- Medicaid Primary Care Payment Reform - read the survival guide & complete the APM Measure Selection Survey!
- Learn more at CCHAP's upcoming meeting:CCHAP Practice Manager MeetingWednesday January 10thNoon - 1:00PM
(Lunch will be available starting at 11:30AM)Fitzsimons VillageSilverton Conference Room - 6th FloorReadyTalk Web Conference for remote attendees
Medicaid Alternative Payment Model:
Last chance to learn how to make the Jan. 31 deadline for submission of your quality measures
Presenters:
Health Care Policy and Financing staff
Instructions to join the meeting remotely:
1. Open a web browser and enter URL: www.readytalk.com
Enter participant access code: 2093166
2. Dial in by phone for the audio portion of the conference:Enter the participant access code: 2093166
Thursday, December 21, 2017
Are you ready for Medicaid Primary Care Alternative Payment Model?
House Proposes Temporary Funding For NHSC
Update from the Association of Clinicians for the Underserved (ACU):
"New CR Released, NHSC funding through March 2018
The House has released a new Continuing Resolution (CR) proposal that would fund the government through January 19. The proposal would also provide some limited funding to CHIP, Health Centers, and the National Health Service Corps in order to keep those programs operating through March. The NHSC is slated to receive only $65 million in the proposal. The trouble is that Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi says that House Dems will vote against the CR unless they get assurances that they'll get parity between defense and nondefense spending in an end of year budget deal. No such deal has been cut and the current CR expires tomorrow night.
ACU had been cautiously optimistic that a deal to fund the NHSC would be included on the this CR, after Congress passed a Tax Bill and wanted to go home for the holidays. Instead, they passed the Tax Bill and are punting on the rest of these critical health care programs.
HR 1370 Furthering Continuing Appropriations Act
ACU had been cautiously optimistic that a deal to fund the NHSC would be included on the this CR, after Congress passed a Tax Bill and wanted to go home for the holidays. Instead, they passed the Tax Bill and are punting on the rest of these critical health care programs.
HR 1370 Furthering Continuing Appropriations Act
- Bill Text (NHSC funding on page 11)
- Section - by - Section Summary (NHSC in Div. C, section 3101)
We encourage all NHSC advocates to call Congress and say this isn’t acceptable. We can’t fund health professionals in underserved communities month-by-month. We need stability for both recruitment and retention of these critical providers, and this bill is not a compromise for either side. Please find a way to fund the NHSC now, before you leave for the holidays.
To Call Congress, call (202) 224-3121
Ask for your Member or Senators office to be connected"
What's next at the national level with health care reform?
Colorado Health Policy Coalition Update:
"As I'm sure you've seen, the new tax package was passed today, including the provision to eliminate tax penalties for failure to comply with the individual mandate. Here is A Quick Guide to the GOP Tax Plan from Bloomberg News (Dec 18) and the Joint Explanatory Statement from the conference committee. For local analysis, here is an article from The Denver Post (Dec 20), which outlines the potential impact for Colorado.
A lot has been written about how repealing tax penalties of the individual mandate may impact the health care marketplace. Here are just a few perspectives:
The tax bill and the individual mandate: what happened and what does it mean, Timothy Jost, Health Affairs Blog, December 20
How the new U.S. tax plan will affect health care, David Blumenthal, Harvard Business Review, December 19
Repeal the Obamacare mandate, but do it smart, Newt Gingrich, The Hill, December 18
New tax reforms can open health insurance to innovation, John Sarich, The Hill, December 16
How the GOP tax bill will ruin Obamacare, J.B. Silvers, The New York Times, December 4
Also of note, after passage of the tax bill, Senators Susan Collins and Lamar Alexander announced today that efforts to pass "market stabilization" measures would not be taken up in 2017 - see coverage of this development in The Hill - but vowed to make it a priority for early January. It remains to be seen what, if any, other steps will be taken to further revise our federal health policy framework in 2018. "
"As I'm sure you've seen, the new tax package was passed today, including the provision to eliminate tax penalties for failure to comply with the individual mandate. Here is A Quick Guide to the GOP Tax Plan from Bloomberg News (Dec 18) and the Joint Explanatory Statement from the conference committee. For local analysis, here is an article from The Denver Post (Dec 20), which outlines the potential impact for Colorado.
