County Connections Newsletter
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This Department of Health Care Policy & Financing newsletter is designed to inform county directors, management and staff about county performance, policy changes, process updates, upcoming due dates, and more
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Message from the Executive Director
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County Partners,
As Coloradans struggle with record unemployment in the fallout of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, the Department of Health Care Policy & Financing (HCPF) is projecting a surge of more than 500,000 Coloradans between April 1 and Dec. 31, reflecting a 40%+ increase in Medicaid and CHP+ members. During this difficult time, the passionate staff at HCPF is working hard to keep Colorado covered!
Given this goal, it is critical that we help Coloradans easily navigate their way to the right health coverage solution. That means providing clear guidance on what Health First Colorado (Colorado’s Medicaid program) and Child Health Plan
Plus
(CHP+) cover, how to apply, how to find a doctor and who to call with questions. To that end,
we have developed a coverage guidance tool that answers these questions and ultimately helps Coloradans stay covered during this economic dow
nturn
.
We appreciate your help sharing this tool broadly so we can reach the Coloradans who need this support. Please post this link on your organization’s website, share it via social media and forward it to your customers, associates or constituents. In tandem, we are sharing this tool via our social media channels. You could further help us keep Colorado covered by “following us” and sharing our posts on
Facebook
and
Twitter
.
We would also appreciate your help recruiting care providers to serve our Health First Colorado members. Many physicians and other providers want to continue serving their patients who transition from commercial coverage to our coverage; at the same time, our new members often want to continue to see their preferred providers for care. To accomplish those shared goals, we need to “enroll” new providers into Health First Colorado. Providers can enroll at this
j
oin us now
link. Feel free to share this link on your website, as well.
Last, we appreciate your collaboration in thoughtfully balancing the state budget, given the tremendous reduction in available funding. HCPF represents 26% of the state’s general fund and 33% of total funds, so it is critical that our Department do our part, despite our projected 40%+ membership surge. Your attendance at our many webinars, your shared suggestions for budget cut alternatives and your engagement throughout this difficult process is very much appreciated by me, our leadership team and our staff. Thank you for all you are doing to be part of the solution!
Kim Bimestefer
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Updates from the Staff Development Center (SDC)
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PEAK Outreach Weekly Calls in June
The members of the PEAK Outreach Initiative is a team funded by the Office of Information Technology (OIT) that provides training and resources across the state on the client-facing side of PEAK.
We have been working with the SDC, developing training and information relevant to county staff about the client side of PEAK. That’s a “big plan” that won’t be ready for a while yet, but we also understand that right now more than ever, you’re probably seeing an uptick in PEAK use.
So, we thought it could be useful to offer:
- Weekly PEAK Office Hours for you to ask us any questions you have.
- Every Thursday in June from 1 p.m. – 2pm
- Click this link to join the Zoom meetings: PEAK Office Hours
- We will use screen sharing, so be sure you join the web-based version of the call
- A few bite-sized bits of information related to commonly asked questions
- Resources for you to see what clients see in PEAK
- June 4: 1 p.m. to 2 p.m.
- June 11: 1 p.m. to 2 p.m.
- June 18: 1 p.m. to 2 p.m.
- June 25: 1 p.m. to 2 p.m.
We hope to see you on the PEAK Office Hours!!
New Training: Income Data Entry Labs
The SDC announced the new virtual instructor-led training (VILT)
Income Data Entry Lab
. Since the announcement at the beginning of May, all 12 sessions scheduled have been filled to capacity! This is exciting news and due to the popular demand, we have been able to add two additional sessions in the month of June. If those fill up as well, we will plan to release another schedule for July sessions.
Training Summary:
Users will be able to practice data entry of Income with a live trainer using various scenarios for all high level program groups (HLPGs). The Income Data Entry Lab curriculum consists of required courses that must be completed prior to registering for the virtual sessions. This training will reinforce the information included in the prerequisite training.
Added June Training Dates:
- June 9: 12:30 p.m. - 3:30 p.m.
