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County Incentives Program
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| FY17-18 County Incentives Program |
Reminder!
Contract amendments for the FY 2017-18 County Incentives Program are due by August 15, 2017.
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FY 2017-18 County Grant Program
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Reminder!
For counties that have projects that were approved through the FY 2017-18 County Grant Program, please ensure you have submitted your Quarterly Check In date for the first quarter of FY 2017-18, covering July - September 2017.
The Department will schedule the first Quarterly Check Ins starting August 2017.
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Quick Links and Resources
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Medicaid and CHP+ Rules and Guidance
Volume 8 - Rules - direct link to Secretary of State
HCPF Forms and Rules
HCPF Agency and Directors Letters
HCPF FAQs and Training
HCPF County Relations
CBMS Enhancement Sheets - Governor's Office of Information Technology (OIT)
Staff Development Center (SDC)
Training Calendar
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Welcome to the July 2017 edition of County Connections!
The content in this newsletter is designed to inform county directors, management and staff in areas such as county performance, process improvement, collaboration, policy updates, upcoming due dates and more.
The content will continue to evolve. We encourage our county partners to give us your content suggestions. Feedback can be sent to the
HCPF County Relations team.
Please feel free to share
County Connections
with your colleagues by selecting
forward this email
at the bottom of this page.
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Breaking News - Policy and Process Updates |
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Stakeholder Meeting: Asset Verification Program (AVP)
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Second Stakeholder Meeting on Upcoming Asset Verification Program
The Department is convening a second stakeholder meeting to discuss the Asset Verification Program (AVP) scheduled to be implemented in December 2017. The AVP will help streamline the eligibility determinations when an asset test is required for programs and waivers for individuals who are 65 and older, blind, or who have a disability.
This meeting will follow-up on questions raised at the April 2017 stakeholder meeting, and provide an update on the status of the project.
The meeting will be held at HCPF's office at 303 E. 17th Ave., Denver, CO 80203 on Thursday August 10 from 2:00 to 3:00 p.m. in Conference Room 11A & B. A webinar and conference line will be available for those who cannot not attend in person.
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HCPF Waivers 101 for Eligibility Partners Webinar
Join HCPF for a webinar for counties to learn more about Home and Community Based Services (HCBS) waivers. Who qualifies for a waiver and what type of services will they receive? The second offering of the webinar will be held on August 3, 2017.
The webinar will cover the following topics:
What is a Home and Community Based (HCBS) waiver? Who qualifies for a waiver and what type of services will they receive? Who determines eligibility for waivers? Join the Department for a webinar for counties to find out the answers to these questions and more. Learn to identify when and how to refer Health First Colorado members for these additional services and supports.
Note: This webinar is one option to complete the required number of training hours for the FY 2017-18 County Incentives Program.
This is the second offering of this webinar. Please join us on:
August 3, 2017
10:00 am -11:00 am
Register by clicking on this link:
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Member Communications: Keeping Information Up to Date
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Department produces video to inform members on keeping their information current
HCPF has released a new video for Health First Colorado members on keeping their information up to date:
Please utilize as an educational resource for members.
The Department has also released new videos on teen depression screening and substance use disorder benefits as well, which are available here.
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ALERT: PEAK Security Updates May Impact Users!
As of July 22, 2017 , PEAK users will only be able to access Colorado.gov/PEAK if both their web browser and operating system meet certain requirements. This change is being implemented as an important security measure by the platform that supports PEAK. This security update will help ensure that personal information continues to be protected as much as possible from cyber security threats.
Visit
COPEAK.state.co.us for more details and to learn how to upgrade your web browser, if necessary.
The PEAK Technical Support Call Center is also ready, willing and able to provide support! The Call Center can be reached at 1-800-250-7741
(Monday-Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 5:15 p.m.),
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Discussion about current state of Community Living in Colorado
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Invitation to discussion about Community Living in Colorado
The Governor's Office and several state agencies have convened a working group on Community Living in Colorado. We invite you to participate in a discussion about the current state of Community Living in Colorado.
During the meeting, The Departments of Health Care Policy and Financing (HCPF), Human Services (CDHS), Local Affairs (DOLA), and other state agencies will discuss their contributions to Community Living in Colorado. During and after these presentations, we will have a focused discussion about our work to date and receive your feedback and ideas. The more specific information you can provide, ideally supported by data and metrics, the more productive the conversation will be.
Details are below:
- Location: 1575 Sherman Street, Denver CO 802038th Floor C-Stat Room, to the left when exiting the elevators (State employees need their badge, non-employees will need their ID and to check in with our buildings guard.)
Please feel free to contact Katie McLoughlin ([email protected]) or Kyle Brown ([email protected]) in the Governor's Office with any questions. We look forward to seeing you at the meeting.