A lot has been written about how repealing tax penalties of the individual mandate may impact the health care marketplace. Here are just a few perspectives:
The tax bill and the individual mandate: what happened and what does it mean, Timothy Jost, Health Affairs Blog, December 20
How the new U.S. tax plan will affect health care, David Blumenthal, Harvard Business Review, December 19
Repeal the Obamacare mandate, but do it smart, Newt Gingrich, The Hill, December 18
New tax reforms can open health insurance to innovation, John Sarich, The Hill, December 16
How the GOP tax bill will ruin Obamacare, J.B. Silvers, The New York Times, December 4
Also of note, after passage of the tax bill, Senators Susan Collins and Lamar Alexander announced today that efforts to pass "market stabilization" measures would not be taken up in 2017 - see coverage of this development in The Hill - but vowed to make it a priority for early January. It remains to be seen what, if any, other steps will be taken to further revise our federal health policy framework in 2018. "
#FundCHIPColorado
CHIP Coalition Update:
"Joint Budget Committee Update
At this time, it is unclear what this short-term fix means for Colorado, and how much, if any, of the additional funds Colorado might receive.
First Focus delivered the CHIP sign on letter to Congressional leaders this week, with nearly 900 state and national organizations signed on. National groups also hosted a briefing on CHIP in DC this week that featured families from Colorado and other states. The New York Times reported on the event.
Also, in case you missed it, we wanted to share this article in Colorado Politics.
Finally, below and attached are social media posts that you can use and share with your networks.
Twitter
· Colorado kids and families need to know their child’s health coverage will be there when they need it—patchwork funding for #CHIP is not enough. #CHIPfunding #ExtendCHIP
· Despite many promises, Congress left for the holidays without a long-term extension for #CHIPfunding. This cannot stand in the New Year—the future of our nation’s kids is at stake. #CHIPMatters
"Joint Budget Committee Update
This afternoon, the Colorado Joint Budget Committee (JBC) approved the emergency supplemental request to allow the Department of Health Care Policy and Financing to use the CHP+ Trust Fund to continue to fund the CHP+ program for the month of February in the event that Congress does not provide sufficient funds to cover that month. This will allow Colorado to continue the existing program for a month and delay sending termination notices to families. The request passed on a vote of 5-0 (with Lundberg absent).
Policy Update
This afternoon, the U.S. House passed along party lines a continuing resolution (CR) to fund the federal government through January 19. The CR includes $2.85 billion to fund CHIP through March 31, 2018, but does not include a long-term extension of CHIP funding. This amount of funding is less than would be expected for CHIP over this time period. The CR also continues to provide the federal Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) legal authority to redistribute CHIP federal funds to states that are running out of funds the fastest. The CR is likely to pass in the U.S. Senate as well. You can read more about the short-term CHIP fix here from the Georgetown Center for Children and Families.
Policy Update
This afternoon, the U.S. House passed along party lines a continuing resolution (CR) to fund the federal government through January 19. The CR includes $2.85 billion to fund CHIP through March 31, 2018, but does not include a long-term extension of CHIP funding. This amount of funding is less than would be expected for CHIP over this time period. The CR also continues to provide the federal Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) legal authority to redistribute CHIP federal funds to states that are running out of funds the fastest. The CR is likely to pass in the U.S. Senate as well. You can read more about the short-term CHIP fix here from the Georgetown Center for Children and Families.
At this time, it is unclear what this short-term fix means for Colorado, and how much, if any, of the additional funds Colorado might receive.
First Focus delivered the CHIP sign on letter to Congressional leaders this week, with nearly 900 state and national organizations signed on. National groups also hosted a briefing on CHIP in DC this week that featured families from Colorado and other states. The New York Times reported on the event.
Also, in case you missed it, we wanted to share this article in Colorado Politics.
