HCPF Updates

“Help Improve the HCPF Website:  The Department of Health Care Policy and Financing website will be changing for the better – and we need your help. Please take our brief website survey and give us your feedback by Friday, February 28.

Colorado.gov/HCPF/shareyourstory: The Department needs personal stories about how Medicaid or Child Health Plan Plus (CHP+) has made a positive impact on you, a client or patient. Client stories can help the Department educate other Coloradans about the benefits of health insurance coverage. For more information or if you know of a client that may be willing to share their personal story with us visit Colorado.gov/hcpf/ShareYourStory.

Decommissioning of Old Peak Website on March 16:  The www.peak.state.co.us site with the mountain banner will be decommissioned on March 16, 2014.  This is the old PEAK site that was replaced by the Salesforce site.  Once the site is decommissioned, there will no longer be a redirect to the correct website (http://coloradopeak.force.com), and you will receive an error.  A message regarding the decommissioning of the site will display in English and Spanish when you access the www.peak.state.co.us site and redirect you in 30 seconds to the http://coloradopeak.force.com until March 16, 2014.

Upcoming PEAK Support Call: Wednesday, March 5, 12:00pm-1:00pm. Dial (712) 432-0220 and enter passcode 5642211#

ACA Communications Webinar Online Now: The Department of Health Care Policy and Financing, Division of Insurance and Connect for Health Colorado released a new joint communications webinar.  The new webinar can be found on Colorado.gov/HCPF/ACAResources or by clicking here.

Medicaid Eligibility for Former Foster Care Youth: Qualifying Former Foster Care Youth are now eligible for Medicaid -- regardless of their income -- up to age 26. The Department encourages outreach workers to prompt Former Foster Care Youth to update their address with their county of residence to receive important information. For more information about Former Foster Care Youth Medicaid Eligibility, please see the Department’s Frequently Asked Questions on Colorado.gov/HCPF/ACAResources.

Click here to view the latest ACA Implementation News from February 20th.  This issue provides links to the most recent resources from the Department and important information about PEAK.  It also contains the latest enrollment metrics from Connect for Health Colorado and Medicaid.”  [Source:  HCPF]

New ACA Communications & Training Webinars Online Now

“New ACA Communications Webinar Online Now:
The Department of Health Care Policy and Financing, Division of Insurance and Connect for Health Colorado have released a new joint communications webinar. The webinar discusses how community partners can assist in reaching the uninsured and begin to educate consumers on how to use their coverage. The webinar also provides an overview of the resources available for consumers, partners and providers about the Affordable Care Act, Medicaid expansion, Connect for Health Colorado and the changes to private health insurance.  The new webinar can be found on Colorado.gov/HCPF/ACAResources or by clicking here.

Paper Application Training Online Now:
The Department has just released a new online training on the paper application. The training will guide individuals through the paper application, answer common questions about the paper application and provide tools to assist clients with the application.  You can access the training by going to traincolorado.com or by clicking here. Questions regarding the training should be directed to Patty Montoya at patricia.montoya@state.co.us.

Important Dates to Know:
February 15 is the deadline to select a private health insurance plan through Connect for Health Colorado that will take effect March 1, 2014.  Also, open enrollment for the Connect for Health Colorado marketplace closes on March 31 and won't re-open until November 15. Medicaid enrollment is year-round with no open enrollment periods.”  [Source:  HCPF]

New Resources from HCPF Online Now

"Next Enrollment Metrics Release:  Connect for Health Colorado and Colorado Medicaid will release joint enrollment metrics on January 2, 2014.  This update will include metrics for enrollment through December 31, 2013.

Accountable Care Collaborative Reaches Enrollment Milestone:  The Department recently announced it has enrolled its 400,000th member into the Accountable Care Collaborative (ACC) program.  To view the Department's press release click here and for more information about the ACC click here.

PEAK Instructions Available Online:  The Department has added an additional online resource.  Instructions for printing a Medicaid card, making CHP+ and Medicaid buy-in payments, and completing a redetermination online are available at Colorado.gov/HCPF/ACAResources under the PEAK Resources heading

Resources for Agents & Brokers:  The Department has developed a new set of resources for Agents and Brokers including a webinar and the corresponding slides on PEAK and how to increase the likelihood an application may receive a real time determination.  You can view these new resources here.

Medicaid Benefits Starting Jan. 2014:  Important information has been released about the Medicaid benefits for 2014.  This fact sheet provides an overview of the benefits for current and newly eligible Medicaid clients beginning Janay 2014.