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Colorado interChange and Counties: Content for County Providers
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Helpful links for County Providers: Using the Colorado interChange
Attached is information on how to access the HPE-facilitated webinars.
Thank you for your patience as we continue to implement our new claims system and its related technologies.
Although technical issues driving dropped calls have been resolved, call durations are long due to the complexity of provider questions.
Below are helpful links to information that may answer your questions.
The FAQs are updated regularly and reflect provider queries and issues identified as implementation moves forward. Many of the links below are targeted "cheat sheets" for individual issues. Please check out the Provider Portal News as important information about iC and claims payment is posted frequently, sometimes daily.
The Department appreciates your patience as we work through implementation of this critical system. If you continue to face challenges regarding revalidation and/or use of the Provider Web Portal, please continue to utilize the HPE Call Center.
Still have questions about provider revalidation for counties?
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Timeliness numbers for the month of June 2017 are in!
Timeliness for all Medical Assistance
applications for the month was measured at
98.27 percent.
The Department and its county partners have registered 36 consecutive months above 95 percent timeliness.
Timeliness for all Medical Assistance redeterminations for the month was measured at
99.22 percent.
The Department and its county partners have registered 17 consecutive months above 95 percent timeliness.
This could not have been accomplished without the hard work of our county partners. Many thanks!
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The following counties were
below the 95.00 percent benchmark for the month of June 2017.
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Applications
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Redeterminations
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| Adams - 92.21% |
Crowley - 94.67% |
| Hinsdale - 42.86% |
Hinsdale - 78.57% |
| Pitkin - 94.44% |
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| Teller - 94.95% |
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| Yuma - 88.68% |
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| Public Comment Period: HCBS-SLS and HCBS-DD Waiver Amendments and Cross-System Response for Behavioral Health Crisis Pilot Program (CSCR) Legislative Report |
From the Office of Community Living
The Department hereby informs stakeholders of the opportunity to provide public comment on amendments to the HCBS-Supported Living Services (SLS) and HCBS-Developmental Disability (DD) waivers.
In addition, the CSCR has released the State Fiscal year 2017 annual legislative report. Click here to access the
Communication Brief for further information and links to access the report.
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Colorado Medicaid to Tighten Opioid Usage Policy
New policy aims to prevent and reduce dependency on powerful drugs |
From Marc Williams, Public Information Officer
In a continued effort to address the growing opioid epidemic in Colorado, today the Department of Health Care Policy and Financing (Department) announced it is tightening its policy on prescribing and dispensing opioid pain medications to Health First Colorado (Colorado's Medicaid program) members. The new policy will be implemented in two phases.
The first phase is effective August 1, 2017 and limits the supply of opioids to members who haven't had an opioid prescription in the past 12 months.
The policy was developed following a Department analysis of claims data showing a growing number of Health First Colorado members who have not taken opioids before - or have not taken them for up to one year - once they start opioids, go on to using them more frequently. The Department wants to ensure members have appropriate medication to treat their acute pain, without excessive doses that are not needed. The new policy will allow:
- A 7-day supply to be filled initially,
- Two additional 7-day refills, but a fourth refill request will require providers to obtain prior authorization from the Department.
- The fourth request could also require a consultation with a pain management physician from the Department's Drug Utilization Review board.
Under current policy, Health First Colorado members are allowed up to a 30-day initial supply with subsequent fills as prescribed by their doctor.
"The goal of this new policy is twofold," said Dr. Judy Zerzan, chief medical officer for the Department. "First, to reduce the number of Medicaid members who might develop an addiction to opioids when it could be prevented. Second, to reduce the amount of excess opioid pills in the community."
The second phase of the policy will reduce the daily Morphine Milligram Equivalents (MME) for members currently on a pain management regimen. Beginning October 1, 2017, the total daily limit of MME will be decreasing from 300 MME per day, to 250 MME per day.
- Under the new policy, a prescription that puts the member above 250 MME per day will be rejected and require a prior authorization. In some circumstances, a consultation with the Department's pain management physician may be required.
"I think all the steps that we can take within reasonable parameters are important and should be taken," said Dr. Alex Reish, pain management specialist and Drug Utilization Review board member. "It's encouraging to see the progress that has been made with the previous policies and I think this new opioid policy will be important and necessary as well."
The Department is recommending that providers and their teams begin tapering Medicaid members to or below the 250 MME per day threshold prior to October 1, 2017. The new 250 MME limit will not apply to members in palliative or hospice care, nor those being treated for cancer.
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| From the Governor's Office and the Office of eHealth Innovation |
Colorado Health IT Roadmap public forms
The Governor's Office and Office of eHealth Innovation invites you to join us for our Colorado Health IT Roadmap public forums.
We value your input and feedback on the proposed initiatives that represent the framework of Colorado's emerging Health IT Roadmap.
Join us for a meeting near you:
Grand Junction
8:30-10:00 a.m.
Wednesday, August 23, 2017
St. Mary's Medical Center - SLC
Denver
2:30-4:00 p.m.
Friday, August 25, 2017
Denver Health Sabin Conference Room
Lamar
2:30-4:00 p.m.
Tuesday, August 29, 2017
Lamar Public Library-Cultural Events Center
Alamosa
8:30-10:00 a.m.
Wednesday, August 30, 2017
San Luis Valley Health Regional Medical Center
Greeley
10:30 a.m. -12:00 p.m.
September 7, 2017
North Range Behavioral Health, 2nd floor Boardroom
Please register at this
link so we have a general number of attendees, but if you forget to register, you're are still welcome to drop in and join us!
Questions, comments or suggestions - email our State Health IT Coordinator, Carrie Paykoc,
[email protected] We look forward to seeing you soon!
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Seeking Long Term Care Case Manager
Are you seeking more than a paycheck on your next adventure? Jefferson County wants to bring your attention to a position currently opened here in the County. If you're a solid professional with proven experience who is seeking more than a paycheck, we invite you to apply for Long Term Care Case Manager. This position provides you the opportunity to work for a county that thrives on working collaboratively and overcoming challenges. We are seeking a game changer, someone who loves what they do and is motivated to share their knowledge with those they work with.
The Long Term Care Case Manager provides a variety of case management services to elderly and disabled adults along with some children who are experiencing chronic and/or terminal illness.
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LiveWell Colorado's 2017 HEAL Summit
LiveWell Colorado is currently accepting session proposals for the 2017 HEAL Summit to be held November 30 and December 1, 2017, in Denver. LiveWell Colorado invites you to submit a proposal for the Summit to showcase your work to others throughout the state. Individuals who are interested in presenting are invited to submit an online proposal by Friday, Aug. 4.
LiveWell Colorado's HEAL Summit is the premier annual convening that brings together Healthy Eating and Active Living (HEAL) leaders from throughout the state of Colorado and beyond. The purpose of the Summit is to share expertise and provide learning and practical experience for those focused on improving access to healthy living in Colorado. A wide range of participants, including leaders from municipalities, public health, non-profits, the private sector, and the philanthropic community gather to share expertise, challenges and exciting new developments regarding HEAL. The strength of the annual event lies in the powerful breakout sessions that are provided, allowing participants to meet and learn from each other.
Sessions are 90 minutes in length. We strongly encourage proposals from community members and leaders of color, which focus on innovative and impactful ways in which equitable access to healthy eating and active living has been achieved in their communities. Sessions that address social determinants of health and health equity are desired. Priority will be given to sessions that are interactive and provide an opportunity for dialogue with the audience.
Attendees of the HEAL Summit work for municipalities, public health departments, non-profits and community coalitions throughout Colorado. Many have worked to address health and equity in communities. Presentations should focus less on basic overviews of a topic and focus more on examining the topic or case study in more detail.
Presentation Selections - Proposals will be selected on August 7, 2017, and notifications will be sent shortly thereafter.
For more information, please contact Julie George at [email protected].
Please click here to submit a proposal
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Public Health in the Rockies 2017 registration open
Are you ready to register for the biggest public health conference in the region? We have received an abundance of excellent abstracts this year ranging from new leadership and professional development skill building sessions to innovation showcase sessions addressing substance use disorders and mental health integration. Not to mention, we have some exciting planning happening with partners for pre-conference activities and collaboration with other concurrent conferences! Get ready for the best and most collaborative PHiR yet! REGISTER NOW!
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| From Government Technology Executive Events |
Public Health in the Rockies 2017 registration open
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For more information or team
registration assistance, contact:
Lauren Anderson
[email protected]
916.932.1378
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The Colorado Department of Health Care Policy and Financing complies with applicable federal and state civil rights laws and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, ethnic or national origin, ancestry, age, sex, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, religion, creed, political beliefs, or disability. Learn more about our Nondiscrimination Policy.
ATENCIÓN: si habla español, tiene a su disposición servicios gratuitos de asistencia lingüística. Llame al 1-800-221-3943 (State Relay: 711).
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1-800-221-3943 (State Relay: 711).
For further information about this policy, to request free disability and/or language aids and services, or to file a discrimination complaint, contact:
504/ADA Coordinator
1570 Grant St
Denver, CO 80203
Phone: 303-866-6010, Fax: 303-866-2828, State Relay: 711
Civil rights complaints can also be filed with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office for Civil Rights electronically through the
Office for Civil Rights Complaint Portal
or by mail, phone, or fax at:
1961 Stout Street Room 08-148
Denver, CO 80294
Telephone: 800-368-1019, Fax: 202-619-3818, TDD: 800-537-7697
Complaint forms are available online
.
For more information, please visit our website at
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