Finally, below and attached are social media posts that you can use and share with your networks.
· Colorado kids and families need to know their child’s health coverage will be there when they need it—patchwork funding for #CHIP is not enough. #CHIPfunding #ExtendCHIP
· Despite many promises, Congress left for the holidays without a long-term extension for #CHIPfunding. This cannot stand in the New Year—the future of our nation’s kids is at stake. #CHIPMatters
Facebook
· Congress has kicked the can down the road yet again, failing to provide a long-term extension for CHIP before heading home for the holidays. States can’t rely on limited patchwork funding, and families can’t afford to go without coverage for their kids. We need our leaders to do better."
· Congress has kicked the can down the road yet again, failing to provide a long-term extension for CHIP before heading home for the holidays. States can’t rely on limited patchwork funding, and families can’t afford to go without coverage for their kids. We need our leaders to do better."
Sunday, December 17, 2017
Latest from the CO Dept. of Health Care Policy & Financing (HCPF)
- SIM Health Elevations - December 2017
- FY 2018-19 Primary Care Fund Application Timeline
- At a Glance - November 30, 2017
- Senior Dental News Bulletin - December 2017
- Colorado interChange: Resources for your Membership - Week of December 14, 2017:
Provider Buzz
Here's a look at hot topics for providers and others:
Related to the Colorado interChange:
Other hot topics from the Department
Here's some content for membership newsletters:
Timely filing questions and answers
As you work to better understand rules and changes around timely filing, here are some commonly asked questions as well as a link to additional resources.
What is the deadline for meeting timely filing requirements?
The Department of Health Care Policy & Financing has extended timely filing to 240 days from the date of service. Therefore, the traditional 120-day window to file a claim is no longer applicable until May 1, 2018.
What date is used when considering timely filing deadlines?
A claim is considered filed when the fiscal agent documents receipt of the claim.
How can a provider qualify for a timely waiver (override)?
There are reasons that a provider may qualify for a timely waiver. If any of the following scenarios apply but are still within the 240-day window, a waiver is not needed and the provider only needs to resubmit the claim. Please note that providers always have at least240 days from the date of service to submit the claim. A timely filing waiver is only needed if the dates of service have exceeded 240 days.
More commonly asked questions and answers are available in the Department's December Provider Bulletin.
Colorado interChange Numbers
Since March 1, 2017...
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What's next at the national level with health care reform?
Protect Our Care Colorado is a coalition managed by the Colorado Consumer Health Initiative
"We still have a chance to stop this tax bill!
Final votes on tax bill are expected early next week. Yesterday, Republicans announced they had reached a compromise bill between the Senate and House tax bills that went to conference committee. This means that both the House and Senate can move for a final vote on this terrible bill, and we're hearing the first vote could happen Monday. Little has changed in the tax bill's overall structure. It actually increases the original tax cuts for the wealthiest 1% and keeps substantial cuts for big multinational corporations permanently, harms low-income and middle-class families by handing them meager tax cuts initially but actually increasing their taxes over time, causes double-digit premium spikes every year and 13 million fewer Americans having health insurance, and adds $1.4 trillion to the deficit over 10 years. It is even clearer now with recent statements from Speaker Paul Ryan and other Republicans that they intend to come back early next year to try to pay for this tax cut by gutting Medicaid, SNAP, and other social investment programs.We need your help telling all of Colorado's Members of Congress the message that this tax heist is bad for Coloradans and that tax cuts for the wealthy shouldn't be financed by eviscerating anti-poverty programs. A lot of people are assuming this tax bill will pass, butreports today indicate there's growing opposition from a few Republicans, so keep calling!
This tax heist:
- Will lead to even more disastrous cuts to health care than we've seen in the devastating Republican health care repeal bills that failed due to enormous public pressure.
- Will disproportionately benefit millionaires and large profitable corporations, not small businesses or the middle-class.
- 80% of the tax cuts go to the top 1% and big corporations
- Will devastate Colorado's state budget and lead to cuts in state programs and services that help working families get ahead.
- Will hurt Colorado's economy and future by failing to protect the middle class and our health care.
