Nominate a Community Champion – CCMU Annual Luncheon

“Each year, the Colorado Coalition for the Medically Underserved honors four community members who have made outstanding contributions to improve health care systems and provide care for the medically underserved. The 4 award types are: Physician, Non-Physician Provider, Community Leader/Advocate, and Lifetime Achievement. Please nominate deserving individuals by 5:00pm on August 31, 2015. Awardees receive a $250 donation to their organization and recognition at the September 24, 2015 luncheon. Click here for the nomination form.

CCMU’s annual fundraising luncheon, September 24, 11am-1pm, will feature Thomas Goetz, a digital health expert pioneering the use of data and design to improve consumers’ health care decisions. Prior to writing two critically-acclaimed books and giving two hugely popular TED talks, Goetz was the editor of WIRED magazine. He has served as Entrepreneur-in-Residence for the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, where he created Flip the Clinic, and offers a new vision of health care in the US. Click here to register for the luncheon.” [Source: CCMU]

Colorado Access to Care Index Released

“The Colorado Health Institute and the Colorado Coalition for the Medically Underserved released the Colorado Access to Care Index, a first-ever measurement of whether Coloradans are able to get the health care they need when they need it. The index is designed to help communities across Colorado better understand access to care challenges and to guide conversations about how to address them. Each region as well as the state has  an overall score from one to 10 based on their scores in each of the three components of access — Potential Access, Barriers to Care and Realized Access. All materials, including 21 regional infographics, are now posted here.

Click here to register for a webinar Thursday, April 2 at noon to discuss this new tool. It will provide an introduction to the Colorado Access to Care Index, what it includes, and how to use it.

Save the date for upcoming Safety Net Advisory Committee (SNAC) Labs:

• Track 1 – Accountable Care Collaborative: May 21 and September 17, 2015
• Track 2 – Access to Care: July 16 and November 19, 2015” [Source: CHI]

Nominate a Community Champion!

“The CCMU Annual Luncheon will be held on September 23rd at 11:00am-1:00pm at the Space Gallery (400 Santa Fe Drive in Denver). The theme this year is Health is Connected, highlighted by our keynote speaker Liz Baxter. We aim to inspire change in the health care system with the power of a diverse range of stakeholders since we believe that health is connected. Investing in health helps communities flourish, and its role as a key part of our civic and social infrastructure is absolute. We often say that policy change accompanies community change in order to create more lasting, holistic change, and this event will focus on the collaborative, collective approach to health care systems change. Register here!

Liz Baxter is a seasoned leader and advocate for health and health care. She is currently the executive director of the Oregon Public Health Institute and board chair of Cover Oregon. Throughout her career, Liz has been a leader in recognizing and convening a diverse range of stakeholders to ensure that policy making is the result of valuable public engagement and different perspectives.

Each year, CCMU honors different members of the community who have been champions for the underserved. The Community Champion Awards can be for physicians, non-physician providers, and community advocates. Nominate those you work with who deserve to be recognized and celebrated! Click here for the nomination form. [Source: CCMU]

CCMU 2014 Luncheon

“Improving health in Colorado is the shared responsibility of leaders, policymakers, community members, and businesses. Investing in health is a way to help communities flourish, and its role as a key part of our civic and social infrastructure is absolute. Fixing the health system can’t be achieved by any one organization or even the entirety of the health care sector—it will take a more collaborative, collective approach than ever before.

This year’s annual luncheon will feature Liz Baxter, an experienced leader and advocate for health and health care. She is currently the executive director of the Oregon Public Health Institute and board chair of Cover Oregon. We hope to see you there!

The event will be held September 23, 2014 from 11am-1pm at Space Gallery (400 Santa Fe Drive in Denver). Cost is $50. Click here to register now.” [Source: CCMU]

CCMU 2014 Luncheon

“Improving health in Colorado is the shared responsibility of leaders, policymakers, community members, and businesses. Investing in health is a way to help communities flourish, and its role as a key part of our civic and social infrastructure is absolute. Fixing the health system can’t be achieved by any one organization or even the entirety of the health care sector—it will take a more collaborative, collective approach than ever before.

