Tracking SIM practice transformation efforts - Mar. 24, 2017
Provider interest in SIM initiative remains strong

With one week left for practices to apply for the Colorado State Innovation Model (SIM) second cohort, we are pleased to report strong interest from provider circles. Help us spread the word and please encourage your colleagues to apply before the March 31 deadline.

In other exciting news, the SIM team is pleased to announce that cohort-1 practices will receive licenses to Stratus™, a data aggregation tool that is designed to help providers drive meaningful change. We will disseminate more information about these licenses, which will help practices access SIM payer claims data, in the coming weeks and will have a Stratus demonstration during the May 18 SIM Multi-Stakeholder Symposium.
SIM CQM deadline approaches

April 30 is the deadline to submit your quarter-1 clinical quality measures (CQM). These are streamlined measures intended to ease reporting burden and align with other state and federal initiatives.  Get more information about  reporting schedules and SIM reporting requirements to ensure that you have the right information on CQM requirements. Please reach out to your clinical health information technology advisor with questions or requests for support.
Expanding the SIM reach

Learn more about how SIM practices can work with local public healthagencies (LPHAs) to widen their reach in the first installment of the SIM podcast series titled "Innovation Insights."

In this short podcast you will learn about the work that LPHAs are doing to address stigma in communities around Colorado and learn more about how they fit into the SIM value proposition. Stay tuned for podcasts that focus on SIM data and provider education materials.
Second SIM Multi-Stakeholder Symposium

Please watch for an email invitation to the second SIM Multi-Stakeholder Symposium, which has been scheduled for May 18 with information about time, place and a high-level agenda. We hope that one representative from each practice will join us in May to continue our discussion between payers, providers and practice transformation organizations in January.

The inaugural event featured several state executives, including Donna Lynne, DrPH, Lt. Gov., COO, who talked about the importance of integrating behavioral and physical health. "There isn't any disease or condition that doesn't require some mental health care," she said.

Lynne thanked SIM providers for their patience and willingness to be pioneers in healthcare reform. "The strength of this process is the fact that it's not just a collaboration across state agencies; it's also a collaboration across providers and across health plans and that's what makes it so strong."

QPP fast facts in 5 minutes

Get the help you need to prepare for the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services' Quality Payment Program (QPP) through the Colorado QPP Coalition. The coalition released the first in its series of "QPP Fast Facts in 5 minutes," which will be published regularly on the web page and in member newsletters. Click here for the first installment, which includes basic questions-and-answers to QPP participation, eligibility and reporting options.
Cost utilization webinar

A one-hour webinar will be held on April 13, 1:00-2:00pm (MT) detailing cost and utilization measures, and sharing information on report formats from Steve Melek from Milliman. The webinar will help explain what data is (and is not) included and how the reports differ from other claims sources. There will also be time dedicated to discussion and for questions.
Connecting providers with community resources

Regional Health Connectors (RHCs)  are working with practices, practice facilitators and clinical health information technology advisors to improve the health of residents across the state and remove barriers to healthcare. 
 
RHCs, which are funded by SIM and EvidenceNow Southwest, link primary care practices with local resources to improve the health of residents and remove barriers to healthcare. For example, an RHC could connect practices with community tobacco cessation groups, local chronic disease management programs, school-based health services, and mental health response trainings. RHCs can make connections between primary and specialty care as needed; the PTOs will facilitate a formal clinical partnership. There is active interest in ensuring open communication between PTOs, RCCOs and RHCs about needs, issues, challenges and successes around this work.
 
PTOs will facilitate an introduction to the RHC, or you are welcome to reach out to your RHC on your own. For general questions about the RHC Program, email RHConnectors@coloradohealthinstitute.org
Colorado state guidelines for psychotropic medications

Learn more about medication guidelines for providers, who work with youth in foster care in this video released this month.

These guidelines offer an essential tool to help providers and caregivers connect foster kids to the right care at the right time to improve quality of life and promote a healthy future. Experts highlight resources and discuss effective prescribing and consent practices in this eight-minute video.  View the current Guidelines.
Peer-to-peer learning

Connect with clinicians and staff who are working towards similar SIM goals. The collaborative learning sessions (CLS) provide a venue for SIM teams to disseminate ideas, gain new perspectives and network with peers. Each CLS has initiative-specific breakouts with experts in their fields that offer training on clinical content and strategic planning to improve momentum with practice transformation goals. Continuing medical education is available.
SIM small grants aid integration efforts

Learn how SIM practices are using proceeds from competitive small grants of up to $40,000 to aid integration efforts. Funding for cohort 1 small grants came from two sources, each with different focus areas as outlined below.
Register for two of the leading national h ealth and well-being summits of the Year

Join the National Alliance of Healthcare Purchaser Coalitions and the Colorado Business Group on Health for one or both summits.

  • Engage with national thought leaders about emerging trends and directions for mental health and well-being
  • Collaborate on innovative strategies that can help you better manage mental health and wellbeing with your own population
  • Broaden your relationships with leading employers, thought leaders and stakeholders while helping shape the path forward.
CPCC convening 2017

Join the Colorado Primary Care Collaborative on June 8, 2017 for  Primary Care Payment & Delivery Reform: What's on the Horizon.

The convening will be held at the Embassy Suites Denver- Tech Center, 10250 E. Costilla Ave., Centennial, CO 80112 from 8:15 a.m. to 4:15 p.m.
Suggested reading

New law passed c oncerning modifications to the requirements for health benefit plans to cover healthcare services delivered via telehealth.

Predictive modeling report
Learn about a predictive model that was developed, using the All Payer Claims Database, to help practices identify patients with potentially undiagnosed depression. The report, which was developed by Milliman, Inc. for SIM, shows practices how they can identify patients with a high likelihood of depression.
STAY CONNECTED: