HHS offers moms knowledge, help and support through a new breastfeeding initiative

"Today, Surgeon General Regina M. Benjamin, MD, MBA announced the launch of It’s Only Natural, a new public education campaign that aims to raise awareness among African American women of the importance of and benefits associated with breastfeeding and provide helpful tips...It’s Only Natural was developed to equip new moms with practical information and emotional support from peers, as well as tips and education about the benefits of breastfeeding and how to make it work in their own lives. All of the material is uniquely crafted for African American women. To learn more about the campaign, visit www.womenshealth.gov/ItsOnlyNatural."  [Source: COPrevent]

Colorado Fact Sheet Shows School Health Center Benefits

"School based health centers provide many benefits to children and communities including better health, improved access to mental health, better chances for academic success, and reduced costs. The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment adapted this fact sheet from the National Assembly on School-Based Health Care and contains additional research findings..."  [Source: COPrevent]

How CHIP Can Help Meet Child Specific Requirements and Needs in the Exchange: Considerations for Policymakers

"There are compelling reasons to consider how the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) can be used as a resource to meet the child-specific exchange requirements of the Affordable Care Act (ACA). With support from the David and Lucile Packard Foundation, NASHP analyzed federal statutes, regulations, and guidance for CHIP and the exchange, and interviewed state and national experts to inform this work. The resulting brief offers options for using CHIP as a tool to inform exchange design and the companion piece compares selected CHIP and exchange requirements to highlight their alignment."  [Source: NASHP]

Delta Dental of Colorado Foundation has funds available for patients in need

The Delta Dental of Colorado Foundation has funds available for children on CHP+ who exceed their $600 max and for those insured by Delta Dental of Colorado who need help with their co-payments.

Below you will find important documents pertaining to this fund,

• Programs Fact Sheet
• Patient Insurance Application ("The Delta Dental of Colorado Fund - Groups 8883/8884 are only for patients who fall within certain income limits. The plans are only available to current Delta Dental subscribers who need assistance with co-payments or CHP+ members who have exceeded their annual maximum. Individuals covered under another carrier's dental plan do not qualify for this coverage.")
• Provider DDCO Fund Enrollment "How To".  For support with this process please contact Moncia Woods at the Delta Dental of Colorado Foundation at  303-889-8607.

For general questions about these programs please contact Colleen Lampron, Senior Program Officer at the Delta Dental of Colorado Foundation.

[Source: Delta Dental of Colorado Foundation]

First-Ever Type 2 Diabetes Guidelines Issued for Children

"With an unacceptable number of children who are overweight and obese in this country, the number of children with Type 2 has increased. Up to a third of diabetes being diagnosed in kids is Type 2, the type of diabetes that usually presents later in life. This has necessitated the first-ever pediatric guidelines for type 2 diabetes (age 10-18 years old) from the American Academy of Pediatrics..."  Click here to read full text. [Source: COPrevent]

"Give Kids a Smile" Day is February 1st!

Give Kids a Smile Day is a day of free education and treatment for kids organized by the Colorado Dental Association every February.  Over 275 dentists across Colorado have registered to participate in Give Kids a Smile Day.  This year it will take place on Friday, February 1st.   Children without dental insurance from families who can't afford dental care qualify for Give Kids a Smile appointments.  Click here to learn more about this special opportunity including further details about patient eligibility and how to make an appointment.

Connecting Kids to Coverage Outreach and Enrollment Grant Opportunity and Important Information on Key Medicaid and CHIP Provisions of the American Taxpayer Relief Act of 2012

"We are pleased to announce that today the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) issued a solicitation for applications for Connecting Kids to Coverage Outreach and Enrollment Grants.  Please see the attachment for more information as well as information about key Medicaid and CHIP provisions of the American Taxpayer Relief Act of 2012."  Click here to learn more about this grant opportunity.  Deadline for applications is February 21, 2013. [Source: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services]

Connecting Kids to Coverage Outreach and Enrollment Grants

"Navigators and In-Person Assistance Programs have been getting all the attention lately, but the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) recently issued information about a new grant opportunity that might also be of interest to outreach and enrollment stakeholders: the Connecting Kids to Coverage Outreach and Enrollment Grants. These grants are available to groups that conduct outreach to get children enrolled in Medicaid and CHIP...

Proposals should focus on one of five core areas:

•     School-based outreach
•     Bridging health coverage disparities
•     Targeting enrollment strategies to streamline enrollment for individuals participating in other public benefit programs
•     Application assistance
•     Training communities to help families understand the new application and enrollment systems

CMS is hosting teleconferences this month for anyone who wants to learn more about this opportunity. You can find teleconference times and registration details here.

Interested in applying for a grant? Be sure to read the full solicitation, and submit a letter of intent to CMS by January 29. Proposals are due February 21." Click here to read original text.  [Source: Enroll America]

Webinars: Medicaid and CHP + Policy Changes

Pending approval from the Medical Services Board, January 2013 will bring policy changes for CHP+ and Medicaid.  The Colorado Rural Health Center will have an in-depth discussion about the policy changes, and question / answer period around these topics.