- June 23: 12:30 p.m. - 3:30 p.m.
Registration
: Click this link to complete the curriculum for
Income Data Entry Lab
.
Users will need to complete the required prerequisites in order to attend the instructor-led sessions. After clicking the provided link, you will be directed to the sign-in page for
CoLearn
,
where you will need to sign in with your login credentials. After signing in, you will then be directed to the Training Details to begin your training.
New Regional Training Representative (RTR) Assignment
As you know, the SDC implemented a RTR model early last year with one of the main goals to coordinate and facilitate training within the region to ensure you and your team are getting the most current and accurate information about training. Over the past year, you and your staff have been working closely with your RTR regarding all your training needs.
In effort to better support our Eligibility Site partners, we have adjusted the Regional Map assignment and your SDC RTR may have changed.
This link of our updated Regional Map identifies the Regional Training Representative for your eligibility site
(County and Medical Assistance Sites (MA Sites)). The RTR team will be working closely together to make sure your county continues to receive any support that was previously agreed upon. Also, if you have a new RTR, they will be reaching out to you individually to introduce themselves. If you have not already conducted an initial Eligibility Site training visit with your previous RTR, your new RTR will be scheduling a new one in the upcoming weeks.
Additionally, we would like to announce DeAnna Griffith as our newest member of the SDC Regional Training Representative team! DeAnna comes to us with many years of Human Services experience, most recently as a State Policy Representative. DeAnna will be responsible for Region 2, which are the counties indicated in Pink on the attached map.
If you have any questions about this new assignment, please let us know. We look forward to working with you!
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Non-Emergent Medical Transportation (NEMT) Statewide Expansion Update
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A contract has been awarded to the vendor,
IntelliRide
, to begin managing NEMT benefit for all counties in Colorado.
Expanding management of the NEMT benefit to one statewide broker will help us improve customer service to both our members and our county partners. By moving to a single statewide vendor, the state is able to ensure more consistent, streamlined operations and infrastructure, including improved access for members and reduced administrative burden for counties. We are not changing or terminating the NEMT benefit. This is only a change to NEMT administration.
IntelliRide already operates in nine counties and is working to expand its network to the rest of the state as quickly as possible. Although the contract is effective July 1, 2020, IntelliRide may experience delays in credentialing providers in some counties because of logistical constraints due to COVID-19. Because of this, counties will continue to provide NEMT services to members until IntelliRide is fully operational in their county. The timeline for this transition will vary from county to county to ensure no interruption to members’ NEMT benefit.
County administrators of NEMT can continue to bill for NEMT services delivered until the transition occurs and will be paid using already established administrative funding. The Department, which oversees the NEMT benefit, will work closely with counties and IntelliRide to track progress and determine where additional support is needed.
The Department is providing regular updates at county directors meetings and a monthly NEMT administrators call. If you have questions about the transition, email
NEMT@state.co.us
.
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Substance Use Disorder (SUD) Benefit Delay
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Given the recent spread and response to COVID-19, the Department has made the difficult decision to delay the effective date of the SUD benefits intended through House Bill (HC) 18-1136 until January 2021. This six-month delay will enable the Department to free up capacity and budget and allow our partners to respond to the current public health crisis caused by COVID-19. More information is available on the Department's COVID
website
.
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Recent Memo Series Issued to Counties
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PM 20-003
The purpose for this policy memo is to communicate to eligibility sites how the three new unemployment programs provided under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act are counted for income eligibility for the Medical Assistance based eligibility categories.
PM 20-002
The purpose of this Policy Memo is to inform eligibility sites of the income and resource eligibility rules for the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act Recovery Rebate (also known as COVID-19 Economic Stimulus). This memo includes guidance for all Medical Assistance eligibility categories. Please share this memo with all eligibility staff, supervisors, and outside agencies, as appropriate
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OM 20-060
The purpose of this Operational Memo is to provide clarification for Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) Community Connector (CC) and Supported Community Connections (SCC) Providers and Case Management Agencies (CMAs) on temporary changes approved by the Department of Health Care Policy & Financing (Department) in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
OM 20-058
The purpose of this Operational Memo is to inform county departments of human/social services of operational instructions to code expenditures to county administration during the COVID-19 public health emergency.