Medicaid Customer Contact Center: You can reach the Customer Contact Center at:

• Toll Free: 1-800-221-3943/TDD: 1-800-659-2656
• Email:  customer.service@hcpf.state.co.us
• Hours of operation:  Monday through Friday, 7:30am to 5:15pm"  [Source:  HCPF]

New Health Care Provider ACA Resource Page and Webinar

“The Department of Health Care Policy and Financing has developed a new Affordable Care Act (ACA) resource page for health care providers. The Department’s ACA Resources for Health Care Providers page is designed to deliver key information about health care reform, the Medicaid expansion and the Connect for Health Colorado marketplace. The resource page will be updated as new information becomes available and additional resources are developed for health care providers.

We also invite all nurses to view a recorded webinar hosted by the Department’s Executive Director Susan Birch, MBA, BSN, RN regarding the ACA. The webinar can be viewed on the ACA Resources for Health Care Providers page here.”  [Source: HCPF]

HCPF Resources, PEAK Campaign, and FAQs

“Resources for Parents:
Beginning in January 2014, more Coloradans may qualify for Medicaid or for new financial assistance to help buy health care coverage through Connect for Health Colorado. We know that most of those newly eligible Medicaid will be parents and adults without children. The Department of Health Care Policy and Financing has developed a brochure to help Coloradans learn about their options as well as a flyer that can help get the attention of parents who may be newly eligible in January for Medicaid.

• Medicaid brochure (English) (Spanish)
• Parent flyer (English) (Spanish)
• Other materials are available for download at Colorado.gov/HCPF/ACAResources

PEAK Campaign:
Beginning in mid-October, the Department of Health Care Policy and Financing launched a targeted marketing campaign for PEAK. The campaign includes English and Spanish radio spots, billboards and online media. Keep your eyes and ears open for the advertisements through November. If you have specific questions regarding the campaign please contact Raina.Paisley@state.co.us.

NEW Frequently  Asked Questions:  
Applicants and community partners can now find additional guidance on the PEAK application at Colorado.gov/Health. On the Colorado.gov/Health FAQ page, you can find answers to your general application questions as well as question and answers specific to the online PEAK application. The FAQs can also be accessed directly from the PEAK site by clicking on Quick Links, then Client FAQs. We will continue to add to these FAQs as well as others about health care reform regularly, so check back often.

NEW ACA Inbox for Stakeholder Questions: 
In an effort to streamline responses, ensure consistency and provide all stakeholders and consumers with timely information, the Department of Health Care Policy and Financing has developed a centralized inbox for health care reform related questions. Questions regarding the implementation of the ACA should be directed to: ACAImplementation@hcpf.state.co.us

All stakeholders should to direct their questions to this inbox. For questions that are not already addressed on Colorado.gov/HCPF/ACAResources or Colorado.gov/Health, the Department will work to answer the question and post the response online in approximately 7-10 business days.” [Source: HCPF]

HCPF Partner & Consumer Resources Available Online

“The Department of Health Care Policy and Financing, in conjunction with Connect for Health Colorado, has developed a handout outlining the key dates consumers need to know.

Drop-in article for your publications or website:
Changes are Coming to Health Insurance in Colorado
Beginning in January 2014, more parents and adults without children will be eligible for Medicaid. If you do not qualify for Medicaid, you may be eligible for financial assistance to help buy health insurance through the Connect for Health Colorado marketplace. Learn more about the key dates you should know here. To find out how you can be prepared for the changes to health insurance in Colorado visit: Colorado.gov/Health

Additionally, the Department has also developed a poster that can be displayed in your offices, download the new Are You Ready Medicaid Take One Poster. To access all of the Department’s partner and consumer resources visit:  Colorado.gov/HCPF/ACAResources.

For more information about private insurance and consumer protections click here. Download the Division of Insurance’s consumer brochure, Better Decisions, Better Prepared, by clicking here.”  [Source: HCPF]

New HCPF Resources Available for Partners and Consumers

New Partner Resources:

• Who Does What in Implementing the ACA
• Client Correspondence for Newly Eligible - This document is to help assist our partners in explaining to applicants for Medicaid, Child Health Plan Plus (CHP+) and financial assistance through the Connect for Health Colorado marketplace what correspondence they can expect to receive, if they apply before the end of November 2013. To view the sample correspondence click on the hyperlinks embedded in the document. We encourage our partners to utilize this flowchart and the accompanying sample client correspondence when working with applicants.
• Colorado Indigent Care Program (CICP) and the Affordable Care Act Fact Sheet - This fact sheet explains the impact on CICP. We encourage our partners to use this fact sheet when speaking with consumers that are currently enrolled in CICP.