Rather than ensuring Coloradans have the opportunity to earn a good life, this bill serves the well-connected, special interests, and big corporations, not the middle class and those working to pull themselves out of poverty.
Call your Senators and Representative and tell them to oppose this tax scam!
Sen. Gardner - Denver: (303) 391-5777 DC: (202) 224-5941
Sen. Bennet - Denver: (303) 455-7600 DC: (202) 224- 5852
Rep. Coffman - Aurora (720) 748-7514, DC: (202) 225-7882
Rep. Tipton - Durango: (970) 259-1490, DC: (202) 225-4761
Rep. Buck - Greeley: (970) 702-2136, DC: (202) 225-4676
Rep. Lamborn - CO Springs: (719) 520-0055, DC: (202) 225-4422
Rep. Polis: Boulder - (303) 484-9596, DC: (202) 225-2161
Rep. Perlmutter - Lakewood: (303)274-7944 DC: (202) 225-2645
Social Media: We are using the hashtags #TrumpTaxScam, #GOPTaxPlan, #GOPTaxScam, and #NotOnePenny to talk about the tax bill.
- @SenCoryGardner Oppose the #GOPTaxPlan that leaves 13 million more uninsured, increases deficit by $1.4 trillion, gives the wealthiest big tax cut while hurting the middle class #TrumpTaxScam
- @SenCoryGardner The ACA provides 600K Coloradans with quality health insurance. Fix it, don’t repeal through #TrumpTaxScam
- @SenCoryGardner Don't increase the deficit, give 80% of tax cuts to top 1%, or gut the ACA/Medicaid/Medicare to pay for it. #VoteNo on #GOPTaxPlan
- Health care cuts shouldn't be used in the GOP tax heist to cut taxes for the wealthiest 1%, sticking middle-class Americans and future generations with a $1.4 trillion bill over 10 years. #VoteNo on #GOPTaxScam @SenCoryGardner
- @RepMikeCoffman You've said time and again that you are concerned about the deficit. Vote no on #TrumpTaxScam! Don't add $1.4 trillion to deficit. #NotOnePenny
- @RepMikeCoffman Please oppose the #GOPTaxPlan that will increase deficit, give tax cuts to top 1%, and lead to devastating health care cuts.
- @RepTipton Don't increase the deficit, give 80% of tax cuts to top 1%, or gut Medicaid/Medicare to pay for it. #VoteNo on #GOPTaxPlan.
- Don't saddle future generations with another $1.4 trillion in debt from #TrumpTaxScam @RepTipton. And don't use cuts to Medicaid or Medicare as a piggy bank for the wealthiest 1%.
- @RepKenBuck Don't vote for a #GOPTaxPlan that increases the deficit, gives tax cuts to top 1% on the backs of middle-class, or will lead to devastating health care cuts. #NotOnePenny.
- @SenCoryGardner You've said you don't want to increase the deficit. Prove it and #VoteNo on #GOPTaxScam. Don't use health care cuts to pay for tax cuts for millionaires.
- @SenCoryGardner Voting for "skinny" repeal in the #GOPTaxScam will raise premiums on Coloradans and leave thousands without insurance. #VoteNo.
- @SenCoryGardner For how concerned you've been about health insurance premiums, it should be a no brainer to #VoteNo on #GOPTaxScam that raises health insurance premiums an additional 10% every year on top of increases we're already seeing. #ProtectOurCare
CHIP Funding update: It is sounding like funding for the Children's Health Insurance Program program (as well as Community Health Center Funding) may be included in the continuing resolution that needs to be passed late next week to keep the government funded. However, this is not for certain yet and we are encouraging Coloradans to contact members of Congress to fund these programs without conditions. Some Republicans are demanding offsets in order to fund these programs, offsets that would have other negative effects on health care (like gutting the prevention and public health fund). Demanding offsets for these relatively inexpensive yet valuable programs while Republicans move to vote on a tax bill that increases the deficit by $1.4 trillion is unconscionable. The demand for offsets could jeopardize the funding being included in the continuing resolution and push funding for the CHIP program out even further. Colorado will run out of funds to cover 90,000 children and pregnant women at the end of January.
