Opportunity for ClinicNET affiliates to join the HCPF Medicaid eConsult Test Group for Rheumatology

“The Department of Health Care Policy and Financing is starting a new eConsult program test group that is designed to use an online electronic consultation system built into CORHIO’s health information exchange. The system enables primary care providers and physician specialists to easily discuss care for Medicaid clients and securely share health information (medical records, lab results, imagery, etc). HCPF is establishing a small test group with Rheumatologists from UCHealth and Denver Health as well as about 10 PCMP practices/clinics to evaluate the system.

This test group would help with rheumatology access for some clients and also help the evaluate the eConsult system. The Department will be paying PCMPs $10 for each eConsult and the only requirement is that the practice must already be registered with CORHIO. The flexibility of this program allows it to fit into the current workflows of any providers, referral coordinators and/or staff that would be involved. The eConsult test is an available resource to be used whenever it’s helpful; no big commitment required from participants.

If you are interested in participating, please contact JD Belshe at JD.Belshe@state.co.us or 303.866.2184, or Matt Vedal at Matt.Vedal@state.co.us.” [Source: HCPF]

Loan Repayment Opportunity for ClinicNET Safety Net Clinics – application cycle opens Jan. 1

The application cycle for the Kaiser Permanente Education Loan Repayment for Safety Net Clinical Support Staff program opens January 1 until Janury 31, 2016. Please pass this opportunity along to appropriate supervisors and support staff. 

The Colorado Community Health Network (CCHN) was funded by the Kaiser Permanente Community Health Fund to administer a loan repayment program for clinical support staff working at ClinicNET Safety Net Clinics, Community Health Centers (CHCs), and Rural Health Clinics in Colorado.  Loan repayment will help ease the burden of prior educational debt for clinical support staff in exchange for a one year service commitment to the safety net clinic.  The Kaiser Permanente Educational Loan Repayment for Safety Net Clinical Support Staff program will help modernize and expand the safety net workforce by supporting recruitment and retention of high performing clinical support staff committed to serving in underserved areas. Clinical support staff may include professions such as dental assistant, dental hygienist, expanded duties dental assistant, lab technician, licensed practical nurse, medical assistant, nursing aide, pharmacy technician, phlebotomist, licensed practical nurse, registered nurse, ultrasound technician, and x-ray technician.

For questions, please contact Margaret Davidson at 303-867-9514 or at MDavidson@cchn.org or contact Angela Rose at 303-867-9511 or at Angela@cchn.org.

Accountable Care Collaborative Phase II Update

“The Department of Health Care Policy and Financing is looking to consult with stakeholders on the future of the AccountableCare Collaborative (ACC). The ACC is the Department's primary delivery system for health care services and supporting the health of our clients. The Department is committed to creating a high-performing delivery system that is cost-effective, delivers quality services and improves the health of Coloradans. Stay informed on ACC Phase II development by signing up for HCPF’s updates by joiningthe mailing list.

New Resource: The Department has developed a new resource for stakeholders that highlights the key concepts in the ACCPhase II Concept Paper. Check out our two-page KeyConcepts Fact Sheet available at Colorado.gov/HCPF/ACCPhase2.

Submit Your Questions & Feedback: The Department seeks to ensure all stakeholders have access to the same information about the Phase II process, thus we will use the questions we receive via email and at stakeholder meetings to regularly update our frequently asked questions and enhance our ACC Phase II page. Usethis form to submit your questions and feedback online.” [Source: HCPF]

Safety Net Advisory Committee Discusses the Future of the Accountable Care Collaborative

“The Colorado Health Institute's Safety Net Advisory Committee (SNAC) dedicated its final two learning labs of 2015 to studying planned changes for the Medicaid Accountable Care Collaborative (ACC). CHI wants to help people prepare to contribute to the debate over the new ACC in 2016. The two most recent editions of Food for Thought provide a recap of the SNAC Lab discussions. Read the October edition and the November edition, or visit CHI's SNAC Lab page for even more background.

In October's meeting, the Department of Health Care Policy and Financing (HCPF) presented an overview of its plans for the next version of the ACC. The presentation sparked a spirited discussion about the role of public health and oral health in the ACC. In November, evaluators from the Colorado School of Public Health shared early results from their study of the ACC, and HCPF officials returned for more discussion.” [Source: CHI]

IRS Form 1095-B to be Sent to Medicaid and CHP+ Members in January 2016

Under the Affordable Care Act (ACA), most individuals are required to have minimum essential coverage (MEC), or pay the individual shared responsibility payment. Because most Medicaid and CHP+ programs count as MEC, individuals enrolled in these programs at any time in 2015 will be receiving Form 1095-B from HCPF as proof of coverage. HCPF is required to use Form 1095-B to report MEC information to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and to Medicaid and CHP+ members so that they are not liable for the individual shared responsibility payment. HCPF will start mailing these forms to members between mid-to-late January 2016, and Feb. 1, 2016. Please remind clients to update their mailing address.

More information on Form 1095-B is available through a recorded webinar, fact sheet, and desk reference for stakeholders posted here under “IRS Form 1095-B: Health Coverage.” For Medicaid and CHP+ member information, go to Colorado.gov/Health/IRSForm1095B. [Source: HCPF]

Campaign to raise Latino awareness of safe, fluoridated tap water

“Colorado Public Radio recently covered a collaborative campaign aimed at letting Latinos know Denver tap water is safe and clean. The Delta Dental of Colorado Foundation is partnering with a community group called Westwood Unidos to get the word out. Many Latino families suspicious of tap water turn to other, less healthy drinks, depriving their children and themselves of the positive health effects of safe, fluoridated water.

The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment recommends communities fluoridate their water supplies and urges all Coloradans to drink safe, fluoridated tap water. Fluoridated water can help reduce cavities in children by as much as 40 percent, avoiding the cost of dental visits and the pain of tooth decay. To learn more, go to Colorado Public Radio or visit the CDPHE fluoride safety web page.” [Source: COPrevent]

Healthy Transitions Colorado Symposium January 15

“You are invited to participate in the third and final Healthy Transitions Colorado Symposium, Cultivating the Network of Care: Fostering Patient and Family Engagement. This event is January 15, 2016, 8am-3:30pm at the Denver Police Protection Association Event Center, 2105 Decatur Street, Denver, CO 80211. Following Keynote Speaker Dr. Eric Coleman, Professor of Medicine and Head of the Division of Health Care Policy and Research at the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, hear provider and patient panels, best practices, and success stories surrounding this multi-faceted topic. Click here to view the agenda for January 15th. To learn more and to register, click here.

Each symposium has been designed to engage your entire community in the process of transitions. The strategically planned working sessions will give your organization a chance to work directly with other organizations in your community to share challenges and develop solutions to best meet the needs of your patients.” [Source: Healthy Transitions Colorado]