What's happening on the national level with health care?

Although there are lots of conversations taking place on many fronts about the fate of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) and what might, or might not come next, we really know nothing for sure yet. To that end, however, please be aware of a few important Colorado efforts relative to federal health policy:

• The Colorado Health Institute has launched a federal health policy project called 'Re: ACA'.
  
  
• The Colorado Consumer Health Initiative is coordinating a newly formed Protect our Care Colorado Campaign. Click here to join the coalition & consider attending the March 7, 9:00-11:00am coalition meeting to learn more about what is happening at the federal level on key health policy issues and how advocates can work together to protect the programs that are vital to our health care system. Also, be sure to check out  the Protect Our Care Colorado Toolkit! 

• The newly formed Colorado Health Policy Coalition is a broad & diverse group of stakeholders dedicated to proactively positioning Colorado to shape the federal conversation about the future of health care in America."The goals of this effort were to (a) educate, engage and serve as a resource to coordinate and support advocacy efforts of a broad cross-section of stakeholders and (b) help influence/shape the thinking of Colorado’s state and federal lawmakers’ about impending changes in federal health policy. Specifically, we coalesced around the goal of ensuring that policymakers do not repeal the Affordable Care Act without a clear path forward for an alternate health policy framework for our country that is rational, practical and grounded in shared values. The coalition has an informal Steering Committee and is being supported by Cody Belzley & Michele Ames through funds from the Denver Metro Chamber of Commerce, Colorado Hospital Association & Colorado Health Foundation." 

ACA Pediatric Dental Benefit Webcast

“This webcast, on December 18th at 9:00am, will cover issues that consumer assisters and oral health stakeholders in Regional VIII should consider to ensure that all children have access to affordable, high quality dental coverage.  Topics include:

• Overview of ACA Pediatric Dental Benefit
• Marketplace Coverage in Region III:  Benchmarks, Participating Dental Plans, and Optimal Benefit Design
• Providing Consumer Assistance Regarding Covered Benefits, Service Limits, and Out-of-Pocket Expenses
• Consumer Protections, Network Adequacy, and Tracking Consumers’ Experience

Colin Reusch, Senior Policy Analyst with the Children’s Dental Health Project will facilitate the webinar.  If you plan to join the webcast, please pre-register.  To access the webcast on December 18th, go to http://services.choruscall.com/links/hrsa131218.html.”  [Source:  Oral Health Colorado]

Keeping Pace with the Affordable Care Act: What You and Your Clients Need to Know

Webinar on Tuesday, October 29th, 2013 from 1:30-2:20pm EDT. Register for this Webinar Now!

The Affordable Care Act (ACA) was enacted in March 2010 and was upheld by the Supreme Court two years later. This workshop examines key provisions of ACA as it relates to older adults and younger adults with disabilities. We'll review Medicaid expansion, care coordination for individuals dually eligible for Medicare and Medicaid, and how the Health Insurance Marketplace works, including open enrollment which began on October 1 and what consumer assistance will be available in each state.

Join us for this timely and interesting briefing in order to . . .

• Discover how the Affordable Care Act affects people with Medicare & Medicaid, as well as those without insurance
• Hear the latest on the law's Medicaid expansion and Health Insurance Marketplace
• Learn what all this means for you and the older adults you serve

Our presenter for this webinar will be Leslie Fried. Ms. Fried is the director of the National Center for Benefits Outreach & Enrollment and director of policy and programs at the National Council on Aging (NCOA). Webinars in this series are free to IlluminAge clients and friends. Attendance is first come, first served.”  [Source: COPrevent]

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]

New Colorado.Gov/Health Website

Colorado.Gov/Health has a new website to help Coloradans prepare for health insurance changes in Colorado. "We're here to help you find answers to your questions about the new health care laws and what they mean to you. We put the resources you need at your fingertips so you don't have to navigate multiple state agencies websites." [Source: colorado.gov/health]

PEAK Webinars and ACA Training

“New PEAK Application Walk-Through Webinar available:

• September 16 at 1:00pm
• October 14 at 1:00pm
• November 11 at 1:00pm
• December 9 at 1:00pm

October Enhancements Webinar available:

• September 17 at 2:00pm
• September 25 at 2:00pm
• September 26 at 1:00pm
• October 2 at 2:00pm

Intro to PEAK Webinar available:

• November 6 at 9:00am
• December 4 at 9:00am

Reminder:  The Department of Health Care Policy and Financing is conducting Regional Trainings in conjunction with PEAK and Covering Kids and Families to deliver Community Partner training to Certified Application Assistance Sites (CAAS), Presumptive Eligibility (PE) Sites and other community organizations.  The Community Partner Regional Trainings will be two days and will be help concurrently with the Regional Trainings for County and Medical Assistance Sites across the state.  HCPF is also offering 3-day Medical Assistance (MA) and County ACA Trainings.  Click here for more information on these trainings. “ [Source:  PEAK]

ACA Training for Community Partners, CAAS, & PE Sites

“The Department of Health Care Policy and Financing (HCPF) is conducting Regional Trainings in conjunction with our partners at PEAK and Covering Kids and Families to deliver Community Partner training to Certified Application Assistance Sites (CAAS), Presumptive Eligibility (PE) Sites and other community organizations. The Community Partner Regional Trainings will be two days and will be held concurrently with the Regional Trainings for County and Medical Assistance Sites across the state.

