Care Policy & Financing (HCPF)

• Accountable Care Collaborative (ACC) Phase II Update - May 2, 2018 - ACC Phase II starts July 1!
• Now Accepting Applications for the ACC Stakeholder Committee - deadline May 18!
• At a Glance - April 30, 2018

Latest from the CO Dept. of Health Care Policy & Financing (HCPF)

• At a Glance - April 30, 2018
• Accountable Care Collaborative Phase II Update - May 2, 2018 - ACC Phase II starts July 1!

Prime Health Challenge

The Annual Prime Health Challenge began in 2014 to galvanize the burgeoning digital health ecosystem and accelerate the adoption of digital health technologies focused on achieving the “Triple Aim” of improved patient experience, improved population health and lower costs.  The program, powered by The Colorado Health Foundation, validates companies based on impact, business and clinical rubrics in order to identify the most commercial-ready solutions.  Industry experts provide feedback and mentorship to digital health companies seeking to pilot their products with healthcare institutions.  The program concludes with a “shark-tank” style event, where finalists companies pitch their products live to a panel of healthcare executives from healthcare institutions across Colorado, and an audience of hundreds, to win a portion of $150,000 and the opportunity to pilot their product.

This year, the Challenge will focus on funding pilots within Colorado Safety Net Institutions.  We plan to address key needs identified by our Safety Net Advisory Board to support underserved communities and are soliciting judges from these Institutions and community stakeholders in the evaluation process in order to identify relevant health technology solutions.

Apply To Judge: Fill out this quick form at https://airtable.com/shrOEg7kAl4k0fmRy and we’ll send you an invitation to apply.


Judging

As a judge, you will be expected to review health technology company applications for the 2018 Challenge on the Valid Evaluation platform. Each judge will be assigned 4-8 companies to evaluate based on their subject matter expertise.  Judges are expected to complete these evaluations from May 21^st to June 4^th and should allocate 3-6 hours for the process.  We encourage you to attend the June 6^th semi-finalist selection meeting; however, this is not a requirement to participate.

For specific questions, please reach out to Nicole McNew, Executive Director at Prime Health, at Nicole@primehealthco.com.

Latest from (or about) the CO Dept. of Health Care Policy & Financing (HCPF)

• ACC Phase II Update - April 11, 2018 - ACC Phase II starts July 1!
• At a Glance - March 30, 2018
• Senior Dental News - April 2018
• CCHAP Practice Managers Newsletter - April 18, 2018 - includes a ton of good info about Medicaid!

Latest from the CO Dept. of Health Care Policy & Financing (HCPF)

• Accountable Care Collaborative Phase II Update - March 16, 2018
• CICP Communicates - March 29, 2018
• At a Glance - March 30, 2018

Latest from (or about!) the CO Dept. of Health Care Policy & Financing (HCPF)

• ACC Phase II Update - March 2, 2018
• At a Glance - February 2018
• CICP Communicates - March 13, 2018
• CCHAP Practice Manager Newsletter - March 14, 2018
• Accountable Care Collaborative Phase II Update - March 16, 2018

Latest from the CO Dept. of Health Care Policy & Financing (HCPF)

• At a Glance - February 2018
• 2018-19 Primary Care Fund Agency Application Review Meeting, Thursday, March 1, 2018, 10:00 am – 12:00 pm,1570 Grant St., Denver, CO 80203 - Palms Conference Room
Stakeholder Conference Call-In Information: 1-877-820-7831 (U.S. Domestic) or 1-720-279-0026 (Local/International) - Dial room number: 155811# - Wait to be added to conference. Click here for PowerPoint presentation.

Congress Passes Funding Agreement for NHSC!

"With the successful passage of the Continuing Resolution (CR), we are very grateful for your work securing a two year extension to the National Health Service Corps (NHSC), Community Health Centers, and the Teaching Health Centers programs, and the five year reauthorization of the Maternal, Infant, and Early childhood Home Visiting Program.

This action proves that your work has made a difference, and you can be sure that ACU will continue to work to strengthen the NHSC into the future. While we support and applaud Congress for their bipartisan effort on this spending deal, we recognize that significant disparities continue to exist in healthcare access across the country. For example, even though last year more than 10,000 National Health Service Corps members served 10 million people in every state and territory, it would still take an additional 27,000 providers just to meet the existing shortages. Furthermore, the annual budget for the NHSC as it stands is an amount sufficient to fund less than 40% of the applicants willing to serve in areas of provider shortages.

The NHSC has a 40 year track record of success and we applaud Congress for its action to ensure that this crucial program can continue into the future. ACU will continue to seek out additional opportunities to strengthen the National Health Service Corps even further and to continue to improve the health of millions of Americans nationwide.'

Source: Association of Clinicians for the Underserved (ACU).

