Health Innovations                                                                                 October 2018
SIM helps more practices deliver whole-person care
The Colorado State Innovation Model (SIM) continues to help about 25% of the state’s primary care practice sites and four community mental health centers integrate physical and behavioral health as its main goal to help providers succeed with value-based payment models. Now in its final year, this fed erally funded, Governor’s office initiative continues to highlight the work SIM providers do to improve health outcomes and reduce or avoid unnecessary health care costs. Learn more about how SIM helps practices succeed with value-based payment models in the latest SIM blog . Check out the SIM Newsroom for some of the media coverage SIM practices have gotten and help us spread the word about this innovative work.
SIM providers get first access to eCQM solution
The application for the SIM-funded electronic clinical quality measure (eCQM) solution is open and SIM practices get priority for a limited number of spots. The solution, which will help SIM practices extract eCQMs once and report them to several, approved entities, is intended to improve reporting capabilities and reduce the administrative reporting burden, which is frequently cited as a significant barrier to succeeding with alternative payment models. The first phase, which ended in July, included 11 practices and 90 providers. The second phase will include 190 practices. Learn more about the technology that fuels the eCQM solution and  apply today.
SIM set to release e-Consult RFP
The SIM team has researched different opportunities to invest in a telehealth endeavor that will expand patient access to care, and will release a request-for-proposal this month. More information will be published on the SIM website in the coming days but here’s a sneak peek: SIM will fund three health systems with up to $250,000 each to develop an implementation model for an e-Consult program. Up to $100,000 can be spent on technology.
Survey shows health disparities in CO youth
Data from the 2017 Healthy Kids Colorado Survey (HKCS) highlight vulnerabilities in the health of Colorado youth and identify health behavior disparities based on race and ethnicity. One finding flagged in the executive summary: “We would be remiss in our responsibility to statewide youth health to ignore that American Indian youth report the highest rates of many health issues, including obesity, e-cigarette use, experience with electronic bullying, suicide attempts, and hunger.” Data was collected from 56,000 youth from 190 randomly selected middle and high school students statewide. Check out the HKCS data in your region by visiting www.healthykidscolo.org.
SIM small grants awarded
SIM small grant funds were awarded to 22 cohort-3 practices across Colorado to help them achieve their practice transformation goals. This brings the total number of small grants recipients to 107 practices in all three cohorts. SIM is proud to watch these grantees implement their integration-related projects. Hear how Western Colorado Pediatric Associates in Durango is using SIM small grant funds to build a parent resource group that is available to the entire community in the latest SIM podcast and check out the small grants page for more information.
Kids speak the truth about RHC value
Kids highlight the value of regional health connectors (RHCs), a new workforce funded in part by SIM, in this short, entertaining video . You'll see examples of effective (and ineffective) patient interactions with providers and a few examples that showcase the ways regional health connectors connect providers with community resources to expand patient access to integrated behavioral and physical health care. One great quote: "Everyone has the opportunity to be healthy when systems work together."  Get more information on the program, listen to a brief podcast and connect with your RHC today.
Integrated Behavioral Health Best Practices Training Symposium
Sign-up now for the all-day Integrated Behavioral Health (IBH) Best Practices Training Symposium on Nov. 2 at Craig Hall on the University of Denver's campus and live-streamed to 5 locations across CO. Attendees will complete an IBH Training Bundle, which comprises 6 modules with funding from SIM. All participants who complete the training will get IBH Certificates of Completion. Each module aligns with the "Core Competencies for Behavioral Health Providers Working in Primary Care" and the "IBH Best Practice Guidelines." Space is limited, click here for more information and to register for the event .
Sign up for the upcoming ECHO Colorado learning series
Primary care providers and behavioral health providers working in integrated practices can capitalize on a free, six week series about mood and anxiety disorders. Participants will learn how to better manage common behavioral health conditions and will learn more about screening, diagnoses and treatment of common mood and anxiety disorders within primary care settings with a focus on pharmacological and non-pharmacological treatments and use of community/referral resources. Sign-up for this free opportunity by Oct. 24. 
SIM presents at annual Community Behavioral Health Conference
Community members will gather to discuss mental health during the Colorado Behavioral Healthcare Council Conference Oct. 11-13. The conference will focus on removing stigma, offering resources and hope, informing, supporting and celebrating progress. Click here to learn more and register.
SIM office is hiring
Join a small but dynamic team that is passionate about helping Colorado providers reform health care. Learn more: https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/colorado/jobs/2232520/sim-administrative-assistant . 
CDC launches new tools to support cardiac rehabilitation
The  Million Hearts® Cardiac Rehabilitation Change Package  is available. This resource presents a listing of process improvements that quality improvement teams from hospitals and cardiac rehabilitation (CR) programs can implement to improve CR referral, enrollment and participation rates. These systems and strategies are organized into change concepts and change ideas with evidence- or practice-based tools and resources that can easily be adapted by or adopted in a health care setting to improve CR utilization. Join Million Hearts® in reaching the national goal of 70% participation in CR for eligible patients by exploring the ways you can improve your care processes today. http://www.coprevent.org/ .
Registration filling quickly for Hot Issues in Health 2018
Registration is now open for the Hot Issues in Health conference, a policy conference hosted by the Colorado Health Institute. This year’s conference is Thursday, December 6, and Friday, December 7, at the Hilton Denver Inverness in Englewood. December 6 will be a full day and December 7 a half day. Tickets are going quickly, and the event is expected to sell out. Register now to guarantee your place.
Suggested reading
en years ago, the Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act was signed into law by President George W. Bush. It was a milestone — a major acknowledgment of the importance of mental health. It was also a challenge for the health care system and culture to rectify decades of fragmentation that kept mental health separate and distinct.
People with serious mental illnesses often struggle to receive care to address common chronic physical health problems. PCORI-funded research projects are testing ways to help people with serious mental illness get the physical health care they need.
Transportation issues prevented nearly 300,000 Coloradans from getting the health care they needed in 2017, according to a survey by the Colorado Health Institute. In an effort to change that, Denver Health has teamed up with Lyft to provide complimentary rides to and from the hospital.
New provisions that would expand access to medication-assisted treatment (MAT) via telemedicine were included in the sweeping package of opioid legislation (H.R. 6) that has been passed by Congress and now awaits the President’s signature.
The project described was supported by Funding Opportunity Number CMS-1G1-14-001 from the U.S Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). The Colorado State Innovation Model (SIM), a four-year initiative, is funded by up to $65 million from CMS. The content provided is solely the responsibility of the authors and does not necessarily represent the official views of HHS or any of its agencies.