In January 2019, there were 1,253,984 Coloradans enrolled in Health First Colorado and 80,354 enrolled in
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Upcoming Events and Helpful Resources
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| Health First Colorado videos for use in waiting rooms and other areas members visit are available for download on our website. |
New to PEAK or Need a Refresher?
The Intro to PEAK and Application Walk-Through recorded webinars are available anytime. For more information and trainings, visit the
PEAK Outreach Initiative website.
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Public Rule Review Opportunities
Anyone interested in a one-on-one discussion with Department staff about upcoming rules is invited to attend the Department's
Public Rule Review Meeting. Information is available on the
Public Rule Review Meetings web page.
For more information, or to be added to the Medical Services Board email distribution list, please contact
Chris Sykes.
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Employment Opportunities
Applying for state government jobs is easy. Applications are electronic, you will receive updates, and you do not need to answer any written questions until it is determined that you meet the minimum qualifications.
Check out the
website for State of Colorado jobs including the Department of Health Care Policy and Financing jobs.
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Welcome to the March 2019 edition of At a Glance!
Thank you for your interest!
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| A Message from the Executive Director |
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As many of you know, we've been working to secure more timely, detailed financial data that allows for greater transparency into hospital expenditures. Such insights are critical to better controlling the largest part of health care spend while driving effective affordability policy going forward.
In this spirit, I'm pleased to communicate that Governor Polis signed HB19-1001 into law, which will allow the Department to fully analyze hospital financials to the betterment of employer health care costs, state-funded benefit plans, and the health care affordability interests of all Coloradans.
The bill passed with strong bipartisan support in the General Assembly. The effort was led by Representative Chris Kennedy and Senators Robert Rankin and Dominic Moreno with 38 co-sponsors in the House and 14 co-sponsors in the Senate. For more information about the bill, read the Governor's press release.
I want to thank each of you for your partnership and collaboration in helping us achieve this important Health Care Affordability milestone. And I especially want to thank our hospital partners for your collaboration on this achievement and for your continued efforts to implement effective solutions that lower health care costs. We appreciate your leadership.
Kim Bimestefer
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January 4, 2019, marked the first day of the second session of the
72nd
General Assembly. Per the state Constitution, the Colorado legislature is in session no more than 120 days, adjourning this year on May 3
, 2019.
Department Legislation
The Department has four bills on its legislative agenda this session, including:
- Extend the Breast and Cervical Cancer Prevention and Treatment Program
- Colorado Dental Health Care Program for Low-Income Seniors
- Increased Authority for the Oversight of Individual Residential Services and Supports (IRSS)
- Expanded Access to the Civil Monetary Penalty (CMP) Cash Fund
None of the bills have been introduced yet, but details on each are
on our website.
For more information, contact David DeNovellis. |
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Hospital Transformation Program
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The
Hospital Transformation Program (HTP)
is a five-year reform initiative that builds upon the existing hospital supplemental payment program to incorporate value-based purchasing strategies into existing hospital quality and payment improvement initiatives.
Over time, hospitals across the state will be required to demonstrate meaningful community engagement and improvements in health outcomes in order to receive supplemental payments. The program will outline expectations for key activities and tracking measures, to establish statewide uniformity while providing the hospitals the flexibility to work with their communities on the best interventions and approaches.
A detailed overview of the program, as well as the timeline for implementation and hospital requirements, can be found in the HTP Concept Paper.
Stay Updated on All Things HTP!
As community engagement and partnership are cornerstones of the program, the HTP Newsletter will be an important channel for stakeholders to receive information and updates about the program. Check out the most recent edition of the HTP Newsletter.
For more information about the HTP, contact Courtney A. Ronner via email or by phone, 303-866-2699.
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Partnerships to Improve Population Health
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Depression-Related Training for Providers
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Primary care teams interested in learning more about integrating behavioral and physical health can take advantage of free e-learning modules funded by the State Innovation Model (SIM).
The two newest modules (Men and Depression, and Obesity and Depression) are now available on the e-learning online platform. Register for a free account using the registration code "SIM" and find out how these modules can help your care team integrate physical and behavioral health.
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Connect for Health Colorado 2019 Open Enrollment Report Now Available
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The Open Enrollment Report gives a detailed look at the Open Enrollment period that ended on January 15, 2019.
More than 170,000 Coloradans signed up for health insurance through Connect for Health Colorado, and more than 129,000 are receiving financial help. The customers who are receiving financial help are getting, on average, a discount of more than 80 percent on the cost of the plans they chose.
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Delivery Systems Innovation
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| Substance Use Disorder Benefit Update |
- Inpatient and residential components, including withdrawal management, will be added to the continuum of outpatient SUD services currently available.
- The Department is working with the State of Colorado Office of Behavioral Health to map the current system of SUD treatment providers and to assess the capacity of those providers.
- The Department is working with the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services on the 1115 waiver application and approval necessary for full implementation of the bill. Additional information about CMS requirements and guidance is available on the CMS website.
- We are planning stakeholder meetings for Spring 2019. In these meetings, we will provide updates and invite feedback from the community.
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| Accountable Care Collaborative Phase II Resources |
The next iteration of the Accountable Care Collaborative (ACC) began July 1, 2018. As a reminder, the Department has published resources and guidance for providers, members, and other interested parties on CO.gov/HCPF/ACCPhase2.
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The Department will post the new income limits in
operational memos.
These income limits are based on the federal poverty level (FPL) guidelines, which are updated annually. These operational memos will be posted on April 1, 2019.
New income limits will be posted for MAGI Health First Colorado, Child Health Plan Plus, Health First Colorado Buy-In for Working Adults with Disabilities, Health First Colorado Buy-In Program for Children with Disabilities, Medical Assistance - Medicare Savings, and Low Income Subsidy programs. The Colorado Management System (CBMS) has been updated to reflect the new income limits beginning April 2019.
In the meantime, direct any policy questions regarding this communication to
[email protected].
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The Colorado Department of Health Care Policy & 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).
CHÚ Ý: Nếu bạn nói Tiếng Việt, có các dịch vụ hỗ trợ ngôn ngữ miễn phí dành cho bạn. Gọi số 1-800-221-3943 (State Relay: 711).
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At a Glance