• Aligning Medicaid Eligibility for Children at 133% FPL
• Increasing Medicaid Income Eligibility for Pregnant Women
• CHP+ HMO Enrollment
• Elimination of CHP+ at Work Program
• Children of State Employees to be Eligible for CHP+

Register for a webinar session now by clicking a date below:

•  Tue, Dec 4, 2012 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM MST
•  Wed, Dec 5, 2012 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM MST
•  Thu, Dec 13, 2012 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM MST

Class: Being a Voice for Your Child with Special Healthcare Needs

Do you want more information on how you can be a voice for your child at home, in the doctor’s office, or in a patient room? Attend this event to make sure you know what to ask your physician and when it is time to ask for a second opinion. 

Who: Matthew Vitaska, Jim Koontz, Patty Skolnik
When: Tuesday, October 9, 6:30 – 8pm
Where: Mt. Yale Conference Room, 2nd floor Conference Center, Children’s Hospital Colorado (13123 E. 16th Ave., Aurora, CO 80045)

This event is free, but space is limited, so reserve your spot today! For all questions please call 720-777-6253

2012 Kids' Health Annual "Check Up"

Each year, Children’s Hospital Colorado works at the State Capitol to help pass laws that are good for kids’ health. The regular 2012 legislative session ended on May 9^th, so it’s time for Children’s Hospital Colorado annual “check-up” on how children’s issues fared at the legislature this year.

Please join Children’s Hospital Colorado to learn how kids’ health fared this legislative session!

WHAT: 2012 Kids’ Health Annual “Check-Up”

WHEN: Monday, May 21, Noon – 1pm

WHERE: Children’s Hospital Colorado Main Campus, Mt. Yale, 2^nd Floor Conference and Education Center

WHO: Children’s Hospital Colorado Government Affairs Team

This event is free, but space is limited, so click here to register today!

Lunch will not be provided, but you are welcome to bring a meal with you.

Webinar: The Future of CHIP and Children's Coverage

Monday, May 14, 2012; 2:00 - 3:00 pm (EDT)

The National Academy for State Health Policy is hosting a two-part May Webinar series on children’s coverage and health reform. In this first webcast, Catherine Hess, Managing Director at NASHP, will present key considerations outlined by CHIP Directors that policymakers should take into account when making health policy decisions that may affect children’s coverage now and into the future. Next, Stan Dorn, Senior Fellow at the Urban Institute Health Policy Center will outline future coverage options for low-income children based on findings from research conducted in California.

For more information, please contact Hannah Richardson: hrichardson@nashp.org.

Friday, February 3 is Give Kids a Smile Day

On February 3, dentists across Colorado will give kids a smile by providing free dental care. Over 200 dentists across Colorado have registered for Give Kids a Smile Day to provide free dental attention to children who are without dental insurance and from low-income families. Treatment and education will be provided in private dental offices, dental clinics and schools across the state.

To qualify for a Give Kids a Smile Day appointment, the child/family must meet ALL 5 of the following criteria:

• The child needing an appointment must be 17 years old or younger.
• The family must be low-income and unable to afford dental care. 
• The child must be dentally uninsured (no dental insurance or CHP+ coverage). 
• The family must have transportation to get to the appointment. 
• The family must be able to show-up at the appointment on time.

For a list of available appointments across Colorado, please go to www.cdaonline.org/gkaspatient.

This Webpage will be updated frequently, so please check back regularly for updated information and new appointment listings. This page will also contain a printable version of all appointment listings for your convenience.

Open enrollment for child-only Colorado Health Insurance plans began Jan.1

Open enrollment for child-only Colorado health insurance plans began Jan. 1, 2011 and lasts until the end of the month. Get them insured, no matter what their preexisting condition.This is only one of two yearly opportunities. The open enrollment period from Jan. 1-31 will see most policy coverage begins March 1.

A child-only health policy means there is no adult on the individual policy. There can be many scenarios for this type of policy: the parents may be insured through an employer-sponsored plan which does not offer dependent coverage; or the family may not be able to afford coverage for all members, and is seeking coverage for the children only.

Children who lose coverage due to a qualifying event can obtain child-only coverage by applying within 30 days of the event. Qualifying events include birth, adoption, marriage, dissolution of marriage, loss of employer-sponsored coverage, loss of Medicaid or Children’s Basic Health Plan coverage, or entry of a court or administrative order mandating coverage. Outside of a qualifying event, a child-only policy can be applied for only during an open enrollment period.

Below is a list of companies that are participating in the program. By clicking on the company name you will be taken to their standard information entry form. Enter your individual information to find out more about each companies child-only plans.

Kaiser
Cigna
Humana
Rocky Mountain Health Plans
Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield
Golden Rule