Qualis Health Published Actionable Framework for Integrating Oral Health in Primary Care

“Qualis Health recently published a white paper: "Oral Health: An Essential Component of Primary Care.” This new white paper makes the case for incorporating preventive oral healthcare as a component of routine medical care and structuring referrals to dentistry. The Oral Health Delivery Framework provides a practical method for primary care teams of all types to engage patients and families in the prevention and early detection of oral disease.

All resources are available at: www.QualisHealth.org/white-paper. A short promotional video can be found here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8XPxDSiR9ig&feature=youtu.be” [Source: Qualis Health]

Colorado SIM website launch, press release and Advisory Board meeting

“The SIM Office is thrilled to announce the launch of its new website www.coloradosim.org. While the URL has not changed, the content has been completely redesigned to offer a cleaner, more efficient user experience. Please check back often as updates will continue to be made throughout the next couple of months. We encourage anyone who has feedback on the website to send us an email using the contact us section of the site.

Also check out SIM’s recent press release recognizing commitments made by six Colorado health insurers and the state's Medicaid program to adopt delivery and payment reforms designed to integrate behavioral and physical healthcare, including Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna, Colorado Access, Colorado Choice Health Plans, Rocky Mountain Health Plans and UnitedHealthcare. Click here to read the full press release.

The next SIM Advisory Board meeting is 1-3pm July 6, at the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment, 4300 E. Cherry Creek Dr. S, Denver. It will be held in the Sabin/Cleere conference room on the first floor. Click here to view the agenda. If you cannot attend in person, we hope you will listen to the meeting live by calling 1-866-740-1260 with access code 6201667# and URL https://cc.readytalk.com/r/k9409wko9fny&eom.” [Source: Colorado SIM]

Colorado Crisis Services: Behavioral Health Support for Your Patients – webinar recording

“Click here to view the webinar recording to learn more about the Colorado Crisis Services; which is available to all Coloradans, including providers, and provides confidential and immediate support for mental health, substance use, or emotional help. This webinar will provide:

• An overview of the Colorado Crisis Services from a statewide perspective, and
• Identify how crisis services are accessed and delivered within the following Colorado Medicaid regions for the RCCO and BHO: Weld County and Northeast Colorado; Adams, Arapahoe, and Douglas Counties; and Denver County.” [Colorado Access]

Webinar: Cancer – What’s Alcohol Use Got to Do With It?

“Alcohol use is alarmingly linked to cancer risk. Evidence shows that alcohol consumption can be directly attributed to cancers of the mouth, pharynx, larynx, esophagus, colon-rectum, liver, and breast. While significant links exist between alcohol and cancer, alcohol use is often overlooked as a risk factor for cancer and alcohol control efforts are not given proper focus in the context of cancer prevention.

Community behavioral health care providers can be important partners in state cancer control efforts by educating clients with risky behaviors about the linkages between alcohol use and cancer and healthy behaviors that reduce cancer risk. This webinar July 7, from 12:30 to 2 p.m., will provide information on the linkage between alcohol use and cancer, and discuss ways that primary care and mental health treatment providers can collaboratively address alcohol use and cancer using an integrated care approach. Click here to register.” [Source: COPrevent]

Connect for Health Colorado Updates

• “It’s been a big week for healthcare reform. There was a great deal of relief Thursday with the Supreme Court’s announcement of the King v. Burwell decision. Local media, including Colorado Public Radio,  explained what it means and doesn’t mean in Colorado. Many accounts included a statement from Kevin Patterson, our interim CEO.
• That show stopper came a few days after the release of the National Health Interview Survey. It found that the share of poor Americans who were uninsured declined substantially in 2014. The report found an increasing percentage of the population covered by Marketplace plans. For New York Times coverage, click here.
• Narrow networks are never far from the conversation on affordable coverage. The Colorado Health Institute published a paper this week on network adequacy and the public policy questions around the issue. Read it here.
• The Kaiser Family Foundation put together thoughtful analysis of marketplaces and Medicaid expansion in five states, including Colorado, in this report.” [Source: Connect for Health Colorado]

New Publications from the Department of Health Care Policy and Financing

Click here to view the June edition of At a Glance. This publication provides information on major initiatives including policy changes and program updates.

Click here to view the latest (and final) ACA Implementation News.

Click here to view the July Provider Bulletin. The bulletin covers topics of interest to providers and billing professionals. [Source: HCPF]

Safety Net Clinic Week 2015 Webinar and Toolkit!

Last chance to register for ClinicNET's Safety Net Clinic Week (SNCW) Webinar on July 1, 12:00pm - 1:00pm! 

SNCW 2015 is coming up August 17-21 and we 're helping ClinicNET affiliates prepare and get the most out of the week! Please join us to learn more about SNCW, hear about highlights from prior weeks, and learn how to use this year's toolkit, which will be released on July 1. Stay tuned for more information about SNCW 2015 and click here to register for next week's webinar !