This year’s annual luncheon will feature Liz Baxter, an experienced leader and advocate for health and health care. She is currently the executive director of the Oregon Public Health Institute and board chair of Cover Oregon. We hope to see you there!

The event will be held September 23, 2014 from 11am-1pm at Space Gallery (400 Santa Fe Drive in Denver). Cost is $50. Click here to register now.” [Source: CCMU]

Social Determinants of Health – Video Released by CCMU

"The Colorado Coalition for the Medically Underserved released a video on November 13th highlighting several factors that interfere with patients’ ability to get health care needs met. Watch the video here, featuring ClinicNET affiliates! These factors, known as social determinants of health, are things like income, education, access to quality food and housing, race, or ethnicity. A patient’s ability to navigate the health care system and get their needs met is defined by these social determinants and their provider’s ability to work with those challenges.

This video aims to increase awareness and empathy among current and future providers, as well as encourage creative thinking to find new solutions to these old problems. We believe that this is key to improving patient outcomes and compliance. We believe that the field of medicine is a science, but the practice of health care is an art that acknowledges the whole of the patient’s life.

You can also view the video on the website here, and you can also review the discussion guide meant to spark a conversation after the video is viewed." [Source: CCMU]

Colorado HealthStory Top Ten & Statewide Community Profile

ClinicNET has worked hard for the past three years as part of Colorado HealthStory, in partnership with the Colorado Rural Health Center and the Colorado Coalition for the Medically Underserved. Colorado HealthStory has collected over 230 stories in 27 counties throughout the state. As we listened to Coloradans tell their health story, we heard ten recurring themes rise to the top – ten things we believe define and describe health care in Colorado. This top ten list is a reflection of Colorado’s own health story, and we’re proud to be able to help tell it. We encourage you to explore and share the Colorado HealthStory Top Ten and the Statewide Community Profile.

CCMU's Annual Luncheon: Health is Local

This year, the Colorado Coalition for the Medically Underserved's luncheon aims to remind us that health is local - it is in our homes, our neighborhoods, and our workplaces - and we must engage our communities to lead the way towards better health.  This event will feature keynote speaker Majora Carter, who is known for her urban revitalization and environmental justice work.  Click here for more information.

When:  Wednesday, September 11th, 11:30am-1:00pm
Where:  Mile High Station
Register Now.

CCMU is also accepting nominations for their Community Champion Awards.  There are four categories:  physician, community leader/advocate, non-physician provider, and lifetime achievement.  Nominate someone now - winners receive a $250 donation for their organization!  [Source:  CCMU]

Connect Campaign Updates

"The Connect Campaign is a collaboration of stakeholders working toward successful coverage and access to care for all of Colorado's Medicaid populations. Conclusion of Legislative Session This legislative session was successful for our vulnerable populations especially with the passage of two new laws: SB 200 enables Colorado to expand Medicaid up to 133% for all adults (parents and adults without dependents) to be implemented in January 2014. SB 242 promulgates a limited dental benefit for all adults on Medicaid, including pregnant women, adults with disabilities, parents, and adults without dependent children (including new expansion populations). A stakeholder process will be formed this summer and fall to detail the benefit, which will begin in April 2014. Email Sheeba Ibidunni to stay informed. Adults without Dependents: Progress & Lessons A new data dashboard can be viewed here on the current limited enrollment of adults without dependent children in Medicaid. Department of Health Care Policy & Financing will be discussing lessons learned with the limited expansion of Medicaid for adults without dependents over the next few months. If you want to attend these meetings or call in, email Sonja Madera. The Connect Campaign is currently working through barriers and opportunities among health care providers so we can maximize readiness as well as recruitment efforts. Let Aubrey know if you have barriers or successes that you'd like to share, or join us at our next meeting in June!" [Source: CCMU]

Looking for Storytellers

Insuring our Future is a broad partnership of organizations that share a common belief in the value of Medicaid to our state’s overall healthcare system and a conviction to work to improve, strengthen, and grow its utility for Coloradans who need it most. As part of their effort, they are working to capture the stories of people served by Medicaid and CHP+. It is their goal to capture the “typical” experiences of individuals and families served by Medicaid and CHP+, including both the positive impact as well as some of the areas in need of improvement.