New Consumer Resources:

• How to Apply for Insurance
• What You Need to Apply for Insurance
• How to Apply for Insurance (Spanish)
• What You Need to Apply for Insurance (Spanish)
• Important Dates for Connect for Health Colorado and Medicaid (available in English only)

New Videos about Health Care:
Also, check out our two short videos about the changes to health care. Feel free to link to these on your website or share via social media.

• What do I need to do to get ready? You may be wondering, “What do I need to do to get ready for health insurance changes in Colorado?” This animation should help.
• How do I apply for coverage? If you’re currently uninsured you may be wondering, “How do I apply for coverage?” This animation teaches you the basics of applying for insurance coverage with Medicaid and Connect for Health Colorado.

Consumer Site about Health Care
Help us get the word out about the new consumer website Colorado.gov/Health by linking the site in your publications or from your websites. You can find sample promo graphics are here. If you have questions or comments about Colorado.gov/health, please contact Joel.Risberg@state.co.us.” [Source: HCPF]

ACA Communications Updates

New on Colorado.gov/health
Cartoon: How do I apply?

HCPF Customer Service Number
All clients wishing to reach the HCPF Customer Service can now call the toll-free 1-800-221-3943, regardless of where they are in the state. Clients within the Denver metro area will no longer have to use 303-866-3513. The 303-866-3513 Denver metro area number will be retired, clients that call the 303-866-3513 will be directed to the toll-free 1-800-221-3943. The Colorado.gov/HCPF webpages are being updated to reflect this change. Please update any materials you have linked to the Colorado.gov/HCPF site. If you have questions about this change please contact Christine.Comer@state.co.us.

New ACA Consumer Resources
How to Apply for Insurance Handout (Also available in Spanish)
What You Need to Apply (Also available in Spanish)
Important Dates for Connect for Health CO and Medicaid Flyer (Available in English only)

New ACA Partner Resources
What Newly Eligible Can Expect--If Applying in Oct. or Nov. 2013 – This resource includes links to client correspondence examples.
Who Does What in Implementing ACA

Eligibility Site Toolkit for ACA Implementation
This toolkit page is designed to provide key information regarding the implementation of the ACA to eligibility sites including our county partners. It is a one stop shop for implementation updates, provides links to training and other reference materials including Command Center information.

ACA Implementation News
This week’s ACA Implementation News can be found online here.

Connect for Health Colorado
Connect for Health sent a message to consumers out a message earlier this week with information about how to apply for the advanced premium tax credits.  In October, consumers will need to work directly with their Customer Service Center to apply for the tax credit.  More information about their opening day is in the message.”  [Source: HCPF]

Special Addition ACA Implementation Newsletter and ACA Communications Updates

"Click here for the Special Edition ACA Implementation Newsletter from September 23, 2013. In this issue are updates on the progress and available resources related to the Affordable Care Act.

ACA Communications Updates

• The Single Streamlined Application for both Medicaid and Connect for Health Colorado that will be in effect on October 1, 2013 has been posted on our website.
• New Paper Application is ready
• Last week’s ACA News featured articles on training, the new consumer website and content from the Office of Information Technology and Connect for Health Colorado.
• New Cartoon is posted on Colorado.gov/health” [Source: HCPF]

Piton Foundation ACA Campaign

"The Denver-based Piton Foundation, a private, operating foundation that provides opportunities for children and families to move from poverty and dependence to self-reliance, is conducting a statewide public information campaign to help increase awareness about the new health coverage options available under the Affordable Care Act. Starting in October, low- to moderate-income, uninsured and under-insured Coloradans will have the opportunity to enroll in free coverage under Medicaid or purchase quality health insurance through Connect for Health Colorado’s marketplace.

As part of its outreach campaign, Piton has created a suite of educational materials in English and Spanish that organizations can use to help inform clients, patients and other potentially-eligible individuals about these new health coverage options. The materials include information on both the expansion in Medicaid eligibility and the ability for people to purchase lower-cost insurance through Connect for Health Colorado using federal assistance. Piton will provide these materials, which include a tri-fold brochure and poster, to organizations in any quantity needed for no cost.

The brochure and poster can be previewed here. To order printed copies of these materials in any quantity at no cost, please contact Melissa Viola at mviola@piton.org or 303.454.3768."  [Source:  Piton Foundation]