September 2020
In This Issue
Quick Links
HCPF Website - Provider Information

HCPF Website - Client Information

HCPF Website - Senior Dental Advisory Committee
Program Overview
The Colorado Dental Health Care Program for Low-Income Seniors 
(Senior Dental Program) grants funds to agencies to provide low cost dental care to low-income seniors, age 60 and over, who are not enrolled in Health First Colorado (Colorado's Medicaid Program) and do not have dental insurance.  Grantees determine if a senior qualifies to receive services under the program.

Contact Information
Customer Service Line
1-800-221-3943

Chandra Vital
State Programs Unit Lead
chandra.vital@state.co.us
303-866-5506 

Tracy Gonzales
Program Assistant
tracy.gonzales@state.co.us
303-866-5301

Vince Sherry
Financial Analyst
303-866-5408
If you have any suggestions for Newsletter topics please contact Chandra Vital
Welcome to the September 2020 edition of the Senior Dental News Bulletin!

This newsletter is a Department of Health Care Policy & Financing (Department) publication which provides information on the Dental Health Care Program for Low-Income Seniors. 

We have adopted a new web-based email format. We welcome your feedback on the new format and other aspects of the Senior Dental News Bulletin.

Please feel free to share the Senior Dental News Bulletin with your colleagues by .   



Thank you for your interest!
Dental Advisory Committee
The next Dental Advisory Committee (DAC) meeting is Oct. 13 at 2 p.m.

This will be a virtual meeting and specifics will be emailed to all stakeholders and available on the Department's website prior to the meeting. If there are any items stakeholders would like to discuss, please contact the Department and we will ensure it is added to the agenda. 
Medical Services Board
The DAC made recommendations to take to the Medical Services Board (MSB) to add a new program payment model to the Senior Dental Program. In the Fiscal Year (FY) 2020-21 Long Bill, the Colorado Health First dental rates were lowered by 1%. As a result, it was determined the Department would not move forward with these recommendations to the MSB at this time.  
Senior Dental Grant For FY 2020-21
The Senior Dental Program had a reduction of $1 million in the FY 2020-21 Long Bill, which brings the allocated amount for FY 2020-21 to $2,962,510. This is the same amount the Senior Dental Program was allocated from FY 2015-16 through FY 2018-19. This reduction was a small hit to the Senior Dental Program; However, we will still be able to assist numerous Colorado seniors with their oral healthcare.
COVID-19 Pandemic
It has come to the Department's attention that a limited number of grantees are still doing either emergency procedures only or are still not able to accept any senior clients for oral health care. If this is the case, a portion of allocated funds will be moved from these limited grantees to other grantees that are taking these clients. Many of the grantees have already budgeted their funds for FY 2020-21 and need more funds to be able to assist these clients.  
 
If a grantee is aware of not being able to assist seniors because of the current pandemic, or any other reason, please contact the Department immediately. 
 
Also, The Department would like to take the opportunity to send a huge thank you to all the grantees. This pandemic has proven to be difficult, however, you all have stepped up to try and ensure that our Colorado seniors are receiving much-needed oral health care. Keep up the good work! 
 
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Annual Reports
The FY 2019-20 Annual Reports were due from grantees on Aug. 28 and the Department's Annual Report is due to Legislation on Nov. 1. The data from the grantee Annual Reports will be discussed at the next scheduled DAC meeting.