Insuring our Future wants the stories gathered to be authentic and balanced representations of their experiences. It is their hope that the stories will be easily identifiable by average Coloradans, so they don’t have to be about extraordinary or extenuating circumstances. The stories can be from current, past, or potential future enrollees in Medicaid and CHP+. Insuring our Future is committed to gathering a diverse range of stories including stories from young and old, rural and urban, as well as those served by the different components of Medicaid. Some of these stories may be used to educate Colorado policymakers on the value of Medicaid and CHP+.

Insuring our Future has hired a professional writer and photographer to work with individuals who want to share their story. Ideally, the writer and photographer will meet storytellers in their homes or community and spend a few hours with them to really understand and capture their experiences.

How you can participate:

1. Identify potential storytellers.
2. Refer the storyteller(s) to Aubrey Hill at Colorado Coalition for the Medically Underserved. 

If you have any questions or concerns, please contact Aubrey Hill at 720.583.1760.

Connect Summit 2012: Working Toward a Better Medicaid

"Connect wants to take this opportunity to re-engage with our statewide partners who are so key to this work. We'll be having a lunch summit on December 4th from 11:30am to 4pm at the American Mountaineering Center in Golden.

This will serve as an opportunity to learn from our most recent Medicaid expansion experience and what we need to do to work toward a better Medicaid in Colorado. A draft agenda can be found here.

We are providing lunch at no cost. Please consider joining us for this very important conversation as we move toward an exciting future in Medicaid."  Click here to register.  [Source: The Connect Campaign]

AwDC: Continuing Work & Seizing Opportunities

The Colorado Coalition for the Medically Underserved (CCMU) keeping are close eye on the Medicaid expansion for adults without dependent children (AwDC) and appreciate all your hard work! 

Please continue to do outreach to the potentially eligible and let CCMU know how it's going! HCPF will keep the program at maximum capacity, so those who end up on the wait list will have a chance at coverage.

Visit CCMU's blog for the latest announcement from the Department of Health Care Policy and Financing (HCPF), including their timeline for enrollment through July. 

See below for exciting opportunities:

• The Connect Campaign has put together language to be used when talking directly to those potentially eligible for AwDC. You can access it here and use it in your organizations' communications and outreach. 
• Colorado's online application system (PEAK) has ongoing training opportunities, including application walk-throughs and support calls. Check out more information here. 
• Hunger Free Colorado is offering to send food assistance staff to coordinate with medical-only outreach and applications. They are also willing to provide materials for distribution about food assistance. If you are interested, contact Amanda Garrard (or via phone at 303-228-7959).
• The Hunger Free toll-free (with bilingual assistance!) hotline is always open for anyone to use in finding food resources or assistance with applications at 855-855-4626.

Any questions or suggestions? Let Aubrey at CCMU know!

Adults without Dependent Children now eligible for Medicaid

On April 1, Adults without Dependent Children (AwDC) under 10% of FPL are eligible to apply for Medicaid. Here are some reminders and a list of resources:

• AwDC Eligibility and Enrollment FAQs - The frequently asked questions for AwDC is a working document and will be updated as necessary. 
• AwDC Manual - This comprehensive resource geared toward eligibility staff has program and policy information and examples of client communications.
• Client assistance tools:  
• Client one-page flyer for counties and community partners to post at their sites, which will give high level program information meant to encourage clients to ask relevant questions. 
• Client Correspondence Summary - A guide to indicate which letters/communications clients may expect with reference to Version 2.0 of the AwDC Manual.