Latest from the CO Dept. of Health Care Policy & Financing (HCPF)

• SIM Health Elevations - February 2018
• ACC Phase II Update - Feb. 14, 2018

Colorado interChange: Week of February 15, 2018

As the Colorado interChange moves toward normal operations, we'll be broadening the focus of this newsletter to bring you hot topics and useful information on a larger variety of issues related to Health First Colorado (Colorado's Medicaid Program) and other initiatives from the Department of Health Care Policy & Financing (the Department). We'll continue to focus on issues we believe your members we be discussing and resources to share.

Provide Buzz on the Colorado interChange: As a reminder, new training materials are available on the Department's website. Updated training materials have been posted to the Provider Training web page, under the Billing Training and Workshops drop-down section. New materials include Beginning Billing Workshop CMS 1500 and Beginning Billing Workshop UB-04. FAQs for multiple service locations are now available on the Department's website. If you have questions about requirements for providers with multiple service locations or how to enroll and bill for service locations separately, check out the FAQs here. Other Topics If you haven't had the chance already, take a moment and meet our new executive director. Kim Bimestefer has an extensive background in health care and has been leading the Department since her appointment by Gov. John Hickenlooper in January. The next iteration of the Accountable Care Collaborative (ACC) is scheduled to begin July 1, 2018. The goals of the next phase are to improve member health and reduce costs. In November 2017, the Department announced the awards for the seven Regional Accountable Entity (RAE) contracts. The Department has made available the proposals from each of the awarded entities on CO.gov/HCPF/ACCPhase2. Recorded Webinars Online Now ACC Phase II Implementation Process Overview Recorded Webinar Webinar Slides  ACC Phase II: Provider Contracting (What Providers Need to Know) Recorded Webinar Webinar Slides

Quick guides and webinars can help with Provider Web Portal questions   Quick guides and webinars developed to support you in using the new Provider Web Portal and in getting questions answered are constantly being updated on the Colorado Department of Health Care Policy and Finance website. While these quick guides aren't a substitute for provider-specific questions that should be directed to the Provider Services Call Center (1-844-235-2387), they do provide help on a variety of key topic areas and as well as other areas on which providers have indicated they need addition information.   The Department is always interested in your feedback on other educational resources that could be added. You can provide your Regional Field Representative with ideas for additional educational materials as well as local training support topics.

Congress Closes in on a Funding Agreement for the NHSC!

CLICK TO TAKE ACTION!

"Thank you for your tireless efforts in our campaign to ensure long-term funding for the NHSC and other vital health programs like Community Health Centers and Teaching Health Centers. Over 10,000 emails and hundreds of tweets were directed to Members of Congress and had a significant impact: Last night, the House passed a Continuing Resolution (CR) to extend non-defense spending until March 23. The House bill contains a two-year extension to health programs whose funding expired over 125 days ago, including The National Health Service Corps, Community Health Centers, Teaching Health Centers. This is promising news, however the House CR has been amended in the Senate. The Senate Bill also contains an extension for the above mentioned health extenders but negotiations over the amount of funding for these programs are still underway. The draft currently includes a funding increase for some programs and level funding for the NHSC (page 323). The Senate bill will be voted on this morning and head back to the House again for another vote. While we remain optimistic that an agreement is close at hand, at this point nothing is certain. Please keep up your tireless advocacy and encourage your colleagues to do the same!" Source: Association of Clinicians for the Underserved.

#FundCHIPColorado

2/7/18 CHIP Coalition Update:

"U.S. Senate leaders announced an agreement to fund the federal government, which must pass by midnight tomorrow to avoid another government shutdown. The U.S. House passed a stopgap funding bill yesterday, which will be struck and replaced by the Senate deal. Therefore, there will need to be a Senate vote and then a House vote on the Senate deal before it could be signed by the President.

The Senate agreement is rumored to include an additional 4 years of funding for CHIP, for a total of 10 years of funding. The deal is also rumored to include 2 years of funding for Community Health Centers and 5 years of funding for MIECHV/home visiting. It is also rumored to include cuts to the Prevention and Public Health Fund.

You can read more about the agreement in these articles from Vox, the New York Times, and Politico."

Latest from the CO Dept. of Health Care Policy & Financing (HCPF)

• At a Glance - January 31, 2018
• FY 2018-19 Primary Care Fund (PCF) application with timeline and important dates
• ACC Phase II: Check out the "What Providers Need to Know" recorded webinar!

Colorado interChange: Week of January 29, 2018

As the Colorado interChange moves toward normal operations, we'll be broadening the focus of this newsletter to bring you hot topics and useful information on a larger variety of issues related to Health First Colorado (Colorado's Medicaid Program) and other initiatives from the Department of Health Care Policy & Financing (the Department).