The Community Partner Regional Trainings are geared towards individuals and organizations that assist potential clients through the application process. These trainings are to help build a common understanding of key elements of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) and Colorado's ACA implementation plan, and to strengthen community organizations' capacity to help families understand the application process, benefits potentially available to them, and tools to manage their benefit account. These trainings will not impact the certification or re-certification for CAAS and PE sites but are recommended for CAAS and PE to attend to learn about the implementation of the ACA.  Sessions will cover:

• an ACA overview,
• changes in Medicaid and CHP+  policy,
• Connect for Health Colorado,
• systems interactions, PEAK,
• the new Medicaid/CHP+ application,
• and information for CAAS and PE sites.

Registration is free and will be first come, first serve. Attendees can participate in any of the seven trainings and are not limited to attending the training in their area. Breakfast and lunch will be provided each day to all attendees. Mileage will not be reimbursed.

Dates and Locations:  (Please note: Community Partners , CAAS, & PE Sites should sign up for the following trainings only.  HCPF's 3-day MA and County Training are limited to MA and county staff and require pre-training and access to CBMS.)

• Sept. 4-5, 2013: Loveland - Embassy Suites
• Sept. 5-6, 2013: Pueblo - Pueblo Convention Center
• Sept. 9-10, 2013: Sterling - NE Junior College
• Sept. 10-11, 2013: Alamosa - Inn of Rio Grande
• Sept. 18-19, 2013: Crested Butte - Crested Butte Mountain Resort
• Sept. 19-20, 2013: Glenwood Springs - Ramada Inn
• Sept. 23-24, 2013: Denver - Location TBD

Register HERE for the Community Partner Trainings. Please contact Stephanie Brooks (sbrooks@cchn.org) with questions.

MA and County Trainings: To register for HCPF's 3-day Medical Assistance (MA) and County ACA Trainings,  click HERE. *Please note the MA/County trainings are managed by a different registration system than the community partner trainings.  [Source:  PEAK]

Preparation by Colorado Community Clinics for Anticipated Increases in Patient Volume in 2014

View the final report:  Preparation by Colorado Community Clinics for Anticipated Increases in Patient Volume in 2014:  a Survey.

ACA Impact on Safety Net Providers

"The HRSA Office of Policy Analysis prepared a slide presentation on the Potential Impacts of the Affordable Care Act on Safety Net Providers in 2014.  Download the presentation in PDF form here."  [Source:  ACU]

New NASHP Fact Sheet: Engaging Safety Net Providers in Expanded Coverage

Download - Engaging Safety Net Providers in Expanded Coverage:  Tips on Enhancing Billing Capacities

"Safety net providers can play a role in providing access for the 20 million individuals that will newly gain insurance under the Affordable Care Act (ACA).  However, many of these providers will need to initiate, expand, or strengthen their abilities to interact with third-party payers to continue to provide care in a new health coverage environment.  This new NASHP fact sheet discusses key steps that payers, including state Medicaid staff, can assist with or that safety net providers can take to prepare for third-party reimbursement.  Click here for more information about NASHP's safety net work."  [Source:  NASHP]

[Webinar] The Health Care Law 101 (in English and Spanish)

"A presentation on the main provisions in the Affordable Care Act, the health care law, and how to access care in your community in Spanish. Information on the Health Insurance Marketplace and how to get updates on implementation of the law will be shared."  [Source: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services]

• May 21 at 3:00 pm ET  (in Spanish)  Click here to register.
• May 23 at 2:00 pm ET (in English)  Click here to register.

Affordable Care Act at 3: Federal investments in coverage, consumer protection and prevention

The Colorado Center on Law and Policy is marking the third anniversary of health care reform by exploring the various benefits and aspects of the law in a series of reports: The Affordable Care Act at 3. When fully implemented, the law will fundamentally transform the American health care system, providing affordable, quality health insurance to 30 million otherwise uninsured Americans....Part Four of the series highlights the investments in health care at the state and local level that Congress included as part of the ACA. In total, Colorado has received nearly $400 million in federal grants made available by the ACA. These investments are helping to expand coverage, protect consumers and promote prevention throughout Colorado...Click here to read the report.  [Source: Colorado Center on Law and Policy]

Department of Health Care Policy and Financing Newsletters

The April At a Glance publication provides updates from the Colorado Department of Health Care Policy and Financing.  Also, the latest issue of ACA Implementation News is now available.