Questions? Please contact Andrea Skubal at HCPF or Aubrey Hill at CCMU.

Colorado HealthStory Park Hill Forum

Join ClinicNET and Colorado HealthStory at a community forum to hear the health stories of Park Hill residents and join the conversation about health in the community! The forum will be held at the Hope Community Center at 3475 Holly Street in Denver, CO 80207 on Tuesday, April 3 from 5:30-7:30pm.

Light refreshments will be provided.

Please contact Denali.Johnson@ccmu.org or 720-987-9570 for more details.

Filling the holes in Colorado's safety net

This is an excerpt from the Colorado Coalition for the Medically Underserved's blog. Click here to read the full article.

Having health insurance means fewer emergency room visits, less unbearable medical debt, more chronic disease management, and more preventive and primary care services. Many Coloradans who work hard every day to keep our state running—the gas station clerks, the seamstresses, the maintenance workers, the state employees who are not allowed (by state law) to participate in CHP+ for their kids even though their income is low enough—are left to try and find affordable coverage on their own or to utilize the state’s safety net. Our safety net is there to catch those for whom the system isn’t working—it has hundreds of providers who care deeply about our state’s most needy and thousands of programs, clinics, and community organizations doing great work to improve coverage and access; but our safety net is still a net, after all, and nets have holes.

To read the complete article, click here.

Update: Adults without Dependent Children Medicaid Expansion

Guest post by Aubrey Hill, Health Systems Analyst for the Colorado Coalition for the Medically Underserved

The planned Medicaid expansion for low-income adults without dependent children has undergone a few changes in its implementation plans. The program will initially roll out on a limited basis, will only be available for those who have incomes below 10% of the federal poverty level, and will only be available for 10,000 persons. The method of determining who will be the 10,000 is by random selection, as opposed to first come, first serve. All others who would otherwise be eligible will be put on a wait list.

Applications can be first submitted in on April 1 of this year (but if received for processing earlier, the application will be denied), and the first random selection process will be run on May 15. Each month thereafter, if there are spots that happen to open up on the Medicaid program, additional random selection processes will be run to keep the program filled.

This means that all estimated 49,511 adults without dependent children who live under 10% of the poverty level (or single adults earning less than $100 a month, or a couple earning less than $122 a month) will continue to have a chance to get on the program after its initial roll-out. For more information about this program, check out these resources from the state Medicaid agency (HCPF).

While we think it is likely that this program will happen as expected, these new decisions are still pending approval from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) at the federal level.

Also, encouraging folks to apply for this new eligibility category, the hope is that more folks will receive the opportunity to receive other resources they are eligible for such as food and/or cash assistance and CICP. Since clinics presumably are already seeing much of this population, assisting the newly eligible with their benefits and assisting the ineligible with applying for other services will be key to answering the needs of the entire population. To help folks meet their needs outside of Medicaid, check out this list of statewide resources.

Something to Celebrate

Guest Blog Post by Gretchen Hammer, executive director of the Colorado Coalition for the Medically Underserved

All Kids Covered recently released Crossing the Finish Line: Achieving Meaningful Health Care Coverage and Access for All Children in Colorado. The report provides an update on the current status of meaningful health care coverage and access for children in Colorado, and describes the significant progress we have made toward getting our children the health care coverage and services they need.

The good news is that between 2008 and 2010, more than 40,000 children gained coverage, meaning that roughly 90% of kids in Colorado now have health insurance. In addition, most children in Colorado have a usual source of care ― a place where they regularly go to get their health care. We should take a moment to celebrate these great accomplishments and thank the countless people who have contributed to this progress.

Of course, there is still more work to be done. Much of the growth in coverage has come through higher enrollment in Medicaid and CHP+, which is from both policy changes to improve public programs and the economic hardships facing many Colorado families.