Provider Buzz

Here's a look at hot topics for providers and others: An updated and downloadable versions of the July 2017 Fee Schedule Data File (1/18) and the July 2017 Fee Schedule Instructions (1/18)have been posted to the Provider Rates & Fee Schedule web page, under the Health First Colorado Fee Schedule drop-down section. Providers are reminded to verify coverage under Benefit Details (example shown here) on the Provider Web Portal before rendering services. The Alternative Benefit Plan (ABP) is an extended plan which must be accompanied by Medicaid State Plan (TXIX) coverage. If the member does not have TXIX coverage, they are not eligible for services and claims will be denied for EOB 3261 - "The procedure code currently is not a benefit for date of service billed. Refer to the CPT or the HCPCS listing for valid procedure codes." For detailed, step-by-step instructions on verifying member eligibility, refer to the Verifying Member Eligibility - Provider Web Portal Quick Guide, available under the Quick Guides section on the interChange Resources web page. The Department has recently updated training resources on the Provider Training web page, under the Billing Training and Workshops drop-down section. The update materials include Beginning Billing Workshop CMS 1500 and Beginning Billing Workshop UB-04. For Tax Year 2017 providers may receive two 1099 Miscellaneous Income (1099-MISC) forms from the State of Colorado due to implementation of the Colorado interChange in March 2017. Specifically, if a provider was enrolled in Colorado Medicaid for the period January - February 2017, they will receive a 1099-MISC form from the State of Colorado, Office of the State Controller. Providers enrolled in Colorado Medicaid for the period March - December 2017, will receive a 1099-MISC form from the Department of Health Care Policy and Financing. The amounts shown on the 1099's are what the Department has reported to the IRS. Other hot topics from the Department Federal funding for the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) was renewed for six years. This means the Child Health Plan Plus (CHP+) program will continue in Colorado. CHP+ members will begin receiving letters the week of January 29, 2018 notifying them the program will continue. You can find more information, including sample letters, at the Future of Child Health Plan Plus website.

News You Can Use

New Fee Schedules and instructions available now An updated and downloadable versions of the July 2017 Fee Schedule Data File (1/18) and the July 2017 Fee Schedule Instructions (1/18) have been posted to the Provider Rates & Fee Schedule web page, under the Health First Colorado Fee Schedule drop-down section. Updated information includes downloadable data files for all updated fees.

Latest from the CO Dept. of Health Care Policy & Financing (HCPF)

• FY 2018-19 Primary Care Fund (PCF) application with timeline and important dates
• No Show Surveys:The Accountable Care Collaborative (ACC) Program Improvement Provider & Community Issues (P&CI) Subcommittee is gathering data statewide in response to ongoing concerns about the medical, operational and financial impact of No Show appointments on practices and on patients.  The appointed workgroup hopes to obtain an accurate snapshot of the current No Show issue in Colorado and provide recommendations to the ACC Program Improvement Advisory Committee to address this issue.
  
  There are two surveys: one for practice sites and one for members (in both English and Spanish). The provider survey was developed and reviewed by primary care providers and other P&CI subcommittee members, and the member survey was reviewed and piloted by the Department of Health Care Policy & Financing’s Member Experience Advisory Council.
  
  All surveys are anonymous and will not impact any practice or member in any way.  Practices who wish to identify and share policies will be able to do so, but specific practices will not be reported in the outcomes.
  
  On February 16^th, the workgroup will begin tabulating responses and report back to the Provider & Community Issues Subcommittee meeting in March with observations and recommendations. These will be available in the meeting documents and minutes. More information about the ACC Program Improvement Advisory Committee and Subcommittees can be found here.
  
  Provider Survey: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/PCINoShowSurvey-ProvidersMember Survey (English): https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/NoShowSurvey-Members-English
  Member Survey (Spanish): https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/NoShowSurvey-Members-Espanol Completion Deadline: Friday, February 16, 2018

Tell Congress to Fund the NHSC, Health Centers by Feb 8th Deadline!

The recent government shutdown has shown us that our patients ability to access healthcare is in political crossfire. Currently, a Continuing Resolution (CR) has been passed to temporarily fund the government.

Congress is now tasked with putting together and passing a budget to fund federal programs by the Feb 8th deadline--otherwise, we face yet another shutdown. This budget legislation serves as the perfect vehicle through which Congress can act on funding the National Health Service Corps and other vital healthcare access programs.

We must seize this opportunity and act.

From now till Feb 8th, we need to get loud and demand that Congress:

• Fully funds critical health programs like the The National Health Service Corps (NHSC), Health Centers Program, and Teaching Health Centers in their budget.

The NHSC and Health Centers Program have both had long-standing bipartisan support. Congress needs to fully fund critical health access programs like the NHSC and Health Centers and Teaching Health Centersimmediately.

Please CONTACT your officials now!

Source: Association of Clinicians for the Underserved