OM 20-057
The purpose of this Operational Memo is to inform HCBS Day Program Service Providers and CMAs of required provisions in the resumption of Day Program Services in a congregate setting. These provisions are applicable to the following services:
- Adult Day Services
- Day Habilitation
- Day Treatment for the Brain Injury Waiver
- Prevocational Services
- Supported Employment – Group
OM 20-056
The purpose of this Operational Memo is to inform Transition Coordination Agencies (TCA) of temporary changes to transition coordination activities as outlined in 10 CCR 2505-10, 8.763.C. These changes are specific to TCM-TC.
OM 20-055
This Operational Memo is for county administrators, and any State Designated Entity, or contractor who administers the NEMT benefit, as well as transportation providers who operate vehicles under NEMT. The purpose of this memo is to make transportation providers aware of new requirements to prevent the spread of COVID-19 and protect the health and safety of Health First Colorado members.
OM 20-053
The purpose of this Operational Memo is to inform CMAs and providers of temporary operational changes to the Level of Care Assessment requirements for certain programs based on Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) guidance in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
OM 20-052
This operational memo details changes to the way the Department will authorize enrollments into the Home and Community Based Services for Persons with Developmental Disabilities (HCBS-DD) waiver from the waiting list when one time appropriations are made by the Colorado General Assembly for enrollment authorizations.
The audience for this memo is CMAs and CCBs. The Department strongly encourages CMAs and CCBs to reach out directly to Individuals with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (I/DD), their families, advocates and any community member interested in the HCBS-DD waiver waiting list to explain how these changes may impact their ability to access services and supports in the HCBS-DD waiver.
OM 20-050
The purpose of this Operational Memo is to inform Providers and Case Management Agencies of temporary rate increases in response to the COVID-19 pandemic for Nursing Facilities and Intermediate Care Facilities for Individuals with Intellectual Disabilities (ICF-IID). The service, corresponding rate increase, and any additional requirements to receive the increase will be found below.
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IM 20-022
The purpose of this Memo is to inform county departments of human/social services of grant funding available through the FY 2020-21 County Grant Program.
IM 20-020
The purpose of this Informational Memo is to provide notice to all Case Management Agencies and Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) Provider Agencies of an upcoming training developed by The Department of Health Care Policy & Financing (Department) entitled “Incident Management and Prevention Strategies”.
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Health First Colorado Eligibility Email Address Change
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When the Department migrated to gmail in January, the email address for the Health First Colorado Eligibility inbox changed. The new email address is
hcpf_medicaid.eligibility@state.co.us
. If you sent an email to the old email address and have not received a response, please re-send your message to the new email address.
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New Website Launches to Help Address Health Care Workforce Shortages and Improve Care
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Many health care providers have experienced significant disruptions due to the COVID-19 pandemic. To support both employers and health care workers, The Department of Health Care Policy & Financing,
ADvancing States
and
Centene Corporation
have created a website that helps connect residential care facilities and health care workers looking for a new position.
ConnectToCareJobs.com
provides facilities and job seekers with an easy way to connect. The online tool pairs licensed and/or trained health care workers or support staff with facilities that need their specific skills.
Registration
If you are a representative of a licensed residential care facility in Colorado, you must take additional steps prior to registering on the site. Licensed residential care facilities have received a message in their CDPHE provider portal with a link to complete a survey. Facility representatives must complete the survey before attempting to register on the ConnectToCareJobs site. After completing the survey, you will receive an email inviting you to register on the site. The email invitation will be sent to the email address submitted on the survey.
The only licensed facilities that are able to access the site now are: Skilled Nursing Facilities, Assisted Living Residences, Intermediate Care Facilities, and Residential Care Facilities.