Additionally, the most recent estimates suggest that between 112,200 and 124,128 children in Colorado still do not have health insurance. And access to care varies across the state. While fewer than 5% of kids in the metro area, the Eastern Plains and Northwest Colorado do not have a usual source of care, nearly 1 in 13 Southwest Colorado children (7.6%) do not have a usual source of care. That’s too many!

It is not too much to ask that all of Colorado’s kids have access to the health care they need, when they need it. To build on the strong momentum of the last few years, All Kids Covered has outlined five key strategies, and we invite you to read through those on pages 15-17 of the report.

Colorado is 90% of the way there to crossing the finish line and covering all kids. It is going to take all of us working together to ensure that our children will have the coverage and care they need to have healthy and fulfilling lives.

A recorded webinar presenting the report and its findings is available online.

Update on State Medicaid Expansion to Adults without Dependent Children

The Colorado Dept. of Health Care Policy & Financing has made decisions regarding expanding Medicaid coverage to adults without dependent children (AwDC), including when and how the expansion will begin and who will be eligible in the first phase. Please click here to read the update provided by The Colorado Coalition for the Medically Underserved's Connect Campaign. ClinicNET participates in the Connect Campaign and other efforts to educate and help inform policy decisions. We would love to hear your concerns about the expansion and ideas for how the expansion can best move forward. Please email Brooke Powers at brooke.powers@clinicnet.org with your thoughts.

More than 150,000 New Adults to Qualify for Medicaid in 2012 - Are You Prepared?

In 2012, Colorado will be offering Medicaid for adults without dependent children, who have been categorically ineligible for the program in the past. According to the Colorado Health Institute, 157,805 Colorado adults without dependent children with incomes up to 100% of the federal poverty level are currently uninsured and are likely to be eligible for this program.

Thanks to great foresight on the part of our legislature, an historic expansion will occur in the state’s Medicaid program to provide coverage for this population with funding from a hospital provider fee and federal matching dollars. When it is fully implemented, it will cover uninsured adults without dependents between 19 and 65 years of age with incomes of up to $900 a month (for a single adult).

In the interest of ensuring this expansion’s success, the Colorado Coalition for the Medically Underserved has established the Connect to Coverage, Connect to Care Campaign. The Connect Campaign is a group of stakeholder organizations working together to support the expansion as the state works to develop and implement it, and ClinicNET has been playing an active role in this group. The Connect Campaign is following the state’s progress to ensure effective decision-making. When the program goes live, we know we are successful when we see fully functioning systems, effective community outreach efforts, and ready and accepting care providers.

Safety net providers have been a great source of care for this population already, and will likely continue to be, albeit with a different payer source. There may also be some new patients who have never had a continuous source of care before, and may identify a local safety net clinic as such once they gain coverage.

Since we know that this expansion will be happening at some point in the next year, clinics should begin preparations for enrolling current patients who will become newly eligible for Medicaid as well as prepare for the possible influx of new patients. The latter could range from planning to hire new staff or collaborating with other resources in the region to distribute the burden.

By contributing our resources and knowledge ahead of the expansion implementation, we can ensure the successful connection to coverage and care for a good portion of Colorado’s uninsured population.

If you would like to follow the Connect Campaign more closely, you can check out its website, or get on the e-mail distribution list by e-mailing Aubrey Hill. You can also contact her if you have any other questions about the Connect Campaign.

Colorado HealthStory

Colorado HealthStory, a new collaborative project of ClinicNET, Colorado Coalition for the Medically Underserved and Colorado Rural Health Center, is modeled after the award winning public radio program, StoryCorps. Funded by The Colorado Trust and The Colorado Health Foundation Colorado HealthStory will create an appreciation of our shared experiences of health, one conversation at a time, throughout Colorado. We will be reaching out to you soon and plan to begin collecting stories in March. For more information please contact Brooke Powers at brooke.powers@clinicnet.org