ACA's Opportunities for Improving Care Quality & Efficiency: Part Three

HIMSS has developed a FREE three part series exploring how the healthcare reform bill will transform mandates into real world patient care. Each session builds on the content from past sessions, which are available on demand.  Details on the third and final session can be found below.

When: Wednesday, May 15, 2013, 10:00am-12:45pm Central Time
Agenda includes:

• Administrative Simplification and Operating Rules: An Update.  10:00 a.m. - 10:45 a.m. Central Time
• Gaining ROI By Implementing Federal Operating Rules.   11:00 a.m. - 11:45 a.m. Central Time
• Consumer Access to Data and the State Insurance Exchanges: An Update.  12:00 p.m. - 12:45 p.m. Central Time

Link:  ACA’s Opportunities for Improving Care Quality & Efficiency: A Three-Part Series

[Source: National Rural Health Resource Center]

[Webinar] The Health Care Law and Health Disparities

When: April 29 at 2:00 pm ET

"The health care law, the Affordable Care Act, includes many provisions that address health disparities. The law also provides many benefits for Latinos, African Americans, Asian and Pacific Islanders and more. Join Acacia Salatti, Acting Director of the HHS Partnership Center, and other health experts in learning more about the Affordable Care Act and health disparities."  Click here to register.  [Source: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services]

Briefs on the Colorado Medicaid Expansion

Medicaid expansion will change the health insurance status of many Coloradans and how they access care.  Learn about the expansion in the issue briefs below.

"The Affordable Care Act (ACA) provides financial incentives for states to increase the number of  people eligible for Medicaid – the federal state health insurance program. But while the health care law required states to implement the expansion or face a penalty, a ruling by the U.S. Supreme Court made the expansion optional – and the subject of vigorous public policy debate.

Expanding Medicaid in Colorado would affect many Coloradans across a wide spectrum of circumstances..."  Click here to read the full brief.  [Source: Colorado Health Institute]

"The CHAS data provide insight into who Colorado Medicaid enrollees are and how they access and use health care. Medicaid is a valuable program that provides health coverage for low-income Coloradans, some of whom have great health care needs. The 2011 CHAS results show that there are opportunities to strengthen and improve the program, as this population faces unique challenges in accessing health care services when compared with those who are covered by employer-sponsored or individual insurance."  Click here to read the full brief.  [Source: Colorado Health Access Survey]

ACA Meeting in Denver on April 27th

"Affordable Care Act (ACA) meeting scheduled for April 27th. Come learn the myths from the facts about the ACA and get answers to your questions on Saturday, April 27th from 1:00 – 5:00 at Manual Auditorium in Denver. Get more details in the flyer or read the agenda here." This event is hosted by Colorado Black Health Collaborative, the Region VIII Office of Minority Health and the Office of Health Equity. [Source: Colorado Rural Health Center]

Progress-to-date of the adults without dependent children Medicaid expansion

"The currently limited adults without dependent children expansion in Medicaid has been progressing. The maximum number of enrollments has been consistently fulfilled while the waiting pool has been growing an average of 1,000 per month since September 2012.

It is positive to see that people are continuing to apply for benefits. Despite being put into the waiting pool, a connection to CICP in the meantime will assist them with needed care. Additionally, the state will be able to automatically enroll them into benefits on January 1, 2014.

We're pleased that the Department continues to share data on enrollment and we continue to request data on care utilization. Check out our data dashboard showing progress thus far (which excludes this month's expected enrollment increase)..."  Click here to read more.  [Source: Connect Campaign]

Colorado Senate Votes to Expand Medicaid

The state Senate voted Monday to expand government health insurance for the poor, a key part of the federal health-care law known as Obamacare...Under Senate Bill 200, adults making 133 percent of the federal poverty level – $15,282 for a single person – would qualify for Medicaid. The cost to insure the extra people will approach $1 billion a year next year, but the federal government will pay all the costs the first few years.More than 800,000 Coloradans lack health insurance. Aguilar said her bill is projected to cover 187,000 of them...  [Source: COPrevent]

Report Says Experience of CHIP Hints at Impact of Medicaid Expansion on Providers

"Enrollment in public health insurance coverage will expand significantly beginning in 2014. At this time there is only a limited understanding of what happens when an influx of newly insured patients encounters a relatively fixed supply of providers. Will they choose to work longer hours to accommodate the increase in demand? The experience of the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) offers a preview of how providers might respond to the expansion.

According to a report in the Medicare & Medicaid Research Review, researchers from the Government Accountability Office and the Washington-based Center for Studying Health System Change found that the creation of the Children's Health Insurance Program in 1997 did not create a deluge of patients that the nation's pediatricians couldn't handle. Read more here."  [Source: Colorado Rural Health Center]