If you are a job seeker, you may go directly to the site and register now.
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Hospital Transformation Program (HTP) Update
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HQIP update
The Hospital Quality Incentive Payment (HQIP) Program Data Collection Tool (DCT)) opened to users on May 1. In light of COVID-19, the Data Collection period has been extended an additional 30 days until June 30, 2020. We held a DCT training webinar on April 29, 2020. That webinar was recorded and can be found along with additional information on the Department
HQIP website
.
Community Advisory Council
A Community Advisory Council meeting was held on April 24. Council members used the time to talk about the best ways to continue community engagement during the COVID-19 pandemic. Meeting notes can be found on the
Community Advisory Council website
next week. The council plans to meet again in late June and details will be forthcoming in this newsletter.
COVID-19 Resources from the Department
The Department of Health Care Policy & Financing (Department) has created a COVID-19 resource center for various audiences, including providers, at
colorado.gov/hcpf/covid
. Additionally, the Department has created a weekly update for providers, stakeholders, community partners and staff containing updates from the Department about the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19). If you'd like to opt-in to receive this newsletter, please go to the Department's
newsletter sign-up webpage
, complete the form with your contact in
For additional information, we encourage stakeholders to visit
the HTP website
as well as read past editions of the HTP Newsletter and HTP communications in
our online archives
. Please contact
Courtney Ronner
, Hospital Relations and Communication Manager, with any questions.
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The Hospital Backup Unit (HBU) program supports qualified skilled nursing facilities in providing
hospital
level care to clients who are ventilator dependent, have complex wounds, or have medically complex needs.
If a county department of human/social services receives a referral for the Hospital Backup Unit (HBU) program, they can reach out to their Single Entry Point (SEP) and
Heleena Hufnagel
at the Department if help is needed with documentation, coordination with the family, or other necessary steps.
Often, HBU placements will not occur until after financial approval is verified. Prioritization of these referrals is important to help move them from Intensive Care Unit placements to a skilled nursing facility.
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Public Rule Review Meeting
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Public Rule Review meetings
are an opportunity for stakeholders to have one-on-one conversation with the Department's rule author regarding draft rules.
Public Rule Review meetings take place on the second Monday after the second Friday of each month. Stakeholders can attend in person or can e-mail feedback to the rule author before the rule goes to the Medical Services Board (MSB).
This does not take the place of public testimony at the MSB meeting and anyone who wishes is invited to come to the meeting to address the Board directly.
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County Grants & County Incentives Programs
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Electronic Signatures for County Contracts
The Department is transitioning from physical signatures on all contracts to electronic signatures for all Department contracts effective immediately. The program is called DocuSign and
requires each agency provide the Department with the email address of your agency's authorized Signor.
This means physical signatures will not be required for the FY 20-21 County Incentives contract. The Department will reach out in the coming months with specific instructions for county human/social services departments for next year's contracts.
FY 2019-20 County Incentive Program
New Resources
- Monthly Aggregate data for the Food Security Incentive be found on the County Admin webpage under "Incentives Program Data"
- March Case Maintenance Data reports have been posted to the County Admin webpage under "Incentives Program Data"
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County Grant Program
- FY 2020-2021 Grant Program Applications are now available on the County Administration website. Applications are due June 12, 2020.
- Year End Report Out Reschedule: The Q4 Year End Report Out will be June 24. Reach out to Rahem Mulatu if you have questions.
MA Supervisor Backlog Targeted Grant
- Please submit monthly progress reports so we can track outcomes and expenditures.
- If there are counties that haven’t spent their MA supervisor funding, let us know so we can reallocate that to others that do.
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Timeliness for April 2020
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Timeliness for all Medical Assistance
applications
was measured at
94.52 percent
.
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Timeliness for all Medical Assistance
redeterminations
was measured at
98.10 percent
.
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Department Contacts & Resources
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Colorado Dept. of Health Care Policy & Financing
(303) 866-2993 | 1570 Grant Street, Denver, CO 80203
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