Don't Forget to Support Open Enrollment:
Don't Forget to Support Open Enrollment:
We've created a folder of graphics you can share on social media to help raise awareness and encourage Coloradans to enroll in health insurance during open enrollment. It's very important that we support open enrollment this year to keep Coloradans covered and try to keep the individual market more stable in our state. Tomorrow is the deadline to sign up for coverage that starts January 1st! We will add more graphics to this folder periodically throughout the enrollment period which ends January 12th. Open enrollment graphics folder."
#FundCHIPColorado
CHIP Coalition Update:
"This week, U.S. House Republicans introduced a continuing resolution (CR) to fund the government through January 19, 2018. The CR included five years of funding for CHIP and the same CHIP policy, as well as the same partisan offsets, as the bill passed by the House in November, the CHAMPIONING HEALTHY KIDS Act. Those offsets include changes to Medicaid third party liability that could reduce access to high-value Medicaid services such as pediatric preventive care and care for pregnant women and cuts to the prevention and public health trust fund. Because these offsets are partisan, they will be unable to pass in the U.S. Senate.
This week, the Colorado Joint Budget Committee (JBC) held its hearing for the Department of Health Care Policy and Financing. At the hearing, the JBC discussed the possibility of an emergency supplemental request to allow the Department to use the CHP+ Trust Fund to continue to fund the CHP+ program through February or until Congress acts, as a short-term fix. This would also allow the Department to delay sending termination notices to families for another month, in hopes that Congress will act to extend CHIP funding before that time. The governor’s office would need to submit the supplemental request to the JBC. The JBC would need to make a decision on a supplemental request by Dec. 22 to avoid termination notices being sent to families at the end of December. Today, we sent a letter on behalf of the CHIP Coalition to Governor Hickenlooper, thanking him for his continued leadership on CHIP and urging him to submit an emergency supplemental request to the JBC by Dec. 20. A copy of the letter is here.
The Department has updated the Future of CHP+ website to indicate that termination notices will be sent to CHP+ families on or around December 29 if Congress has not acted. On the website, you can also view a sample of the cover letter that will be sent with the termination notices, and a sample of the termination notice will be posted soon."
Resources - new CHIP graphics for using on social media:
"This week, U.S. House Republicans introduced a continuing resolution (CR) to fund the government through January 19, 2018. The CR included five years of funding for CHIP and the same CHIP policy, as well as the same partisan offsets, as the bill passed by the House in November, the CHAMPIONING HEALTHY KIDS Act. Those offsets include changes to Medicaid third party liability that could reduce access to high-value Medicaid services such as pediatric preventive care and care for pregnant women and cuts to the prevention and public health trust fund. Because these offsets are partisan, they will be unable to pass in the U.S. Senate.
This week, the Colorado Joint Budget Committee (JBC) held its hearing for the Department of Health Care Policy and Financing. At the hearing, the JBC discussed the possibility of an emergency supplemental request to allow the Department to use the CHP+ Trust Fund to continue to fund the CHP+ program through February or until Congress acts, as a short-term fix. This would also allow the Department to delay sending termination notices to families for another month, in hopes that Congress will act to extend CHIP funding before that time. The governor’s office would need to submit the supplemental request to the JBC. The JBC would need to make a decision on a supplemental request by Dec. 22 to avoid termination notices being sent to families at the end of December. Today, we sent a letter on behalf of the CHIP Coalition to Governor Hickenlooper, thanking him for his continued leadership on CHIP and urging him to submit an emergency supplemental request to the JBC by Dec. 20. A copy of the letter is here.
The Department has updated the Future of CHP+ website to indicate that termination notices will be sent to CHP+ families on or around December 29 if Congress has not acted. On the website, you can also view a sample of the cover letter that will be sent with the termination notices, and a sample of the termination notice will be posted soon."
Resources - new CHIP graphics for using on social media:
- Click here for a new graphic
- Click here for a new graphic
- Click here for a new graphic
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